All Soul’s Procession

Various downtown locations
www.allsoulsprocession.org [1]

Something like 20,000 people participate in this unique local tradition, now 20 years old, based on the rites and folk art of Mexico’s Day of the Dead. A local arts collective organizes the colorful and creative nonmotorized parade through downtown, featuring giant puppets and other Mexican-inspired folk arts handmade by participants.

The whole thing culminates in a big ceremonial fire and a “dance of the dead.” The All Soul’s Weekend (the first full weekend of November), with the parade and bonfire its finale, features several like-minded events, like arts shows, poetry readings, and a kids’ parade.