Clark County Parks and Recreation invites the community to honor loved ones and experience rich Mexican culture at the annual Life in Death: Day of the Dead Festival, hosted at the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center and Park, 3130 McLeod Drive. The two-day, family-friendly event takes place on November 1 and November 2, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. nightly. Admission and parking are entirely free and open to the public, though ride-sharing is strongly encouraged due to limited space.

The festival offers residents an immersive exploration of Día de los Muertos traditions across park grounds and center facilities. Outdoors, attendees can view community altars decorated by local families, organizations, and artists competing for festival honors. Located directly within the ofrenda area, visitors can interact with Forever in Our Hearts, a temporary public art installation created by Las Vegas artist Stefano Kajatt (Aplete) under One Sky Ally LLC. Inspired by collective memorial art at Burning Man, the installation lets guests scan a QR code on their phones, upload a photo, and project a real-time tribute onto a heart sculpture, accompanied by light and music, to honor loved ones and pets.

Inside the gallery, visitors can view the juried Life in Death Exhibit 2026, curated by Las Vegas artist Jamie Zepeda, whose own work blends Mexican folk art and Western influences. The exhibition showcases original pieces centered on remembrance and heritage by dozens of featured artists, alongside supplementary artwork in the Hall Gallery, and will remain open through November 19. Clark County Public Arts will also host an exhibition reception on Monday, November 2, at 6:05 p.m. on the outdoor stage.

Main-stage entertainment across both evenings features live performances by traditional Mexican dance troupes, mariachi groups, and theatrical performers. Festivalgoers can also experience traditional calavera readings—satirical poems written to honor the living and the dead fondly—and explore an authentic cultural marketplace featuring artisan craft vendors, food sales, face painting, and hands-on art workshops for families.

For full details regarding altar participation and event schedules, contact Clark County Parks and Recreation at (702) 455-7340 or visit the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center website. For information on county public art initiatives, contact the Clark County Public Arts Office at (702) 455-8685 or CCPublicArt@ClarkCountyNV.gov.