About the Festival

Why do you call the event Denton’s Day of the Dead?
The festival is the brainchild of longtime Denton resident, composer, and arranger David J. Anzaldua Pierce. As he was dreaming of a Halloween variety show, he also started concocting an idea for a street fair. Because Denton is a creative, multicultural town, he imagined the many ways people celebrate the fall in the Southwest – including trick-or-treating, the harvest of autumn crops, and Dia de los Muertos. Denton’s Day of the Dead would be a truly local original celebration, open to all people and all the ways they celebrate the waning days of autumn.

Didn’t you know that Dia de los Muertos falls on Nov. 1-2? Why do you celebrate before then?
We do! However, this isn’t strictly a Day of the Dead event. Over the years, the community has increasingly embraced the tradition. We look at it this way: Most communities stage their winter holiday festivals and lightings well before Christmas and New Year’s, so we are comfortable that hosting the festival on the last weekend of October is appropriate. (And you get another chance to wear your Halloween costume!)

How much does it cost to get in?
The festival is free. Enjoy shopping for novelties and food with our vendors, and be sure to buy a ticket to see the Halloween musical that started it all, Cirque du Horror, and stop by a downtown Denton bar or restaurant. Otherwise, enjoy the games and inflatables in the pumpkin patch, a full day of live performances at the main stage and pumpkin patch stage, and take in the coffin races, costume contest, and Twilight Lantern & Costume Parade for free. 

Wait. When is it?
The festival takes place during the last full weekend of October each year. Most programming and events (including kids’ activities, vendors, music, coffin races, a costume contest, and a parade) are held on the Saturday of that weekend. However, the Pinebox Derby and the final show of the original Halloween musical, Cirque du Horror, are on Sunday. 

Can I have my company logo on the coffin raceway?
Yes! We welcome any business, nonprofit, or private donor to become a festival sponsor! Our raceway and pit row spaces are claimed very quickly, but there are many ways to put your business or organization logo (or family’s name) in plain view at the festival. More than 25,000 people will have the opportunity to see your logo during the event. 

For more information, visit our sponsorship page or email info@dentondayofthedeadfestival.com. 

Where do I park?
Denton’s Day of the Dead is a very popular event and parking is limited. You can find updated parking on our website a few weeks before the event. You and friends can also drive to the Denton County Transportation Authority train stop at MedPark, and take the A-Train to downtown Denton. The downtown train stops just two blocks east of the festival grounds!   

How can I be a vendor?
Please read the vendor rules first and apply online by August 31, 2025. Although we accept application submissions at any time, please note that the review of applications will not begin until May of the current festival year.  

Beginning in May, applications will be reviewed and acknowledged within two-week intervals (at mid-month and end of month). 

If you haven’t received acknowledgment of your application as of Sept. 1, 2015, email vendors@dentondayofthedeadfestival.com. 

How can I enter a team in the coffin races?
You are strongly encouraged to read the rules first at https://dentondayofthedeadfestival.com/events/coffin-races/coffin-races-registration/. Registration opens at noon each year on May 5 at the same URL where you will find the rules. Registration fee per team is $120. The race roster fills quickly (within a few days), so don’t delay – the roster is capped at 70 teams.

If you miss the registration window, you can be added to the wait list. It is common for teams to drop off the roster from Registration to Race Day, and those spots are offered to the next team in line on the Wait List. If you have questions, email coffinraces@dentondayofthedeadfestival.com.