Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday in which participants remember and pray for their friends and family members who have passed away. The holiday features altars to loved ones and brightly painted sugar skulls.
Read on to learn about some some celebrations, festivals and workshops in Raleigh, Durham, and the rest of the Triangle, where you can learn about and celebrate Día de Muertos.
Day of the Dead Celebrations in the Triangle
Día de Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel
Día de Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel
October 2 to November 5, 2026
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Duke University Chapel
401 Chapel Hill Drive, Durham, NC
Free
Honor the dead with Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, a Day of the Dead altar piece, at Duke Chapel. This year’s Día de los Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel features newly commissioned artwork by Ricky Armendariz, a Texas-based artist whose work explores the blend of Mexican, American, and Indigenous cultures along the U.S.-Mexico border. A collaboration with Duke Arts, Say the Thing and the Innovation Co-Lab, the installation incorporates a series of original panel designs by Armendariz, engraved at the Co-Lab and added to this year’s Ofrenda.
Durham School of the Arts Fall Arts Festival: Día de los Muertos
Durham School of the Arts Fall Arts Festival
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Place: Durham School of the Arts, 400 N Duke Street, Durham, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Performances, music, foods, hands-on art-making and cultural celebration. The festival kicks off with a parade.
Day of the Dead Festival at Whirligig Park
Day of the Dead Festival at Whirligig Park
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Place: Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 301 Goldsboro Street S, Wilson, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Folkloric dances, artisan vendors, tamale contest, food trucks, more.
Day of the Dead 5K and Street Festival
Day of the Dead 5K
Saturday, October 31, 2026
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Centro
106 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC
$40 to $45 for the 5K. No cost for the Street Festival.
This event benefits the Fox Road Boys & Girls Club. There will be two altars where you can leave offerings of flowers and messages in memory of your loved ones. One altar will be at Oakwood Cemetery and one on Wilmington Street.
The event will also feature arts and crafts, face painting, a kids’ dash, performances, and a dance-off costume contest. There’s no cost to participate in these events (just the 5K.)
Day of the Dead with Revista Latina
Day of the Dead with Revista Latina
Sunday, October 25, 2026
12 to 4 p.m.
City Plaza
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
Free
Celebrate with folklore, Aztec dance, music, arts, Mexican crafts and food trucks.
Chapel Hill Día de Muertos
Chapel Hill Día de Muertos
Date: Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: 12 to 4 p.m.
Place: 140 West Franklin Street Plaza, 140 W Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Cost: Free
Features: Art experiences, vendors, live performances and more.
Day of the Dead Celebration at City of Raleigh Museum
Day of the Dead Celebration at City of Raleigh Museum
Friday, November 6, 2026
6:30 to 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free
This event is a collaboration between City of Raleigh Museum, El Quixote Festival, and the Artist Studio Project. It features live music, dance, poetry, an altar, arts and crafts, treats and much more.
More Day of the Dead Events in the Triangle (day by day list)
Make sure to follow each link for all the information. Most of these are free events, but we’ve included the Day of the Dead 5K in Raleigh as well. Although there’s a cost to the 5K the event also includes free celebrations for everyone.
