The Downtown Arts District is set to bring back one of Orlando’s most vibrant cultural celebrations next week with the 16th Annual “Día de Los Muertos & Monster Party” on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in Downtown Orlando.
The annual event, which celebrates both Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and Halloween-inspired art, will take place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and feature a mix of visual art, live performances, and family-friendly festivities along Magnolia Avenue, outside CityArts Orlando.
At 6 p.m., CityArts Orlando will open its Artists’ Receptions, showcasing Day of the Dead and monster-themed artwork from regional, national, and international artists. Outside, the Street Party will fill Magnolia Avenue with art vendors, live entertainment, and a variety of food and drink offerings.
This year’s cultural programming, curated by CABETCAL, includes participation from the Mexican Consulate and Casa de Mexico, adding authentic cultural context to the celebration through traditional displays and performances.
A new addition for 2025 will be Phantasmagoria’s “Poe, Through The Tales Darkly”, presented at 9:30 p.m. inside the CityArts Signature Gallery. The performance will bring several of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous works—The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and Annabel Lee—to life through a theatrical storytelling experience. Admission to the performance is free with limited capacity; donations to the Downtown Arts District are welcome.
“There’s nothing like the Día de Los Muertos & Monster Party,” said Barbara Hartley, Executive Director of the Downtown Arts District. “It’s the night we wait for all year. Ravelli will be playing on the street as guests arrive, and the energy just builds from there. The procession will lead from CityArts through Downtown and back again, with live mariachi performances by Mexico Lindo and Alternativa and artwork that stops guests in their tracks. This year’s event is bigger, louder and more alive than ever.”
The 16th Annual Día de Los Muertos & Monster Party will take place at CityArts Orlando, located at 39 South Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. For additional information, visit downtownartsdistrict.com.