All Souls Procession

Great event! Year after year they manage to outdo themselves and bring such a spectacular show! The performers were all fantastic, the theme was super cool, and the main performance by Filistine was amazing! This show is made possible by the Tucson community and all the volunteers, if you are ever in the city when this is going on you definitely do not want to miss it!

So amazing… words fail me… you must see for yourself!!!
This was my first time attending and I am already anticipating next week year’s procession. I went as a simple human this year but I look forward to attending in full face paint and dress next year.

This was my first year, and is by far the best thing I’ve ever done in Tucson! The All Saints Parade here in Tucson is the largest day of the dead parade in the US and it’s amazing to see the entire town get festive to honor and celebrate their loved ones who have gone to the other side. I can’t recommend this enough!

I look forward to this event every year. We stand by the 6^th Ave. underpass. It was very dark this year, the street lights went on and off. It was hard to see all the marchers. Love the Mariachi dancers and players. Some great props, miss the UofA marching band this year. Great event!

Just love the music the parade the people the food, the makeup! It’s all good! Had such a groovy time, arrived a little late but better late than never Tucson. It is a must see fo sho.

Great modern décor, lots of seating that opens out to the street, and a pretty good cocktail menu.

This has to be one of the best public events I ever attended. I like that it is not one HUGE commercial for local business like so many city parades are.
This is a parade for the people, by the people.
Great feeling and emotion are present.
People march to remember a loved one — human or pet. The creations are amazing on some.
There is an amazing energy. Music, Lighting, costumes, make up … You should attend at least once.
I plan on marching this year. I am organizing a group.
Come join us.

This is the greatest thing about Tucson. Anyone who lives in Tucson and has never been to The All Souls Procession, is not fully appreciating Tucson. This is both fun and somber depending on why you are there. Paint your face and get out there!

Tucson’s première showcase event! At least in my mind.
Beautiful, soulful, entertaining, heartwarming, cultural… oh the adjectives could go on and on. I’ve been coming to the All Souls Procession for many years and love how it seems to grow every year, I just wish it still went down 4^th Ave and more of Congress. But I understand that progress (street car) changes things and we all have to roll with it. Since it no longer goes under the street at the end of 4^th where the participants all push together for an amazing, loud and exciting walk, I was very happy as I walked under the street at the the end of 6^th Ave to get that same feel.
If you are visiting Tucson during the 1^st weekend in November, make it a point to attend the All Souls Procession. What is so unique (besides the whole concept itself!!) is that you can choose to sit on the sidelines and watch or hop in at any point and walk the route as a participant.
Flam Chen dancers and performers always blow me away and the finale is pretty spectacular. It’s a beautiful thing to see that urn hoisted in the air full of prayers, thoughts and names of loved ones and then lit on fire as the words on the papers ascend to the heavens. It’s goosebump worthy.
It bears mentioning that the annual event is only made possible through donations. If you love the All Souls Procession, I encourage you to make a donation — no matter how large or small — so this tradition can carry on.

This is one of the best events I’ve been to in ages– head downtown in the afternoon to check out the pre-​parade events. most businesses are doing something to celebrate.
We went to Borderlands Brewery where they crafted a special beer just for the event (with a portion of the proceeds going to the organizers of All Souls). There was live music and plenty of great costumes to check out.
If you aren’t talented with the face paint, most bars offer free face painting which is a great way to get everyone in the spirit of the event.
Parking can be a challenge– arrive early (we managed to find free street parking around 3:00).
The parade is great fun. It is open to anyone who wants to join– just jump in and walk along– or you can enjoy the sites from the sidelines. The parade ends just past the freeway where there is a huge after party. This was super fun, but we were unable to find food/​drink here (maybe we just missed it?) so we headed back to Congress for a bit to eat. This event is also child/​pet friendly which is really nice. This is something the entire family can enjoy.
The creativity of the people who come out for the day is amazing– you will not be disappointing with this event… we’re already planning ahead to next year’s!

A beautiful tradition in Tucson that keeps getting bigger and better every year! The festivities this year were so much fun and lasted all day! From the food to the music and entertainment, it’s one of Tucson’s best.

Tucson’s version of Day of the Dead. I have been to Oaxaca for Day of the Dead but I love the Old Pueblo’s version the best. You will hear bagpipes next to Mariachi bands next to Hari Karshini next to Gazoos. Don’t be a Bystander — join in because it is an experience not to miss. A wonderful release to grieve our loved ones.
One of my gems of Tucson — I loved the 2010 version since it was mostly on 4^th Ave but now it starts at Hotel Congress and the tall buildings have lost that cozy intimate feeling that 4^th Ave invokes. Now it ends up in the ghost town of El Mercado. I hope it goes back to old 4^th Avenue.

This is one of the best Tucson festivals there is! Everyone in Tucson (it seems) and others from around the Southwest dress in traditional or creative costume resembling skeletons and march at least 3 miles together in the streets to commemorate those that have passed away. If you want to feel a part of a community, this event is great for that. My friends and I brought musical instruments and played with the beat of others’ drums while walking. There are food trucks and festivities at the end of the parade route… though my feet hurt so bad I could not partake. This is kind of cheesy, but this procession/​tradition is very spiritual and is good for the soul. Incredibly uplifting.

Awesome Tucson Tradition!

There we are, standing at the entrance of the grand finale, squished from the crowds of people behind us who are desperately pushing forward. The cop next to us is attempting to hold everyone back, but he’s unable to. The people are dying to get closer to capture the magic (lucky we got there early). There are giant paper mache figures dancing to drum beats. There’s a group of skeletons bouncing around in front of us.
Obviously, the procession is honoring the dead, but it also seems to provide all kinds of organizations with a reason to promote themselves or stand up for whatever cause. If you can somehow connect it to death, no matter how ambiguous the connection might be, you may have yourself a reason to march in the procession. There was a recent graduate marching in his cap and gown to announce the completion of his college education (RIP College or something of the sorts). Many fun characters playfully march through, but there are also those people who take the procession very seriously as they march for the loss of a loved one.
All Souls Procession is essentially a big bundle of creativity, marching through the city. I can’t say I was entirely prepared this year, but I know what to do for next year. These are some of the things I didn’t bring, that you should bring:
+ foldable lawn chairs
+ a picnic blanket
+ LOTS of warm layers
+ a camera
+ a painted skull face
+ energy
Other than that, be respectful, dance, and get your skeleton on.

Absolutely amazing.
It’s one of my favorite things about Tucson, and it continues to grow year after year. The music, the make-​up, the masks and puppets that people spend hours creating… the evening is magical, it’s an inspiration. I don’t know what goes through the minds of the fantastic acrobats who get hoisted up into the air then dangled above the flaming urn, but the passion of so many is what makes this event so unique.
Favorite part… tonight I saw a gentleman walking around with a black eye pencil putting interesting designs on those that didn’t dress up. This kid couldn’t have been more than 20 and just simply wanted to give back in his special way and be part of the evening. It was wild seeing how receptive people were to this stranger, letting him create something they’ll not soon forget. Very cool.

It’s coming up on that time of year again. If you’ve never been, do yourself a favor and go. This is a staple experience for the Old Pueblo. Some could (and do) argue that this is THE event of the year here.
In the 10 years that I’ve been attending this parade (for lack of better descriptor), I have seen it grown, grow, and grow some more. The quality through this growth spurt has not been watered down. If anything, it seems that Tucson’s creative souls are still coming out of the woodwork. Many of the floats are out-​of-​this-​world fantastic. The music hits you to the core. And the finale event, while sometimes becoming a bit too drawn out, is not to be missed.
One of the nicest and most special aspects of this event is that it is as inclusive as the spectator wants it to be. Care to dress up and join in the procession? By all means do so then! Feel more like a fly on the wall? That’s fine too. It all depends on where you’re at.
The entire point of this event is meant to serve as a reminder of those we love. To some it is those who have departed, recently or otherwise. To others, it’s simply a physical way to remind oneself to be aware of what is precious to your life. And to all, it seems to be a way to release any negativity being held onto when that urn finally bursts into flames at the end. What a way to cherish the good and be gone with the bad.
Old Pueblo, this night above any other, I am most reminded of what I love about living within this city. And it warms my heart to share that with the tens of thousands who inevitably show up.

The All Souls Procession was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen anywhere. I am shocked by how many people who’ve lived here for years have never gone!
Last year was my first, and I was absolutely mesmerized by the papier-​mâché sculpture and costume artistry, the music and drum beats, the families marching together, the stilt-​walkers… The creativity and energy were unbelievable.
I was so over-​the-​top enthused about this event that I convinced a close friend to come all the way from the Midwest this year just for the All Souls Procession.
Can. Not. Wait.

ethnic culture + popular culture+ creativity + family + fun + skeletons + flowers + street roaming
BEST thing about Tucson. :) I love when there’s life on the streets!

