Find Día de Muertos celebrations across Iowa from Oct. 23 through Nov. 8, including free museum festivals, community ofrendas, music, dance and family activities.
By Hola Iowa
Updated Oct. 21, 2026.
Day of the Dead celebrations continue across Iowa through Nov. 8, with upcoming events in Des Moines, Davenport, Sioux City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown, Muscatine and other communities. Many of the activities are free, including museum celebrations, public ofrendas, art exhibitions and family programs.
Rooted in Mexican tradition, Día de Muertos honors loved ones who have died through remembrance, family gatherings and shared cultural practices. Ofrendas often feature photographs, flowers, candles, food and personal objects associated with the people being remembered.
Among this year’s larger celebrations are the Des Moines Art Center’s 26th annual Día de Muertos event on Nov. 1 and the Figge Art Museum’s free Day of the Dead Family Fiesta in Davenport the same day. Additional programs take place throughout the final week of October, and exhibitions remain open into November.
Oct. 31–Nov. 8 — Día de Muertos events in Des Moines
Nov. 1 — Des Moines Art Center’s 26th annual celebration
The Des Moines Art Center will host its 26th annual Día de Muertos celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 4700 Grand Ave., Des Moines.
The theme, ¡Sí Se Puede!, highlights civil and human rights and the legacy of the phrase associated with labor leader Dolores Huerta. This year’s community ofrenda honors Felicia Timotea Leon Mullin, whose life and work will also be featured in a short documentary.
The free program includes a community ofrenda, bilingual storytelling, Mariachi Los Aguilares, KonKultura Dance, additional live music, art activities, vendors and a Catrina photo area. Hot cocoa and samples of pan de muerto will be available while supplies last.
Scheduled highlights include bilingual storytelling at 11:15 a.m., a mariachi procession at 11:30 a.m., documentary screenings and KonKultura performances beginning at noon and again at 2 p.m.
Admission is free, and registration is not required. A complimentary shuttle will run between Merrill Middle School and the Art Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oct. 31 — Community celebration and health screenings
MyHealthIowa–MiSaludIowa and community partners will host a Día de los Muertos community celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Carver Community School, 705 E. University Ave., Suite 100.
The family-friendly program includes cultural activities, music, food and community resources. MyHealthIowa–MiSaludIowa will also provide free blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screenings, along with health education.
Nov. 2 — Day of the Dead at Des Moines Central Library
The Des Moines Public Library’s Día de Muertos celebration is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave.
The event, presented with Latinx Immigrants of Iowa, includes an ofrenda, Catrina displays, dance performances, a screening of Coco, a community resource fair, tamales, pan de muerto and Mexican hot chocolate. The library also lists free flu shots for children among the activities.
The event is open to all ages. Readers can consult the library’s event listing for current program details.
Nov. 8 — Honoring the Spirit at the Des Moines Art Center
The Art Center will conclude its Día de Muertos programming with Honoring the Spirit: A Day of the Dead Ofrenda Conversation on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. in Levitt Auditorium, 4700 Grand Ave.
The conversation will examine remembrance, community traditions and civil rights through this year’s ofrenda, created by artist and poet Michaela Mullin in honor of her mother, Felicia Leon Mullin.
Participants include Mullin; historian and filmmaker Vince Valdez; Erica Johnson of Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice; and Karina Sanchez of the Des Moines Civil and Human Rights Commission, who will lead a brief Know Your Rights presentation. Mia Buch of the Art Center will moderate.
Admission is free, and no registration is required.
Oct. 26–Nov. 1 — Community ofrendas and a free family fiesta in Davenport
Oct. 26–30 — Family Resources community altar
Family Resources will display a community Día de los Muertos altar from Oct. 26 through Oct. 30 at 1414 W. Lombard St., Davenport.
The display honors people who died as a result of domestic violence and other violent crimes. Community members are invited to contribute photographs of family members, friends or pets they wish to remember.
The organization’s listing identifies the dates and location but does not provide separate public visiting hours. Anyone planning to visit should confirm access with Family Resources.
Oct. 29 — Mexican Roots Exhibition Talk at the Figge
The Figge Art Museum will present a Mexican Roots Exhibition Talk on Thursday, Oct. 29, with the program beginning at 6 p.m.
The talk explores the museum’s Mexican Roots: Masks, Prints and Traditional Arts of Mexico exhibition. Thursday museum admission is free from 4 to 8 p.m.
Nov. 1 — Free Day of the Dead Family Fiesta at the Figge
The Figge Art Museum’s Day of the Dead Family Fiesta returns Sunday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m. at 225 W. Second St., Davenport.
