What’s new in Scottsdale this fall?
The 10th annual Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas takes over Scottsdale Civic Center (3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd.) on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 1 to 10 p.m. Admission is free, and GRAMMY-nominated artist Lupita Infante headlines at 8 p.m. A multi-day art installation runs October 22 to 25.
By Dr. Kevin Shufford | September 27, 2026
Mark your calendar now, because this one’s a milestone. Scottsdale’s Día de los Muertos Fiestas turns 10 this year, and organizers are going big for the anniversary. The full festival lands in Old Town on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and you won’t pay a thing to get in.
I confirmed the date, times, and lineup on the official Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas site and in Visit Phoenix’s fall festivals guide, which lists the October 24 celebration at Scottsdale Civic Center with Lupita Infante as the special guest.
Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas 2026: the schedule
Here’s how the day (and the week) breaks down, per the organizers at LORE Media & Arts:
- Art Installation Experience, October 22 to 25, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.: large-scale Day of the Dead art activations and altars spread across Scottsdale Civic Center. Great if you’d rather stroll on a quiet weeknight.
- Fiesta de Muertos Festival, October 24, 1 to 10 p.m.: live music all day, plus food, arts, crafts, and local merchants.
- Catrina Fashion Show, 5 p.m.: Catrina-inspired looks on parade. There’s also a Catrina Fashion Contest open to individuals, couples, families, and even participants with their dogs.
- Desfile de los Muertos procession, 7 p.m.: the evening procession honoring the memory of loved ones. This is the heart of the celebration.
- Lupita Infante, 8 p.m.: the GRAMMY-nominated singer closes the night as this year’s special guest.
Organizers also announced a PhotoWalk with photographer Gus Mejia Arte during the October 24 festivities, so bring your camera if you’ve been wanting better shots of the altars and costumes.
Why it’s worth the trip to Old Town
Día de los Muertos isn’t Halloween. It’s a centuries-old Mexican and Mesoamerican tradition of remembering family and friends who’ve passed, with marigolds, candles, food offerings, and a whole lot of music. Scottsdale’s version has grown into one of the Valley’s most photographed fall events, and the Civic Center setting (lawns, sculptures, and walkable paths between the library and the Center for the Performing Arts) makes it easy to spend an entire afternoon.
A few tips so you enjoy it more:
- Come early for the art, stay late for the procession. The installation looks completely different in daylight and candlelight.
- Plan your parking. Old Town fills up fast on a Saturday night in late October. Arriving before the 5 p.m. fashion show gives you the best shot at a spot.
- Grab dinner nearby. You’re steps from Old Town’s restaurant row, so it’s an easy date night or family outing.
Also on the calendar: Taco Fest, October 17 and 18
If you want to warm up the week before, Taco Fest returns to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick (7555 N. Pima Road) on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Both the official Taco Fest AZ site and Salt River Fields’ event page confirm the dates.
This year’s lineup includes Food Network chefs Aarón Sánchez, Maria Mazon, and Beau MacMillan, with James Beard Award-winning taco writer José R. Ralat as head judge. Kids 12 and under get in free, parking is free, and organizers say many taco vendors will offer at least one taco for $5 or less. Tickets are sold online only, and prices go up on the day of the event, so buy ahead.
Put the two together and you’ve got back-to-back weekends of some of the best food, music, and culture Scottsdale does all year.
Events like these are one more reason Scottsdale keeps drawing buyers from across the Valley and out of state. If you’re curious what it’s like to live within walking distance of Old Town, or anywhere else in Scottsdale, that’s my world. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for.
Sources: Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Fiestas (official), Visit Phoenix: Phoenix Fall Festivals, Taco Fest AZ (official), Salt River Fields: Taco Fest. Details are accurate as of September 27, 2026. Check the official sites before you go in case anything changes.
Dr. Kevin Shufford holds a PhD in Communication and is a professor who teaches how to have healthy relationships, skills he brings to his real estate practice. As a licensed real estate agent and mortgage loan officer serving the Phoenix metro and Southern California, Kevin operates as The Property Professor under Real Broker and One Real Mortgage. Work with Kevin at thepropertyprofessor.blog or call 480-725-4658.
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