The customs of Día de los Muertos were on full display at Friday’s opening of Muertos Fest as the festival returned to Hemisfair Park for its 14th annual celebration.
Among the event’s most prominent features are its community-built ofrendas, or altars decorated traditionally with offerings and photographs of those who have passed. The displays are central to Día de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration centered on the belief that departed spirits return to the living world.
Muertos Mercado co-creator Cristina Martinez said the event showcases more than 90 altars built by local community members, alongside more than 90 businesses representing San Antonio and the surrounding region.
“Altars are the heart of this fest,” Martinez told the Current. “People are honoring their ancestors; they’re honoring pets, so that is really the beauty of Muertos Fest.”
Coordinating the event takes months of preparation, Martinez said. Organizers begin working on the next festival almost immediately after the current celebration’s conclusion.
While Mexican traditions have long been part of San Antonio’s history, Martinez emphasized that maintaining the holiday’s cultural authenticity carries substantial weight in organizing the festival.
“It is worth knowing that Día de los Muertos started in Latin America and Mexico, but not everybody gets to go home, especially in these times,” Martinez said. “It is super important to be respectful and be as authentic as we can possibly be in San Antonio.”
Among the festival’s altar builders were a group of music therapists and therapeutic recreation specialists from Mercedes, Texas. Titled “100 años, un ciclo de música fronteriza,” the ofrenda honors deceased musicians from communities along the Texas-Mexico border.
Participant Maria Oyoque said the display uses elements from both sides of the Rio Grande border, pairing a variety of pictures from Rio Grande Valley community members with Mesoamerican elements.
“Centering music in our ofrenda was really important because, as music therapists, we recognize the power of music throughout generations to keep our stories, culture and people alive,” Oyoque said.
Some displays use the tradition to raise awareness of social issues associated with loss.
Marking their fourth consecutive appearance at Muertos Fest, Air Force Veteran Gabe Gonzalez and his wife constructed an altar dedicated to military veterans who died from suicide. The altar is associated with Gonzalez’s nonprofit Operation Solace, which advocates expanding veteran access to alternative medical treatments.
“I’m a suicide survivor myself, and it’s very important to me that we honor those who have lost their battle with demons,” he said.
The altar commemorates service members through a display of photographs alongside a glass case of around 1,000 dog tags — representing only a small number of veterans who lost their lives to suicide, according to Gonzalez.
For those unfamiliar with the Muertos Fest, Martinez suggests downloading the festival’s app, which includes a schedule, map, and other information necessary to plan the weekend. Further information about the festival is available on its website.
“Take in the altar, take in the music.” Martinez said. “It’s a huge gift, a huge love letter to San Antonio.”
Muertos Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. It’s free to attend.
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