The Grove Stage - Cultural Performances

4:00pm: Special Guest Maria Renee Barillas of Telemundo DC
4:10pm-4:40pm: De Colores
4:50pm-5:20pm: Ballet Folklorico El Tepeyac
5:30pm-6:00pm: Fundación Elena
6:30pm-7:30pm: Mariachi Imperio with Blanca Chacuan

M Street Landing - Live Music & Lantern Procession

As the sun sets, The Wharf will transform with a colorful community lantern procession along the waterfront. Lanterns will be distributed to event guests at M Street Landing starting at 6pm.

4:00pm-6:00pm: Listen to live music by the Latin Celtic Band, La Unica
6:00pm-6:30pm: Lantern Procession Assembly
6:30pm: Lantern Procession Begins

Recreation Pier - Face Painting, Crafts & DJ

Kids can get their face painted on Recreation Pier and decorate sugar skulls and crafts near The Oculus.

4:00pm-6:00pm - DJ Future - Brian Flores
4:00pm-6:30pm - Face painting and crafts

Festival Food & Fun
💀 Bartaco
💀 Lucky Buns
💀 ZOOZ
💀 Makers Union
💀 Milk & Honey
💀 Kinfolk
🍫 Pitango - Their Dark Magic Marocchino Drink is equal parts espresso and sipping chocolate with a skull shaped marshmallow
🍫 Praline Bakery - Tres Leches Cake and Mexican Hot Chocolate
🍫 Kilwins - Offering Sundaes and Kilwins Chocolates
🥘 Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls is offering a free cup of soup with the purchase of any two Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

Dining Reservations
View the Event Map

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 and authentic ensemble. Traditionally people wear colorful colors, skulls, and flowers. We’ll light up the night during the community 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 community lantern procession begins at 6:30pm.

What is the route of the community lantern procession and how can I participate?
The community 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 to event guests starting at 6pm in M Street Landing for the community to illuminate the night.

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 Latin Celtic band La Unica.
💀 Visit the kids crafts area for sugar skull decorating in The Oculus by Mason’s Lobster Rolls.
💀 Kids can get their faces painted by The Wharf Boathouse.
💀 Sip on drinks from the Modelo Beer Gardens.
💀 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 community lantern procession.
💀 Spin the wheel for prizes at the DC Lottery table.

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. Garage 3 located at 602 Water St SW is the closest to the event.

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. As a fully outdoor event, we will provide any necessary rescheduling updates on our social media if needed. Follow @thewharfdc on Instagram, Facebook and X to stay up to date. 

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.