The Nacogdoches Public Library is giving Día de Muertos a whole week this year instead of a single afternoon.
The library has run a one-day Día de los Muertos festival in past years. For 2026 it has split the holiday into a series of events running Monday, Nov. 2 through Saturday, Nov. 7, with a different activity each day. Library manager Mercedes Franks said the point is to spend more time on the cultural side of the holiday rather than packing it all into one event.
Activities across the week include sugar skull painting, a Lotería night, craft days, a mariachi concert, a movie night and folklorico dancers. The public is invited to put up an altar at the library.
Two performances anchor the week
The Stephen F. Austin State University mariachi group, Los Leñadores, plays a free concert at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4.
“We are really excited that the SFASU Mariachi group, Los Leñadores, has resumed and will perform a free concert on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30pm. The week will include several activities, culminating with a performance by the Ketzaly Folklorico Dance Group at 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7th,” said Franks.
The library has also swapped out the storywalk at Banita Creek Park, which now features a Día de los Muertos-themed book. The storywalk is free and open whenever the park is.
How to take part
Anyone who wants to display an altar or help with the decorating can reach library staff at 936-559-2970 or askalib@nactx.us.
