Each year, hundreds of thousands of people flood Tucson streets, some with calaveras painted on their faces and twinkling lights hooked onto their attire.
They carry large signs, small ofrendas and bright orange marigolds, walking for nearly two miles to remember the loved ones they've lost, eventually gathering for the grand finale of the ceremonial burning of the urn, which is filled with notes of love and hope from people all over the community.Β
The 35th annual All Souls Procession makes its return on Sunday, Nov. 3. Here's everything you need to know.
The All Souls Procession is a 2-mile walk honoring loved ones lost.Β
How to watch or participate in the main eventΒ
The procession takes off at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 near Grande Avenue south of Speedway, heading south on Grande to Congress Street and ending in the Mercado District, 100 S. Avenida del Convento. The procession typically arrives near the Mercado around 7 or 7:30 p.m. It's free to participate and free to watch. A livestream is also available if you can't make it to the in-person event.
The All Souls tradition began in 1990 when local artist Susan Johnson wanted to find a way to honor and grieve her late father. Many Mouths One Stomach, the volunteer-run nonprofit that now organizes the annual event, calls the procession a "sanctuaryΒ for community members from all walks of life to express their grief and loss in a celebration of creative energy and rejoicing of life."
After more than a decade of organizing the All Souls Procession, organizers felt the need to incorporate a focal point β what they believe turned into a place to channel the energy, grief and joy of those who participate. With that, the urn was created.Β
Urn ushers hold out buckets to collect people's messages to loved ones as they make their way to the MSA Annex during the All Souls Procession, Nov. 5, 2023.
Community volunteers pull a large urn through the procession, collecting prayers and notes of remembrance from attendees. When the procession reaches its final destination in the Mercado District, the contents β names of people to be honored, hopes, dreams or anything you want to let go of β are burned.
You can add paper notes of your own during the procession or ahead of time at the community ofrenda at the MSA Annex or during the cacao ceremony and Procession of Little Angels (more on those events below). The Ancestors Project, a slideshow of lost loved ones, is also unveiled during the procession's grand finale. You can submit your photos here.
Monique Quihuis gets her face painted by Shannon Donavant before the start of the 33rd annual All Souls Procession on Nov. 6, 2022.
The procession, which centers the theme "home" this year, also welcomes a grand finale performance byΒ Odaiko Sonora, which formed more than two decades ago as a love letter toΒ traditional Japanese drumming called taiko. Also expect to seeΒ performances by musician and dancerΒ Na-il Ali EmmertΒ and circus and fire theaterΒ Flam Chen.
βPeople jumping around hitting big drums, itβs kind of hard to resist. Weβre loud, we have fun and you can tell we like the art form as well as each other and I think that is really appealing,β Odaiko Sonora co-founder Karen FalkenstromΒ told #ThisIsTucsonΒ in 2021.
Before the sun goes down Sunday, you can prep for the procession by getting your face painted at one of three Many Mouths One Stomach painting stations, set up at Mariscos Chihuahua, 1009 N. Grande Ave., from noon to 6 p.m.; in the Mercado courtyard from 4:30-7 p.m.; and along Avenida del Convento from 4:30-7 p.m.
Where to park to watch the procession
Because the procession takes place over a two-mile stretch, there are lots of places to sit and watch.Β
Parking meters are free on weekends in downtown Tucson, or you can park in many of the downtownΒ lots or garages. The closest garage to the action is the City-State Garage atΒ 498 W. Congress St.Β Sun Tran and the Sunlink Streetcar are also free to ride, though beware of road closures.
The 35th annual
All Souls Processionmakes its return on Sunday, Nov. 3.
What to know if you plan to walk in the procession
Participants can begin gathering at the starting point at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 and the procession departs at 6 p.m., winding through city streets and an unfinished dirt lot. Wear comfy shoes and bring water! Portapotties are available at the gathering and finale sites, in addition to a couple other locations along the route.
"The procession is whatΒ youΒ make of it," Many Mouths One Stomach says. "Allow yourself to flow into an experience of real community, where we interact in ways that are different, authentic to our nature and open to our feelings."
Registration is not required to walk, though it can be helpful if you have a musicalΒ group or large non-motorized float. See more information here.
Evangelina Dominguez, a participant in the 2021 All Souls Procession, says the butterflies represent the family and friends who have passed.
Other events as part of All Souls weekend
All Souls weekend actually kicks off Friday-Saturday, Nov. 1-2 with four events, including the $35 Flow for the Soul, a family-friendly event with vendors, dancing, music and a fire performance. Flow for the Soul, organized by In-Rave in collaboration with Flam Chen, takes place 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1 at the MSA Annex, 267 S. Avenida del Convento.
From 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at Armory Park, 222 S. Fifth Ave.,Β Many Mouths One Stomach will host the Procession of Little Angels, described as a "pint-sized procession for families with young children." The afternoon will include free art activities, including DIY face painting and wing decoration, along with storytelling from Literacy Connects' Stories That Soar.Β
Saturday night at the MSA Annex is Dance of the Dead, including an ancestral intention-setting cacao ceremony. It's an all-ages event that runs 7-11 p.m. with tickets priced at $35 at the door.
Following the main procession at 9 p.m. Sunday, an afterparty will take place at the MSA Annex featuring bandΒ Petunia & the Vipers. DJ Herm will be in the Mercado courtyard. Both shows are $10.
Now through Nov. 6, a DΓa de los Muertos ofrenda will be set up at the MSA Annex, where community members are welcome to bring their photos and other memories to place on the altar. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, the ofrenda will be blessed by Pastor Jose Duran with an opening prayer, traditional Aztec dancing and a booth from Homicide Survivors Inc.Β
"This is not just a procession; it's a weekend of unity, honoring those who once walked with us," Many Mouths One Stomach says. "Creatives, performers, and participants across all walks of life come together, crafting altars and installations, weaving a mosaic of memories and dreams."
Many Mouths One Stomach, established five years after the birth of the All Souls Procession, describes themselves as a collective of artists, teachers and community activists who "come together with the intent to create, inspire, manifest and perpetuate modern festal culture."
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