IMAS Brings Día de los Muertos to Life with Festival & Community Altars

A fun-filled day of art, music, crafts, and cultural traditions for the whole family 

McAllen, TX — The International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS) invites the community to honor loved ones and celebrate cultural traditions at its annual Día de los Muertos Festival & Market on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The festival is supported by H-E-B Helping Here, reinforcing IMAS’s commitment to community engagement and cultural celebration.

The festival is a day-long celebration of art, music, food, and community. General admission includes access to the festival, hands-on activities including a community piñata-fied mural, the museum’s exhibits, artisan vendors, and the Community Altars Exhibition, while IMAS Members attend free of charge.

At the heart of the celebration is the Community Altars Exhibition, on view from October 1 through November 2. This year’s theme, “Changemakers: Honoring Legacies of Impact,” honors individuals who have shaped the world through the arts, sciences, and beyond. Each altar tells a story of inspiration and remembrance, inviting visitors to reflect on the legacies of these changemakers.

IMAS visitors will have the opportunity to contribute to a colorful community art project at this year’s Día de los Muertos Festival alongside artist Josue Ramirez, whose work will be featured in the exhibition Piñatabstract opening on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at IMAS. Working collaboratively with the artist, visitors will apply colorful strips of tissue paper onto a base creating a pinata mural portraying an altar adorned with a sugar skull, candles, and marigolds. This community art project will take place at the museum adjacent to the Ann Moore Art Studio and is supported in part by an Arts Create grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of hands-on activities throughout the museum, including a community piñata altar wall, tin art creation, and crafting butterflies for the “Loved One Wall” in the Discovery Pavilion. Decorating a sugar skull is available for an additional $5, while supplies last. Lotería games will run throughout the day, adding a festive touch for all ages.

Live performances will fill the museum with music and dance, featuring UTRGV Ballet Folklórico, Academia Folklorica Vamaya, and Mission Parks & Recreation Folklórico. Meanwhile, the Market at the Museum in the courtyard offers handmade goods and traditional foods from local vendors and food trucks.

“Día de los Muertos at IMAS represents more than a festival; it’s a celebration of memory, legacy, and togetherness,” said Roni Cortez, Director of Education at IMAS. “We take pride in offering a space where art, culture, and community flourish.”

For more information about Día de los Muertos Festival & Market at the Museum, visit theimasonline.org.