The 10 altars in the Detroit Institute of Arts’ 14th annual Ofrendas exhibition will be on view only through Sunday, Nov. 1, the same day Día de los Muertos in Detroit brings a free celebration to the riverfront and a charity race to a park in Southwest Detroit.
For Detroiters who have not yet seen the altars, the window is now a little over a week. The museum is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and the final day brings an artist talk at the DIA, a free afternoon celebration at Robert C. Valade Park and the Run of the Dead 5K and 10K, a fundraiser for a Southwest Detroit youth arts program.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that honors loved ones who have died, often with an ofrenda: a home altar of photographs, flowers, candles and the foods the person enjoyed. It is observed around Nov. 1 and 2, just after Halloween, and is a celebration of memory rather than a costume holiday.
Jump to: At a glance · DIA Ofrendas · Riverfront celebration · Run of the Dead · Getting there · Plan your day · FAQ
Día de los Muertos in Detroit 2026 at a glance
| Event | When | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14th Annual Ofrendas exhibition | Through Sunday, Nov. 1 | Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave. | Free for tri-county residents; otherwise general admission |
| Sugar Skulls workshop | Friday, Oct. 23, 6-8:30 p.m. | DIA | Capacity limited; check the DIA site |
| Ofrendas artist talk | Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m. (seating 1:30 p.m.) | DIA Lecture Hall | Free with museum admission |
| Riverfront Día de los Muertos | Sunday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St. | Free (registration on Eventbrite) |
| Run of the Dead 5K/10K | Sunday, Nov. 1; check-in 7 a.m., race 9 a.m. | Patton Park Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St. | $55 (5K), $60 (10K) through Oct. 31 |
The DIA’s 14th annual Ofrendas exhibition
The exhibition opened Sept. 26 in the museum’s Special Exhibitions Central galleries and runs through Nov. 1, according to the DIA’s exhibition page, which now carries a “Final Days” banner. This year’s show features 10 altars made by artists from communities across Michigan, WXYZ reported when the museum announced the lineup in September.
Among the participants, the station reported, are Marlon Lara and Yoselin Serrano, whose altar for the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit is titled “Passion & Futbol – Manuel Lapuente,” and Arnisha T. Smith, whose work is titled “Sankofa: Herencia.” The other artists listed are Jenni Souter, Vittoria Katanski, Doris DeMarco, Franklin Eugenio Forbes II, Nathan Chavez, Carla Milch, Rachel Robert and Norbella Aguilar.
The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; it is closed Mondays. General admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties who show ID, under the tri-county millage. Other visitors pay $20 for adults, $10 for seniors and college students with ID and $8 for ages 6 to 17, with children 5 and under free, according to the museum. For a longer visit, our guide to what to know before you visit the Detroit Institute of Arts covers the galleries worth pairing with the altars.
Two related programs remain. A Sugar Skulls workshop runs Friday, Oct. 23, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., during the museum’s late hours, and the DIA notes that capacity is limited. On closing day, Sunday, Nov. 1, the museum will hold an artist talk at 2 p.m. in its Lecture Hall, with seating from 1:30 p.m. According to the DIA, members of the Mexican Consulate will open the program with the history of the holiday and its altars, and each participating artist will then speak about their ofrenda. The talk is free with museum admission.
The DIA anchors Midtown’s Cultural Center, and visitors who want to build a fuller day nearby can use our guide to the best museums in Detroit.
A free celebration on the Detroit Riverfront
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy will hold its Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St. Admission is free, and the conservancy asks visitors to register through a free Eventbrite listing linked from its event page.
The conservancy describes a family-friendly afternoon with food trucks, shop vendors, arts and crafts and a community ofrenda where visitors can leave a name or message for a loved one. The published schedule:
- 11 a.m.-noon: children’s storytelling
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m.: food trucks, shop vendors, arts and crafts
- Noon-1 p.m.: live music with Luna
- 1-2 p.m.: Ballet Folklórico Moyocoyani Izel
- 2-3 p.m.: Mariachi Mexico de Detroit
Run of the Dead in Southwest Detroit
Earlier that morning, the Southwest Detroit Business Association will stage the Run of the Dead, a USATF-certified 5K and 10K run and walk that starts at the Patton Park Recreation Center, 2301 Woodmere St. The race is the annual fundraiser for COMPÁS, the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest, which offers youth arts and music programs, according to the association.
Registration on RunSignup costs $55 for the 5K and $60 for the 10K, and the listing says prices increase after 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Check-in and packet pickup begin at 7 a.m., and the race starts at 9 a.m., with 10K runners lining up first, followed by 5K runners and then walkers. Organizers said a community leader will create an ofrenda for the event, and participants are welcome to wear traditional face paint, flowers and attire. Light bites, vendors and entertainment by COMPÁS are planned, and medals go to the top finishers in each race.
Getting there and parking
DIA: The museum’s lot behind the building on John R Street, south of Kirby Street, costs $8 a day. Metered street parking is limited to two hours, and Wayne State University’s Welcome Center structure on Putnam Street takes credit cards only, according to the DIA. The 4-Woodward bus stops in front of the museum, and the QLine’s Ferry Street station is the closest stop.
Valade Park: The conservancy’s 2026 visitor guide lists a free paved lot at the park; its event page adds that nearby street parking, lots and structures are available and asks drivers to follow posted payment signs.
Plan for the weekend before: Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31. Our Halloween in Detroit guide covers the city’s events that night.
How to plan a Day of the Dead Sunday in Detroit
Because the three Nov. 1 events overlap, a realistic schedule for one day looks like this:
- By Oct. 31: Register for the Run of the Dead before prices rise, and register for free for the riverfront celebration on Eventbrite.
- 7-9 a.m.: Check in at Patton Park; the race begins at 9 a.m.
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Head to Valade Park for storytelling, food trucks and live music.
- 1:30 p.m.: Arrive at the DIA Lecture Hall for seating before the 2 p.m. artist talk, then see the altars before the museum closes at 5 p.m. Tri-county residents should bring ID.
What is still unknown
Organizers had not published a course description for the Run of the Dead beyond map images, and the riverfront event’s capacity was not listed. The Southwest Detroit Business Association’s Día de los Muertos listings page still showed 2024 events as of Oct. 23, so neighborhood markets, Masses and restaurant specials for 2026 may be announced later. Times and details can change; check each organizer’s page before heading out.
Frequently asked questions
When does the DIA Ofrendas exhibition end in 2026?
Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. that day and closed on Monday, Nov. 2.
Is the DIA Ofrendas exhibition free?
It is included with general admission, which is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties with ID. Other adults pay $20.
Where is the free Día de los Muertos celebration in Detroit?
At Robert C. Valade Park, 2670 Atwater St., on Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy asks guests to register for free on Eventbrite.
Can I still sign up for the Run of the Dead?
Yes. Registration is open on RunSignup at $55 for the 5K and $60 for the 10K until 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31, when prices rise. The race starts at 9 a.m. on Nov. 1 at Patton Park.
Sources: Detroit Institute of Arts; Detroit Riverfront Conservancy; Southwest Detroit Business Association and RunSignup; WXYZ-TV. Last updated Oct. 23, 2026.
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