Day of the Dead - New Heights in 2026 - Riverview Farmers Market

Join us for a Jersey City-wide celebration of El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) –
Oct 29 through Nov 1, 2026. Hosted by the Riverview Farmers Market.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest and RSVP on Facebook!

The ofrenda or altar that was set up for the 2025 Day of the Dead Festival in Jersey City. A man stands in front of the altar with his back to the camera. The altar is decorated with frames and skeletons and many marigolds. — The Ofrenda (or altar) from the 2025 Día de los Muertos Celebration at Riverview Farmers Market
(with the NYC Skyline in the background). All photos by *Joanna Garcia*

Celebra la vida CON NOSOTROS (Celebrate Life) at the 12th Annual Jersey City Day of the Dead Festival!

Building on the incredible energy of last year’s celebration, the Riverview Farmers Market is thrilled to bring back Jersey City’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival for 2026 with even more community art, tradition, and neighborhood expansion. Mark your calendars for a weekend of remembrance, music, and vibrant Mexican culture!

Looking Back at 2025

Last year’s festival brought hundreds together to honor departed loved ones with giant skeleton puppet parades around Riverview-Fisk Park, traditional dances by Sueño Americano, live mariachi music from El Mariachi Oro de Mexico, and the debut of our popular La Catrina Costume Contest. As artistic director Santiago Cohen reminds us, this is a holiday of love and remembrance that belongs to the whole community.

Mexican folkloric dancers photographed at the 2025 Day of the Dead festival

What’s New and Planned for 2026

1. Ofrenda Unveiling (Thursday, October 29, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM) We will construct and unveil our large communal memorial altar (Ofrenda) in the Riverview-Fisk Park gazebo. The evening ceremony features traditional dance by Sueño Americano, Calaverita readings, and a special youth theater play performed by Educational Arts Team (EAT) students! Residents are invited to place photos and offerings for departed loved ones.

2. Main Festival Day (Sunday, November 1, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM) Our core festival returns to Riverview-Fisk Park on Sunday, November 1st! Highlights include:

Giant Skeleton Puppet Parade: March through the park alongside hand-crafted giant puppets created and led by Santiago Cohen.
Upgraded La Catrina Contest: Back by popular demand, with two main prize categories (individual or group. Contestants will also join the parade procession!
Music, Art & Tradition: Enjoy live music from Mariachi Oro de Mexico, Sueño Americano dance performances, memorial portraits by Athena Toledo, face painting, and family craft activities.

3. Expanded Heights & Central Avenue Activations In partnership with the Central Avenue Special Improvement District (CASID), we are expanding festival energy throughout Jersey City Heights! Keep an eye out for Central Avenue decorative banners, skeleton puppet window displays in local storefronts, and special food, drink, and craft activations across local businesses^[2].

4. October Workshops & Art Shows

JCAST Art Show at Tres Chilitos (Oct 2): Curated by Athena Toledo, showcasing Día de los Muertos artwork and local youth creations.
Mobile Printing at the Market (Oct 4, 11, 18): Create custom block-printed tote bags, shirts, and frame crafts with local artist Jerry Alba of Punk Cat Press.
Community Crafting: Hands-on community workshops leading up to November, including sugar skull making, mask making, and alebrijes.

Families dressed up as La Catrina participating in the Day of the Dead parade. Colorful outfits with painted faces.

Join the Celebration!

Día de los Muertos is a joyous time to honor those who came before us while celebrating life together as a community. Come join your neighbors on November 1st to celebrate Day of the Dead in the Heights. RSVP on Facebook and follow Riverview Farmers Market on Instagram for full schedules and workshop details

The Crowd at the 2025 Day of the Dead festival

ABOUT Day of the Dead and The ArTISTS

About Riverview Farmers Market
The Riverview Farmers Market is held every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Riverview-Fisk Park, located at Palisade Avenue between Bowers and Griffith Streets, from May through November. It is organized by the local non-profit organization Farms in the Heights and has been serving the Jersey City Heights community with local vendors and free events for more than 15 years.

About Santiago Cohen
Santiago Cohen is a Mexican/American artist and author. He has worked as a designer, illustrator and Animator for HBO, the Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and PBS. Santiago has written and illustrated more than 20 children’s books and graphic novels. He has made a successful career in Fine Art, with shows in galleries and Museums in New York, New Jersey, and Mexico. He has been the Artistic Director of the Day of the Dead Parade in Jersey City since 2014.

Santiago had a seminal show for Morris Arts at the Atrium of the Courthouse in the fall 2021. Santiago was one of 26 influential people to have “Great Conversations” in the event organized by Morris Arts in April 2022. He has been an honored participant of the 14C Art Fair of New Jersey since 2022.

About Music & Art in the Park Programming by Riverview Farmers Market
This program is made possible by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of the Department of State, and administered by the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs/Tourism Development, Craig Guy, Hudson County Executive & the Hudson County Board of County Commissioners.

SUPPORTED BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE JERSEY CITY ARTS AND CULTURE TRUST FUND.

Riverview Farmers Market and Farms in the Heights appreciate the support of both the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs and the Jersey City Arts & Culture Trust Fund.

Programming supported by: