SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Tejano, cumbia and the sounds of San Antonio will take center stage at the 14th annual Muertos Fest, bringing three days of live music, cultural traditions and community remembrance to Hemisfair October 23–25.
The free Día de los Muertos celebration will feature more than 50 performances across five stages, with a lineup spanning Tejano, conjunto, cumbia, rock, mariachi and dance. Among the highlights are Tejano music icon Michael Salgado, rising San Antonio cumbia-pop artist Vanita Leo, legendary singer Sunny Ozuna and a special appearance by Tejano/Chicano ensemble LA 45.
This year’s festival will also pay tribute to Texas-Mexican music pioneer Lydia Mendoza through a special altar created by students from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico City, celebrating the enduring legacy of one of the most influential voices in conjunto and música mexicana.
Tejano and Cumbia Lead a Diverse Musical Lineup
Muertos Fest continues to showcase the musical traditions that shape San Antonio and South Texas, bringing generations of performers together for a celebration of Mexican American culture.
Michael Salgado, one of Tejano music’s most recognizable artists, will be among the festival’s featured performers. Known for his accordion-driven sound and contributions to modern Tejano and norteño music, Salgado represents the regional Mexican influences that continue to connect audiences across generations.
San Antonio’s own Vanita Leo will bring her blend of cumbia and Latin pop to the festival. Her appearance highlights the continued evolution of cumbia and its influence on a new generation of performers.
Friday’s opening program will feature LA 45, the Tejano/Chicano ensemble known for its oldies repertoire, joined by legendary San Antonio vocalist Sunny Ozuna for an extended set. The performance promises a nostalgic evening celebrating the music that has shaped generations of South Texas listeners.
Other performers scheduled throughout the weekend include Grammy winners Max Baca y Los Texmaniacs, who will present a special tribute to the late Texas music legend Augie Meyers, along with Grupo Metal featuring Chris Perez, Santiago Jiménez Jr., Luna Tropical, Llamativa, Como Las Movies, El Dusty & the Homies, Los Skarnales, Girl in a Coma, Mariachi Las Alteñas, Campanas de America and Mariachi Valquirias.
The wide-ranging lineup reflects the musical diversity of San Antonio, where Tejano and conjunto traditions coexist with cumbia, rock and contemporary Latin sounds.
Lydia Mendoza Honored With Special Día de los Muertos Altar
One of this year’s most significant cultural features will honor Lydia Mendoza, the pioneering singer and guitarist whose recordings helped bring música mexicana to audiences throughout the United States and beyond.
UNAM San Antonio is expanding its cultural partnership with Muertos Fest by bringing three students from its Mexico City campus to create a special altar dedicated to Mendoza.
Known as La Alondra de la Frontera — the Lark of the Border — Mendoza became a groundbreaking figure in Mexican American music, building a career that spanned decades and helping preserve the musical traditions of the borderlands. Her legacy remains deeply connected to the development of conjunto and the broader history of Texas-Mexican music.
The tribute offers festivalgoers an opportunity to reflect on Mendoza’s lasting influence while celebrating the musicians and cultural traditions that continue to shape the region’s identity.
The festival’s expanded partnership with UNAM San Antonio and Letras en la Frontera, its benefiting nonprofit, will also support cultural programming and the return of the popular Day of the Dead Bookstore.
Honoring Loved Ones and Keeping Traditions Alive
At the heart of Muertos Fest are the community-created altars honoring family members, friends and loved ones who have passed away. This year, more than 100 altars have been confirmed, marking the largest number in the festival’s history.
“Every altar at Muertos Fest tells the story of someone who was loved. Every procession carries those memories forward,” said Jim Mendiola, artistic director of Muertos Fest.
“When families come together to share their stories and honor those who came before them, they’re doing more than remembering the past. They’re keeping our traditions alive and passing them on to the next generation,” Mendiola added.