Admission is free during the event. Visitors can explore the community ofrenda, see Catrinas throughout the galleries and visit the Mexican Roots exhibition.
Crafts and face painting are scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. Performances include Glenview Mariachi from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Danza West Liberty at 1:30 p.m. and Quad City Ballet Folklorico at 2:30 p.m.
The celebration is presented in partnership with LULAC Council 10 and Hola America/Hola Iowa.
Related: Mexican Roots brings centuries of art, tradition and imagination to the Figge this fall.
Through Nov. 1 — Sioux City Public Museum displays Día de Muertos altars
The Sioux City Public Museum’s Noche de Ofrendas exhibition is on display through Sunday, Nov. 1, at 607 Fourth St., Sioux City.
This year’s theme focuses on candles, light and the relationships people maintain with loved ones who have died. The display includes altars created by community members and paper candles made by local students.
Admission is free. Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Two additional programs are scheduled:
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30–8:15 p.m.: Bailando Ritmos Latinos en El Museo, with music by DJ Tapatío and dance instruction by Yoelvis Rodriguez. Admission is free.
- Sunday, Nov. 1, 1–4 p.m.: A free Día de Muertos celebration featuring music, dance, face painting, children’s crafts and refreshments.
Through Nov. 8 — Cedar Rapids hosts Día de Muertos art exhibition
CSPS Hall’s second annual Día de los Muertos group exhibition continues through Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1103 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids.
The exhibition opened Oct. 8 and brings together artwork connected to remembrance and cultural traditions surrounding Día de Muertos.
Admission to the galleries is free. Published gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Oct. 23–27 — Día de Muertos activities in Iowa City
The Iowa City Public Library will host Honoring Life and Memory: Celebrate Día de Muertos at the Library on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at 123 S. Linn St.
The public event includes a community ofrenda, art, storytelling and food. The library’s program is intended to bring families and community members together through remembrance and cultural traditions.
Earlier, on Friday, Oct. 23, the University of Iowa will feature Día de Muertos among several international traditions during its free Cultural Craft Fest from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at T.Spoons Coffee Shop in University Capitol Centre, 200 S. Capitol St.
The campus program includes crafts inspired by Día de Muertos, Diwali, Halloween and Samhain.
Related: Iowa City opens Hispanic Heritage Month with Spanish storytime, Día de Muertos art and Latinx social.
Oct. 24–31 — More Día de Muertos events across Iowa
- Saturday, Oct. 24 — Marshalltown: The Arts + Culture Alliance will host its free Voices & Memories: A Día de los Muertos Cultural Showcase from 6 to 8 p.m. at 126 W. Main St. The program includes original Spanish-language songs by Kristin Stuchis, folkloric dance by Bertha Alicia Santillan Medina and her group, and a community ofrenda. Guests may bring a photograph of someone they wish to remember. Performances begin at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27 — Cedar Falls: Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure comes to Gallagher Bluedorn at 10 a.m. The bilingual production uses Mexican music and dance to tell the story of a young girl learning about Día de Muertos. It is part of the venue’s A Buck a Kid series; consult the box office for ticket availability and purchasing conditions.
- Thursday, Oct. 29 — Muscatine: The Muscatine Art Center, 1314 Mulberry Ave., will host a free family event from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. Activities include crafts and bilingual storytelling with Latin Thunder. No registration is required.
- Friday, Oct. 30 — Waterloo: The Waterloo Black Hawks will host Día de los Muertos Night during their 6:35 p.m. game against the Sioux City Musketeers at Young Arena, with face painting on the concourse. Game admission requires a ticket.
- Saturday, Oct. 31 — Storm Lake: Storm Lake United lists Día de los Muertos on its community calendar. The publicly available listing does not specify the event’s time, location or program. Contact Storm Lake United at 712-732-3780 for details before making plans.
Día de Muertos events in Iowa continue through Nov. 8
The main celebration weekend falls on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with events in Des Moines, Davenport and Sioux City. Additional programming continues Nov. 2 at Des Moines Central Library.
Two exhibitions and programs extend the season through Sunday, Nov. 8: the group art show at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids and the Des Moines Art Center’s closing conversation about its community ofrenda.
Event schedules and availability may change. The venue and organizer links throughout this article provide the latest published details.
Image transparency note: All photographs used in the collage are original images taken by Hola Iowa/Hola America photographers. AI-assisted tools were used in some visual compositions accompanying this story to arrange images and add creative visual effects. Our editorial team remains responsible for the reporting, writing and published content. ©️ Hola America Media Group.
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