PRESENTED BY U.S. BANK

October 17-18, 2025 

“I believe that everyone has ancestors that have honored this earth. That death is a universal journey we all take. That in every culture there’s a ritual for honoring our ancestors. I believe that inside of us is the knowledge of our ancestors.” 

–Cal Duran 

Join us this fall for another spectacular Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead Festival—a dynamic, colorful and fun-filled family event that brings our community together to celebrate and remember our loved ones who have passed. For 2025, we are expanding our traditional Día de Muertos presentation to an inclusive celebration of the many diverse cultures across Latin America that are represented in our community.  

Under the artistic direction of Cal Duran—Denver-based Indigenous, Native, Mixed blood, Latinx, Manito, Mestizo, Chicanx, Indian Artist, and Arts Educator—the Blue River Plaza and Arts District will be transformed into an immersive experience that includes a community altar or ofrenda—which community members can contribute to—along  with large-scale Calaveras (skeletons) and streams of Papel Picado that will fly across the entire Arts District Campus.  

The Festival will kick off on Friday, October 17 with the opening reception + artist talk + music for Juan Fuentes: Lo que La Tierra Abraza / What the Land Embraces—our fall exhibition in the Old Masonic Hall Gallery. Artist Juan Fuentes is working with local immigrant communities to explore their unique stories through the medium of photography. This reception will be followed by an Aztec Dance performance + Candlelight Vigil with the much loved, Grupo Huitzilopochtli of Denver.  

Saturday October 18 will be a full day of festival fun that includes art, music, dancing, performances by local community musicians and dance groups, classes and workshops, facepainting, an art market, and a few more surprises, so stay tuned for a complete schedule of events over the coming weeks.