Two signature Día de los Muertos processions will bring music, dance, art and remembrance into the heart of the celebration. Each procession entry honors someone who has died, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on preserving family memories and passing cultural traditions from one generation to the next.
The processions are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, at 3 p.m.
Loved ones can also be remembered through the festival’s Community Altar by submitting photographs through MuertosFest.com.
New Art Installations and Cultural Experiences
Muertos Fest will introduce a new 40-foot papel picado installation at its enhanced entrance near South Alamo and Market streets.
San Antonio artists Adrian and Diana Garcia of Casa Mio Designs will also present an expanded version of The Church, an immersive altar installation honoring the faith, traditions and enduring legacies of their mothers and grandmothers.
Additional programming includes Nicho Sonido: Música for Grieving and Healing, a curated music experience exploring loss, remembrance and healing through sound.
SoundCream presents: Discos y Recuerdos will offer a musical ofrenda honoring Selena and other beloved Latin artists, featuring DJs from across Texas.
Families can explore the Muertos Mercado, featuring more than 85 art vendors, alongside poetry, cultural workshops and hands-on children’s activities at the Yanaguana Children’s Stage.
Keeping Muertos Fest Free for the Community
As the festival enters its 14th year, organizers say maintaining free admission remains central to its mission, even as large-scale community events face rising costs and the challenges of downtown development.
“Community events, including Muertos Fest, face rising costs and the challenges of ongoing downtown development,” said Faith Radle, one of the festival’s organizers.
“Keeping this festival free is only possible because of the generosity of our sponsors, partners, and the hundreds of families, artists, and community members who make Muertos Fest what it is,” Radle said. “We’re grateful to celebrate our 14th year together and hope that, with the community’s continued support, we can sustain the tradition of Muertos Fest for many years to come.”
Founded in 2013, Muertos Fest has grown into one of the largest Día de los Muertos celebrations in the United States, welcoming more than 100,000 attendees annually. Produced by Galaxy Productions at Hemisfair, the free community festival brings together music, art, cultural programming and family traditions to honor those who have passed.
Muertos Fest 2026 Schedule and Admission
Friday, October 23 — 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
¡Presente! A Night to Remember opens the festival with sensory-friendly altar viewing from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a traditional blessing by Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin at 8 p.m. LA 45 and Sunny Ozuna will perform an extended oldies set. Goodwill San Antonio’s sustainable fashion show, Lotería: A Night to Remember, begins at 8:30 p.m. in the Magik Theatre parking lot.
Saturday, October 24 — 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Enjoy live music, cultural programming, community altars and the first Día de los Muertos procession at 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 — Noon to 9 p.m.
The festival continues with more live performances, family activities and the second Día de los Muertos procession at 3 p.m.
Admission is free. For the complete entertainment schedule, festival updates and information about submitting photographs for the Community Altar, visit MuertosFest.com and follow @MuertosFest on social media.
With its combination of Tejano and cumbia performances, San Antonio musical talent and a special tribute to Lydia Mendoza, Muertos Fest 2026 will bring music and remembrance together in a celebration of the people, traditions and cultural heritage that continue to define South Texas.
Follow Tejano Nation on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with everything Tejano. Listen to new Tejano music first with our Spotify playlists and iHeartRadio podcast.
Public Voting Now Open for the 46th Annual Tejano Music Awards
Fans can vote for their favorite Tejano artists through October 18 as the awards show prepares to return to Katy, Texas, for the second consecutive year
Marlissa Vela Honors Her Father’s Legacy With New Single ‘Me Voy Al Amanecer’
The Tejano singer-songwriter unveils the fourth single honoring her father, Ruben Vela, after overcoming personal hardships and production setbacks
Alexis Aliyah Debuts With New Single and Music Video ‘Contigo’
The daughter of Grupo Negami frontman Carlos Villegas begins carving out her own musical identity with a soulful love song
Discover more from Tejano Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
0 comments on “Muertos Fest 2026 Brings Tejano, Cumbia and more to Día de los Muertos Celebration in San Antonio Oct. 23-25”