Bring a Photo of Someone You've Lost to Houston's Free Ofrenda

The park builds one community ofrenda and invites guests to add to it. Houston artist Angel Quesada designs this year's altar, and a photo or keepsake of someone you've lost becomes part of the display. New this year is a second altar for pets, so a photo of a dog or a cat can sit beside the family photographs. Bring a copy or a keepsake you can leave behind, not an irreplaceable original: no one guarantees a keepsake comes back off the altar.

Then the Catrín y Catrinas parade works the lawn: painted faces, elaborate dresses, and a costume contest folded into the 3 – 7 pm program. Prizes split four ways, kids twelve and under, teens thirteen to seventeen, and best male and best female for adults, with ice-rink tickets, gift certificates and a hotel night for winners. Many entrants simply show up in full Catrina paint, and food, crafts and vendor stalls run alongside.

La Musical Ofrenda ends the day: Nick Gaitan and the Tejas Roots Band lead a tribute concert to legendary Texas artists and to musicians lost this year, with a visual showcase by Vincent Valdez behind the stage. Traditional performances run on the same lawn, and glass, outside alcohol and tents stay home. It all happens on the Sarofim Picnic Lawn; the Green and Purple lines stop at Convention District, and drivers use the Avenida North Garage at 701 Avenida de las Americas. The sun sets at 5:35, so the last hour is after dark.