Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival to Return Nov 1

The annual cultural celebration will host performances and community altars at Scoville Park.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Cultural

Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival to Return Nov 1

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The Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival returns to Scoville Park on November 1, 2026. The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to honor ancestors and celebrate life.

Why it matters

The festival provides a vital space for community members to gather, process loss, and celebrate heritage. It serves as a resilient return after the 2025 event was canceled due to immigration enforcement fears.

Founded in 2020, the festival features 24 community ofrendas this year. Performance groups range from 8-year-old participants to adults in their 60s and 70s.

The players

Alma Martinez

She is the founder who established the Dia de los Muertos Festival in Oak Park in 2020.

Jaime Garza

He is a community member selected to receive a Community Appreciation Award during the 2026 festival.

Victor M. Montanez

He serves as the official emcee for the 2026 festival events at Scoville Park.

Mariachi Sirenas

This musical group based in Chicago is one of the featured performers at this year's festival.

Calpulli

This Berwyn-based Aztec dance group is a featured performer that has been active for 20 years.

The details

Attendees can view 24 ofrendas installed throughout the community, including one at the Oak Park Public Library. The program includes performances by Calpulli, Changosnakedog, Comparsa de Morelos la Original, and Mariachi Sirenas, with Victor M. Montanez serving as emcee.

The festival was founded by Alma Martinez in 2020.
The event was canceled in 2025 due to immigration enforcement fears.
The 2026 festival occurs on November 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Industry Dynamics

The 2026 event marks a return to public celebration following the 2025 cancellation of the Oak Park Dia de los Muertos Festival. This restoration reflects broader efforts to maintain cultural traditions despite regional political and social shifts.

Residents can attend the festival at Scoville Park for free between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on November 1. Community members are also encouraged to visit the ofrenda currently on display at the Oak Park Public Library.

The takeaway

This event offers a structured way for residents to engage with traditional altars and cultural performances in a public space. Families are encouraged to visit multiple ofrenda locations throughout the city to fully experience the memorial displays.