Day of the Dead Procession and Event
Get in the Spirit
Discover magic. Experience the unforgettable spectacle of Tubac’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration. Also known as "Day of the Dead”, Día de los Muertos is the tradition of celebrating and sharing memories of loved ones who have passed.
Ofrendas, or altars, are set up by many in Mexico and southern Arizona and adorned with items that the dead enjoyed while they were alive. In the procession, trunks of cars were set up showing off ofrendas with pictures to honor dead family and friends accompanied with drinks, sweets and bread that their dead loved ones used to enjoy.
Whether this is your first time hearing about Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos and are new to the tradition or you participate every year, everyone is welcome to commemorate this celebration of life in Tubac.
8AM TO 2PM Face Painting
Face Painting Locations:
Casa Maya de Mexico, 14 Tubac Road, Gaby Centeno, Owner
Lincoln Wilson, Owner of Tubac Old World Imports, 8 am to 10 am
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park & Museum, 1 Burruel Street, Jorge Zamorano and Montserrath Reyes, 8 am to 12 pm
Untamed Confections, La Entrada de Tubac in front of store, 10 am to 2 pm
11AM Procession through Tubac:
Starting at the Tubac Presidio Historic State Park and Museum.
NHS Mariachi Apache, Aztek Dancers, Nogales High School Marching Band, Local Families and more. All are welcome to enjoy the procession along the route or to join the procession itself.
12PM Grand Finale:
Grand Finale of the procession walking over the metal pedestrian footbridge into the K Newby Gallery Sculpture Garden and the burning of the intentions in the bonfire with a short concert by NHS Mariachi Apache.
Enjoy the rest of the day visiting booths, food trucks, restaurants, shops, and the Ofrendas located at businesses throughout the village including the car trunk altars in town.
Ofrendas/Altars are located in Tubac November 1 - November 5
Tubac Road Altars:
Art of Beauty Salon, 10 Tubac Road
Lone Mountain Turquoise Co., 11 Tubac Road
Casa Maya de Mexico, 14 Tubac Road
K Newby Gallery, 15 Tubac Road
Bruce Baughman Gallery (Pet Altar), 19 Tubac Road
On the Edge Contemporary Gallery, 19 Tubac Road
Cactus Wren Art Gallery, 19 Tubac Road
Cobalt Gallery, 22 Tubac Road
Tubac Healing Arts Center, 26 Tubac Road
Plaza Road Altars:
Tubac Old World Imports, 7 Plaza Road
Tubac Center of the Arts, 9 Plaza Road
Feminine Mystique, La Entrada de Tubac Plaza Road
Untamed Confections, La Entrada de Tubac Plaza Road
Camino Otero Altars:
Cobalt Gallery, 5 Camino Otero
Quilts Limited, 7 Camino Otero
Joan of Arts Gallery, 11 Camino Otero
Burruel Street Altars:
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, 1 Burruel Street
The Tubac Historical Society, 6 Burruel Street
Will Rogers Lane:The Country Shop, 1 Will Rogers Lane
Tumacacori Altar:
Wisdom's Cafe, 1931 E. Frontage Rd, Tumacácori
Calle Baca Altars:
Tumacookery, La Entrada de Tubac
El Barrio Kitchen, La Entrada de Tubac
Horses in Motion, La Entrada de Tubac
Turquoise Tortoise Gallery, 5 Calle Baca
Food Trucks:
Picositos de Kika, Candy, Enchilosos, Chamoy and More, 12 Tubac Road
Santa Cruz Training Program, Baked Goods, 12 Tubac Road
Krazy Koyote Kettle Corn, 11 Tubac Road
A&S Sonoran Hot Dogs,14 Tubac Road
Bad Apple Caramel Apples, 14 Tubac Road
Abe's Tumacacori Bar, Birria, 15 Tubac Road
Having A Cow Ice Cream, 15 Tubac Road
Special Events:
Wisdom's Cafe, Tequila Tasting Flight Special, 1931 E. Frontage Road, Tumacacori
Casa Maya de Mexico, Day of the Dead Bath Bombs by Brujeria Apothecary plus Woodworking by Chris, 14 Tubac RoadDonna's Salon-The Art of of Beauty, Day of the Dead Jewelry by Lilana, 10 Tubac Road
The Country Shop, Monumental Skull on Display from artists featured on the show "Halloween Wars," 1 Will Rogers Lane
Pop Up Flea Market Supporting Wisdom's Sports & Scholars, 2231 E. Frontage Road
Untamed Confections, Free Sipping Chocolate (Spicy or Plain), Special Dia de los Muertos Assorted Peruvian Organic Chocolates Available for Purchase (pictured below):
Procession Intentions - Where to Write Your IntentionsWrite down what your intentions are, what you are grieving, releasing, celebrating, embracing, remembering...then place them to be released into the bonfire at the grand finale of the procession. Bring your own intentions already written or submit your intentions at the following locations throughout the Village:
Casa Maya de Mexico, 14 Tubac Road
Feminine Mystique Art Gallery, La Entrada de Tubac
K Newby Gallery, 15 Tubac Road
Tubac Center of the Arts, 9 Plaza Road
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park and Museum, 1 Burruel Street,
Wisdom's Cafe, 1931 E Frontage Road, Tumacacori
Common Questions
What is Día de los Muertos?
Also known as “Day of the Dead”, Día de los Muertos is a tradition-filled day during which families remember the departed and share memories of loved ones. To celebrate their lives, friends and family participate in a variety of activities including lively processions and parades, and traditional dress and altar building.
What are all the items on the altars?
Sugar skulls, tamales, Pan de Muerto and more can all be found on Día de los Muertos altars.
What are the Catrines & Catrinas?
Skeleton figures, especially elegantly dressed men (catrines) and women (catrinas), remind us that we are all equal in death.