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Honor the Past and Celebrate Life at Día de Muertos at Seattle Center
The free, family-oriented event returns to Seattle Center, November 1 & 2
SEATTLE— Celebrate Day of the Dead and honor loved ones at Día de Muertos Festival Seattle at Seattle Center on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2, from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall as part of the Seattle Center Festál series. The free, family-friendly event offers an opportunity for the community to come together, remember departed loved ones, celebrate life, and honor the legacy of ancestors.
Rooted in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations from Aztec to Toltec, Día de Muertos — or “Day of the Dead” — brings forward pre-colonial traditions of reflection and joy, blending remembrance with celebration. The Armory will transform into a colorful space filled with art, music, dance, and food, honoring the spirits of departed loved ones. Rather than a day to mourn, Día de Muertos is a time to celebrate death as an integral, ever-present part of life.
Festival highlights include:
• Tapete (sand painting) installation with intricate, hand-crafted designs.
• Community ofrenda (altar) where visitors can place photographs and mementos in honor of loved ones.
• Sugar skull workshops, face painting, traditional music, and dance for all ages.
• Authentic Mexican food showcasing the rich culinary traditions of Día de Muertos.
“Día de Muertos Festival Seattle celebrates one of Mexico’s most beautiful traditions, a bridge between memory and life, where we honor our ancestors and remember that love never dies,” said Barbara Rodriguez, Día de Muertos Festival Seattle co-producer.
This festival is part of the Festál series of 25 cultural festivals presented by community groups and hosted by Seattle Center throughout the year to embrace the region’s ethnic diversity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the cultures that contribute to the vibrancy of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.
About Día de Muertos Festival Seattle
In 1998, a group of volunteers gathered to plan the first Day of the Dead in South Park. The celebration expanded from Concord Elementary School to other venues in the same area until 2003, when the festival moved to Seattle Center. Volunteers who believed in preserving the celebration as a legacy to future generations worked hard to produce the festival. In 2013, a new committee was formed and continued the mission of enriching the cultural value to the community and the Puget Sound at large.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál is a unique public program series of 25 free cultural festivals, each offering its own celebration of heritage and identity. These events provide a range of engaging programs and activities to cultivate a deeper understanding of the diversity of our region. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with community groups, presented on weekends from January to November and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, and 4Culture. Festál is also part of the ArtsFund Cultural Partners Network.
About Seattle Center — The Cultural Heart of the Pacific Northwest
Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of the city. It is home to more than 30 partner organizations—including Climate Pledge Arena, KEXP, MOPOP, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Opera, Pacific Science Center, SIFF, and many others—alongside world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events for all ages, centered around the iconic International Fountain.
As a department of the City of Seattle and anchor of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District, Seattle Center serves as a hub for creative expression, cultural diversity, and civic life. It also manages the City’s new Waterfront Park in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, delivering cultural programming, operations, and civic care on Seattle’s revitalized downtown waterfront.
In 2025, Seattle Center is projected to generate over $900 million in visitor spending, contribute more than $2 billion in total regional economic impact, and support more than 18,600 jobs. With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest. www.seattlecenter.com
