4:00pm-7:00pm — Activities & Performances

The family-friendly afternoon will include live music by La Unica, cultural performances, street food, a Modelo beer garden, face painting, sugar skull decorating, and more.

6:30pm — Illuminated Lantern Procession

The Wharf will distribute lanterns for the community-wide illuminated lantern procession. Light up the night while celebrating Día de los Muertos with your family and friends. The procession will begin in M Street Landing and end in The Grove.

Do I need a ticket?
Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf is free to attend; no tickets are needed. Drinks are available for purchase in the Celebración beer gardens and at all Wharf bars and restaurants. You must be 21+ to consume alcohol.

What should I wear?
Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf is the perfect time to wear your most colorful ensemble. Traditionally people wear colorful colors, skulls, and flowers. We’ll light up the night during the illuminated lantern procession so you can also wear something that shines and glows!

What time does the celebration start?
The festivities are from 4pm-7pm and the illuminated lantern procession begins at 6:30pm.

What is the route of the illuminated lantern procession and how can I participate?
The illuminated lantern procession will begin in M Street Landing (near Hell’s Kitchen) and end in The Grove (near The Pendry). The Wharf will distribute lanterns and visitors will be invited to light up the night and parade in the illuminated lantern procession.

What activities are there at the event?
Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf will offer activities for all ages including:
💀 Live music by the Irish Latin Celtic band La Unica.
💀 Kids can decorating sugar skulls and get their face painted.
💀 Sip on drinks from the Modelo Beer Garden.
💀 Watch cultural performances.
💀 Snap a photo in front of the life-sized sugar skull sign.
💀 Visit beautifully decorated altars honoring loved ones.
💀 Participate in the illuminated lantern procession.

What is the best way to get to The Wharf?
Plan for lots of vehicular traffic and limited parking on Saturday. Instead of driving, ride the Metro to Waterfront Station and walk 5 minutes to The Wharf, or ride to L’Enfant Plaza and connect to The Wharf on the free Southwest Shuttle. Or consider taking Bikeshare.

If you can’t avoid driving, The Wharf has three underground parking garages that are open around the clock. Check our garages' capacity before you arrive. Or plan to utilize one of the nearby off-site parking garages (view PDF map), including Ace Parking at L’Enfant Plaza (420 10th St SW), L'Enfant East Parking Garage (840 D St SW), or the 1100 4th St SW Garage.

Will there be fireworks? What time?
Celebración Día de los Muertos at The Wharf does not feature fireworks. View The Wharf Events Calendar to see which upcoming Wharf events feature fireworks.

What happens if it rains?
A few sprinkles can’t keep us down. Unless the weather is dangerous, the event will happen rain or shine.

Can I drink alcohol outdoors?
Open alcohol containers are not allowed outdoors, except on restaurant patios or at the Modelo Beer Gardens in the Celebracion fiesta zone. No outside alcohol is permitted.

Is this event pet-friendly?
Pets are allowed in outdoor spaces throughout The Wharf. However, we do expect large crowds during the event, and outdoor areas may be hot or cold, so please plan ahead for your pet's comfort and safety. Please plan to keep your pet leashed throughout the event. The recommended pet relief area is Benjamin Banneker Park near 9th and Maine Ave SW.

Where are the public bathrooms at The Wharf?
Public restrooms are located throughout The Wharf at the Fish Market, Transit Pier, 800 Water Street, and in the Oculus.