FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – October 30, 2025 – Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Damn Good Hospitality invite the community to join them for the inaugural Downtown Day of the Dead celebration—a vibrant, family-friendly tribute to the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. Taking place Saturday, November 1st, this free event features a cultural festival, the iconic Skeleton Stroll featuring traditional, larger-than-life puppets and a lively Block Party in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
• 2:00 PM (Esplanade Park) – Face painting begins
• 3:00–8:00 PM (Esplanade Park) – Cultural performances, arts & crafts, Latin food vendors
• 6:30 PM (Esplanade Park/SW 2nd St/Riverwalk) – Skeleton Stroll kicks off
• 4:00–11:00 PM (SW 3rd Ave/Revolution Live/Backyard) – Block Party
The Downtown Day of the Dead will be a festive day embracing Mexican heritage and culture through food and beverage, music, dancing and more! Face painting opportunities will open at 2 pm at Esplanade Park and continue throughout the event. The Skeleton Stroll, lead by traditional Day of the Dead puppets and a mariachi band, will start at Esplanade Park and proceed down SW 2nd St, continue along the scenic Riverwalk before culminating at Revolution Live and Backyard, where attendees will enjoy the Downtown Day of the Dead Block Party featuring food trucks, the Craft Crypt and the Muertos Block Party. DJs and additional face painting will fill the evening with the lively spirit of this unique celebration.
“With the help of our great friends at Las Olas Capital Arts and artists Heather Neiman and Stephanie Leyden, we were able to build a few new puppets for this years festival,” said Genia Duncan Ellis, president and CEO of Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. “Downtown Day of the Dead will continue the traditions honoring Mexican heritage, building community and sparking joy and wonder in attendees that past festivals have done so well.”
The Downtown Day of the Dead Celebration is proudly produced by Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale and Damn Good Hospitality (Revolution Live, Backyard FTL, Stache), with major support from the City of Fort Lauderdale and in partnership with the Mexican American Council, General Consulate of Mexico in Miami and Las Olas Capital Arts. Additional support comes from Rick and Flo Celender, Florida Blue, Morningstar Storage – FAT Village, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, Kamora, Swiggle, Tequila Supremacía, Broken Tree Vodka, Producer Mezcal, S. Mark Graphics and Go Riverwalk Magazine.
Media: Please contact Genia Duncan Ellis or Jarred John to arrange media access.
Follow us on social media, @RiverwalkFTL and @damngoodhospitalitygroup. Use hashtag #DowntownDOTD to share your celebration!
For more information, visit GoRiverwalk.com/DOTD.
About Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, Inc.
Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization responsible for the programming, beautification and activation of Riverwalk Park and the Riverwalk District. Composed primarily of volunteer private citizens and overseen by a board of directors, all members uphold the organization’s directive, as stated in its mission statement, “to be the catalyst in building and nurturing Riverwalk and the Riverwalk District as a vibrant community connected by the New River.” Funding for this mission comes from hosting a wide range of fundraising, networking and membership events, grants, and by publishing local information on our informative website and in Go Riverwalk magazine.