
Everyone’s Dying to Go See Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival
October 17, 2024
Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival in Texas, is a free, annual family-friendly weekend event taking place this year on October 25-27, that is a “mashup” of the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), along with Halloween and the fall harvest season. It’s an inclusive and family focused event with lots of free activities and attractions for kids. Festival goers can enjoy great food & drink, arts & crafts, and live music and dance, along with unique events like:
- Pine Box Races
- Twilight Lantern Parade,
- Community altar and a “Flight of Souls”
- “Cirque du Horror Musical,”
- Pumpkin Patch
- Costume Contest
- Storytelling
- Performances from Denton ISD schools
Into the box thinking

One of the highlights of the festival is its famous Coffin Races, the brainchild of Joey Hawkins, owner of Jupiter House Coffee. One afternoon, over sudsy refreshments at Dan’s Silverleaf – a place where many wonderful ideas are hatched – Joey was dreaming of a Soap Box Derby down the hill on Hickory Street. Joey and festival director and founder, David J. Anzaldúa Pierce, thought, “well what if they were coffins instead of soap box cars?” Monte Jensen, current owner of Mellow Mushroom, first brought up the prospect of coffin races in Manitou Springs, Colorado. But, unlike the coffin races in Denton, the Manitou Springs version has no hill, just four runners pushing the coffin as fast as they can.
Marcus Watson, Site Management & Operations Director, says that the event is considered “The Darling of the City”; before it used to be Jazz Fest. “People come from all over. Some come from as far away as Arkansas.” He adds that, “We’d love to have the event picked up by ESPN.” but notes that for now the race is covered on a YouTube Channel.
In October of 2012, the first-ever Coffin Race was held in Denton. At the time, there weren’t many rules. You first had to build a go-kart from a coffin. You were encouraged to wear a helmet, and brakes were strongly recommended. But those guidelines were pretty much taken with a huge grain of salt as spectators witnessed everything from cars with non steering wheels to a guy blazing down the course on a hospital gurney. Fortunately, no casualties occurred, but to make sure the race didn’t suffer mishaps in the future, some ground rules were established. The most important of these is that the entry vehicle must be coffin-inspired.
Watson says that even though rules like prohibiting propellants, and mandating the need to steer, “You have to hang on for dear life.” Fortunately, there are bales of hay to stop you at the bottom of the course.
The Coffin Race has become the signature event for the Denton Day of the Dead Festival. In fact, the event has put Denton on the map. “It’s much bigger and broader,” notes Watson. “There’s up to 60 teams. And because there’s so many people lining the streets as spectators, it's actually hard to see.” Watson points out that this has been overcome by the exciting addition of live streaming of the race.

So much to do, it’s scary
While the Coffin Race is a star attraction, there’s plenty of other events at Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival. There’s the Twilight Lantern and Costume Parade, where anyone can join and it includes illuminated lanterns, glowing costumes, and blinking bikes. Participants are encouraged to decorate their cars, trucks, and build floats. Watson notes that artwork has been commissioned, including a 3D bat with working wings. He adds that the local chapter of Ghostbusters participates by dressing up in movie accurate costumes.
The real reason why Denton’s Day of the Dead festival even exists is the musical, Cirque du Horror created by Pierce. Watson notes that Pierce is a graduate of the music program at the University of North Texas and a prolific local composer that creates music for other artists all across Texas. Cirque du Horror is a show that “screams Halloween” and is appropriate for the entire family with a little touch of the macabre that features bone-chilling poems, spine-tingling stories and spooky songs that are a little scary and a whole lot of fun.
In 2009, Pierce debuted the musical as a tribute to the joyful memories of his childhood. The show ran at local Denton nightclub, Dan’s Silverleaf in 2009 and 2010. By 2011, he dreamed of taking the production outdoors, setting it against the backdrop of the crisp October twilight. That same year, he crossed paths with Watson. Through Watson and the Industrial Street Guild – a collection of businesses along Industrial and Hickory Streets - Pierce gained invaluable insight organizing a festival and important elements such as securing city permits and managing insurance.
What started as a small block festival on Industrial Street quickly grew into a thriving event that developed a life of its own. After the pandemic, Pierce reimagined Cirque du Horror, moving it out of Dan's Silverleaf and into its own “big top” circus tent. Today, the show takes place in a vibrant circus tent set up in the parking lot across from Miss Angeline's at 126 Oak Street.
Youngsters can take a walk through the “Pumpkin Patch,” a lively area filled with activities for both kids and parents to enjoy. All bounce houses and rides are free, creating an atmosphere of excitement and adventure. Pumpkin Patch visitors can dive into fun activities like face painting, hair coloring, arts and crafts, puppet shows, storytelling, and a variety of entertaining carnival games.

Of course, what would a Day of the Dead festival be without the costume content. There are four categories:
- Day of the Dead-Themed Costume Category (13 years of age and older)
- General Category (13 years of age and older)
- Child (12 years of age and younger)
- Group/Family
Winners receive a trophy, spot as one of the Honorary Parade Chairmen in the Twilight Lantern and Costume Parade, and their name and photograph on the Denton Day of the Dead social media account.
One of the unique events of the festival is the “Flight of Souls”, which debuted in 2019. Instead of releasing live Monarch butterflies – out of respect for the native Monarch population – confetti cannons filled with delicate paper butterflies are launched. The event also features a heartfelt dedication and blessing, with a stunning performance by Denton’s own mariachi band, El Mariachi Quetzal. The symbolic “Flight of Souls” is a truly unforgettable moment. Attendees are invited to engage with the community Ofrenda (altar), to honor and remember loved ones who have passed.
The festival gradually winds down with the Twilight Parade; this special community event is open to everyone. The parade is packed with colorful floats, eerie vehicles, painted horses, dancers, the UNT Brazilian Percussion Ensemble, and more. Many participants get creative by building their own puppets or floats, wearing costumes, and taking a lively stroll around Denton Square and downtown Denton streets. The parade wraps up just in time for the 2024 headliner, Dreaming of You – The Selena Experience, which takes the stage at 7:30 pm.
This program is made possible by…
Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival is planned and presented by 13 volunteer committee chairmen and women. One the weekend of the festival, more than 200 volunteers help stage the event. This fantastic fall street party is brought to you by many passionate, creative individuals who want to celebrate fall and fun in Denton. Watson notes that up until recently no one was compensated for their work on the event. He also points out that some of the proceeds go to local charities, Serve Denton and Cumberland Youth & Family Services.
Watson describes the festival as a block party for Halloween and a tribute to Hispanic culture. “It’s family friendly and we see people from all walks of life. It ties community together” He points out that while he and Pierce have been doing it for a long time, originally businesses thought the event might hurt their commerce, it’s actually helped.
“Now the city has embraced it. After 14 years, the community gets involved but we are always in need of more sponsors, as Pierce and the planning committee are constantly envisioning new ways to enhance and expand the festival. One of the largest is a local moving company, Little Guys Movers. Their mission extends beyond just growing the festival; it includes a strong commitment to increasing contributions to local charities year after year.
Watson also notes that the current city management has been very helpful. “We’re working hard to make it as big as it can be. We want Denton to be known as Halloween Town.
Jamie Adams, Director of Strategic Partnerships, for the Denton Economic Development Partnership says that “It’s events like Denton’s Day of the Dead and the Coffin Races that make Denton a fun, family friendly place where people work together as a community. A vibrant city that is a home for work and play.”
Make sure you go visit Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival on October 25-27, put on a costume, join the parade, see the Coffin Races; you’ll have a terror-rific time.