Art, music, cultural traditions, and community remembrance come together for a daylong celebration throughout the historic Market, culminating in a vibrant evening parade.
Seattle, WA — On Friday, October 23, Pike Place Market will host a Día de Muertos celebration, bringing together artists, performers, cultural organizations, local businesses, community partners, and the public to honor loved ones and celebrate Hispanic heritage and traditions. The celebration is the final installment of Pike Place Market’s Night Shift: Art & Music Event Series, and will feature activations throughout the Market, Pike Plaza, Victor Steinbrueck Park, and the surrounding historic district.
From noon to 9 p.m., the historic Market will transform into a celebration of art, culture, and remembrance across its streets, plazas, galleries, and public spaces. Visitors can experience live music and dance, mariachi and folklórico, lucha libre (Mexican professional wrestling), contemporary art, and cultural installations throughout the district.
The cobblestones of Pike Place will be lined with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Día de Muertos, featuring artist demonstrations, local makers, food vendors, and roaming performers. The celebration will extend into Pike Plaza and surrounding galleries and creative spaces. At Victor Steinbrueck Park, a cemetery-inspired installation and community altars will offer a space for reflection and remembrance.
As evening falls, the celebration will culminate in a spectacular Día de Muertos procession through the historic district. Dozens of Catrinas, dancing devils, caballos bailadores (dancing horses), marching bands, and other cultural performers will fill the streets with music, movement, and color. Beginning at 6:30 p.m., the procession will travel along Western Avenue, up Lenora Street, and down First Avenue before returning to Pike Place.
“For more than a century, Pike Place Market has been a place full of life, creativity, and cultural exchange, making Día de Muertos a natural fit for our historic district,” said Rachel Ligtenberg, President & CEO of Pike Place Market PDA. “We are honored to host this event and help create space for the Hispanic community and visitors of all backgrounds to remember loved ones and share traditions. This celebration brings together art, music, food, and performances in a way that reflects the vibrant energy of the Market while honoring a holiday that holds deep cultural significance for so many families.”
“We honor the Mexican traditions at the heart of Día de Muertos while inviting other cultures, contemporary artists, and Seattle’s diverse communities to bring their own voices and memories to the celebration,” said the Día de Muertos PNW Organizing Committee. “This is where traditions meet, evolve, and continue to live. We want people to become part of the celebration, not simply observe it.”
“Seattle Downtown Art Walk is honored to be part of Día de Muertos at Pike Place Market, bringing artists, galleries and creative spaces together in celebration of memory, culture and community. Art has a beautiful way of connecting us to the stories we carry and the people we remember,” said Rovi Domondon with Seattle Downtown Art Walk.
Día de Muertos, often referred to as Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. This two day holiday honors and commemorates the lives of family members, friends, pets, and others who have passed away and welcomes the return of their spirits. The holiday symbolizes the unity of life and death through art, tradition, and rituals and is celebrated largely in Mexico, Central America, the United States, and in pockets around the world.
The Día de Muertos en Pike Place Market event comes together through a collaboration of community, cultural, arts and civic partners including Día de Muertos PNW, Downtown Art Walk, El Centro de la Raza, The Rabbit Box, the Seattle Office of Economic Development, and participating artists, performers, businesses, and community organizations.
Event Details
12 pm – 7 pm:
- Shop from Mexican artists, makers, and businesses
- Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine
- Face painting by Seattle Catrinas
- Live music and performances on the Main Stage
12 pm – 9 pm:
- Public altars for your loved ones and pets
- Live music and performances on the main stage
3 pm – 5 pm:
- Lucha Libre in Pike Plaza between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave
4 pm – 6 pm:
- Cultural performances from folklórico groups
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm:
- Welcome remarks from Mayor Katie Wilson, Seattle Office of Economic Development Director Beto Yarce, and Head Consul of the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Victor Hugo Lopez Ortega.
5 pm – 9 pm:
- Dia de Muertos Art Gallery and Khambatta Dance Company at ArtLove Salon & PublicDisplay.Art Annex
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm:
- Parade around the Pike Place Market Historical District and 1st Ave
Join Pike Place Market for a vibrant celebration of art, music, food, culture, and community as Seattle comes together to honor Día de Muertos traditions, remember loved ones, and celebrate Mexican heritage.
Learn more on the event page.
About Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority
The nine-acre historic district is maintained and operated by the Pike Place Market Preservation and Development Authority (PDA), a not-for-profit public corporation created by the City of Seattle in 1973. The PDA supports the Market’s remarkable community by increasing farm and food retailing opportunities, supporting small and marginal businesses, and providing services for low-income individuals. In addition, PDA helps protect the essence of the Market by preserving, rehabilitating and maintaining the buildings within the Market. PikePlaceMarket.org
About Día de Muertos PNW
Día de Muertos PNW brings communities together through art, music, performance, and traditions of remembrance. Rooted in the Mexican traditions of Día de Muertos, its work creates space for cultural exchange, contemporary expression, and meaningful participation across Seattle’s diverse communities.
Through Día de Muertos en el Mercado, the organization collaborates with artists, cultural organizations, local businesses, and community partners to create a large-scale, community-led celebration throughout Pike Place Market, honoring loved ones while exploring how traditions of remembrance continue to live and evolve.
About Seattle Downtown Art Walk
Seattle Downtown Art Walk works to strengthen downtown Seattle by connecting artists, galleries, creative spaces, businesses and the public through accessible arts experiences.
Held every fourth Friday from 5–8 PM, the Art Walk is free, all ages and self-guided, creating opportunities for people to discover local art, support downtown businesses and experience Seattle’s urban core in new ways.
Its work is rooted in collaboration, creative placemaking and building stronger connections across Seattle’s arts, business and community networks.
Start Anywhere. Wander a Little. Stay Awhile.
About Seattle Office of Economic Development
Our core purpose is leading projects and making investments that open up access to economic opportunities, reduce the racial wealth gap, and encourage innovation and growth.
Our work is guided by the community-driven Future of Seattle Economy framework, which identified five strategic pillars and, via Resolution 32099, serves as the City of Seattle’s economic development policy framework.
We seek to strike a balance between supporting our local economy and competing in the global economy. Our work advances the Citywide priority of economic recovery and resilience across Seattle, including Downtown revitalization.
Media Contact:
Mya Acosta, Senior PR & Communications Specialist
E: Mya.Acosta@PikePlaceMarket.org
P: (206) 774-5278 ext. 352