Día de los Muertos in Tucson and the All Souls Procession

The All Souls Procession began in 1990 as a performance piece by Tucson artist Susan Johnson, who was grieving her father. It has grown into one of the most moving nights of the year, with more than 150,000 people taking part. It's produced by Many Mouths One Stomach, a nonprofit arts collective, with more than 200 volunteers, and 2026 is its 37th year.

It isn't a parade you watch from the curb. The organizers describe it as a funeral, and people walk it together, many in face paint, carrying photos, flowers, signs and handmade tributes to the people they've lost. Anyone who is grieving is welcome to join.

How the night works

People gather on Grande Avenue in Barrio Hollywood, near Speedway, from 4 PM. At 6 PM the procession heads south on Grande to Congress Street, then turns into the Mercado District. At the front, volunteers pull the Urn, a large steel sculpture, and collect written remembrances from people along the route. At the finale in the Mercado District, the remembrances in the Urn are burned during a closing ceremony.

If you'd like to add a remembrance, write it on paper. The organizers ask for paper only, no plastic.

Taking part respectfully

• Bring a photo or memento of someone you're honoring. Walking with one is the heart of it.
• Give people space to grieve. Don't crowd others, block driveways or step on neighbors' gardens, and take your trash with you.
• The organizers are clear that it's not a political event, and they ask people not to come drunk or high.
• Stay off the streetcar tracks, and keep the finale entrance at Congress and Avenida del Convento clear.
• We'd also ask before photographing anyone up close. This is a memorial, not a costume party.

Getting there and back

• Park downtown and walk over. The Sun Link streetcar is free all day Sunday, and Sun Tran adds extra service on Route 22.
• Rideshare pickup points are at Grande and Congress, Cushing and Grande, and the ramada near the freeway.
• Wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and a charged phone or flashlight. Restrooms are few.
• With small kids or a dog, consider joining along the route instead of at the crowded start.
• Accessible seating is near the finale stage. Check in with an usher before 6:45 PM.
• Can't make it? Visit Tucson hosts a livestream.

More of the weekend

• Community Altar: free and open around the clock at the MSA Annex entrance on Avenida del Convento, with a dedication on Monday, November 2, at 6 PM.
• Procession of Little Angels: a free procession for children on Saturday afternoon, November 7, at Literacy Connects (200 E. Yavapai Rd.), with wing decorating and face paint.
• Vendors set up at the finale site in the Mercado District on procession day.

Día de los Muertos around town

• Tucson Botanical Gardens holds a Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1, 10 AM–1 PM, free with garden admission.
• The Presidio Museum downtown (196 N. Court Ave.) has a community ofrendas (altars) exhibit through November 8, open 10 AM–4 PM.