One of the most incredible experiences of my life. Real talk.
Disclaimer: The following descriptions are rooted in my well-​hidden hippie philosophies on life. I don’t care for other hippies and they have terrible taste in shoes, so I understand if you choose to stop reading. But I’m outing myself because there is no other way to describe this event. The words «spiritual,» «love» and «magical» may appear below and I apologize in advance.
I went for the first time as a last minute decision once I found out when it would be (the weekend after the Day of the Dead holiday). It would make for a long day and night — it’s about a 2-​hour walk and then a performance at the end and then a 2-​hour drive home and work the next day. Ouch; but it was worth it!
I was surprised to find that the event is only about 90 percent Day of the Dead focused. I came across a blog that describes the mix perfectly: «The All Souls Procession… is Tucson’s hip, weirdo, eclectic, inexplicable and sometimes cutting-​edge arts scene’s retrofitted take on Day of the Dead, and is the most exciting, inspiring and magical event of the year.» I agree 100 percent.
The best part is, you can go all-​out with full regalia and makeup, or simply smear some stylized black and white face paint on and you can walk along with the parade — and I fully suggest walking IN the event, as a spectator you see everything but you do NOT get the full experience. You walk among people as well as strollers, bikes, carts, trikes, hand-​built contraptions, wagons, tables with wheels — anything and everything that could be rolled, dragged or pushed was painted, covered with flowers and adorned with pictures of loved ones, candles, food (it is tradition to make the deceased’s favorite food) and used as makeshift altars. These contraptions were also used to display art or just plain cool shit.
Costumes were very Day of the Dead traditional and impressive — people walked with enormous sugar skulls on their heads, walked on stilts, rode tall bikes, etc. And there were also the outliers with their fairy costumes, goth gear, tutus, glitter, lights and basic Halloween costume leftovers (the randomness is a minority). The overall theme is death-​focused, but I was surprised at how overpowered that morbidity is by the celebratory and festive atmosphere of the event. This mood was helped enormously by the many, many groups of people who played flutes, drums, pianos, organs, kazoos and more.
People also pinned photos of their deceased loved ones to their shirts, wore sandwich boards with photos, carried big signs or had full altars with candles (as I mentioned), and at several points while walking it overwhelmed me and I would think: «That person’s brother died this year» or «That couple lost their child» or «Those middle school students are here because their friend died.» But then you would see these people smiling and enjoying this release and this ability to share this with so many people, and it becomes something culturally that I’ve never experienced: a true celebration of life. Sure, people SAY those words all the time, but I’ve NEVER seen or felt it until now. It felt free and even primal due to the maks and dancing and drum beats. At this point I would get almost tearful at the enormity of what me and these other 20,000 people were participating in and sharing together (told you I was a hippie).
OK, enough emotion, now for the details: It is family friendly, and I saw infants, toddlers and teens participating. But it can be scary for small children. We had a 1.5-year-old with us, and he did fine I think because he watched us all get ready and got his face painted too; I wouldn’t recommend just showing up and throwing a small kid in front of the many monsters and ghouls roaming around.
It’s about a mile and half, but it goes very slowly so it takes about two hours, almost 3 if you stay for the grand finale show. You start on 4^th Ave at University, and head south, go through the underpass (this caused a bit of a bottleneck but was really, really fun!) at Congress and end up at the Grand Finale stage around 6^th St and 9^th Ave.
These are old Tucson streets and are dusty, uneven and now have trolley tracks on them (bikers be wary), but I wore flip flops and was fine — my feet and legs were filthy, but not blistered or sore. You can write a prayer for your loved ones and put it in the giant urn that they pull along the parade (where and when you do this, I don’t know).
At the end, there is a short (45 min or so) performance (this year an aerobatics display from NYC’s Magpie art collective) and bagpipers play (why they have bagpipers for an event with such Mexican roots I have no idea). Then they take the urn into the air with a crane and burn it with everyone’s prayers inside.
I can’t recommend this event enough! Words and photos hardly do it justice. It will be one of the coolest thing you’ve ever done it your life, I promise!