Bring a photo of someone you miss.
The 6th annual Niagara Day of the Dead & Art Festival fills St. Catharines Market Square, 91 King Street downtown, on Sunday, November 8th, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m. Local artist Luis Martin Flores organises it, and he's clear about what it is: Día de los Muertos is a living Mexican tradition for honouring loved ones who have died, not a Halloween party.
The schedule
- Noon to 1 p.m.: building the community ofrenda. Bring a photograph or a small keepsake of a loved one to place on the altar.
- 1 to 2 p.m.: an acoustic set by La Fondita Musical
- 2 to 3 p.m.: the ofrenda exhibition and the costume contest
- 3 to 4 p.m.: a pop set by La Fondita Musical
- 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.: Mariachi Mexico Amigo
- 5:30 to 6 p.m.: the ofrenda comes down
Luis Martin Flores notes that the schedule could still change.
Costumes, art and tamales
Dress up as a Catrina, a Catrín or a sugar skull for the costume contest. Only Día de Muertos costumes count, and the crowd picks first, second and third place.
The art this year includes colourful alebrijes, a full-size Catrina made of cardboard, large skeleton ink pieces and an exhibit of Luis Martin Flores's own work. Kids can play La Lotería, a Mexican bingo game, for prizes and make handcrafts, and Tamales Mexico, a Niagara business, serves Mexican food.
In the know
The Niagara Day of the Dead & Art Festival is free and family-friendly, with no registration, and parking at St. Catharines Market Square doesn't cost a thing. Want to help out? Luis Martin Flores is looking for volunteers: text Tamales Mexico at 647-786-6038.
