The Viva la Vida festival and parade filled downtown Austin with brightly-colored costumes and lively music on Saturday afternoon. This annual event celebrating Mexico’s Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) was sponsored by the Mexic-Arte Museum.

The Grand Procession went along East Sixth Street, turned south on Congress Avenue, and then finished at the festival grounds on Fourth Street. We stood near the end of the parade route.

This year’s parade seemed to include even more folk dancers, drum corps, and costumed participants than in previous years.

US Congressman Lloyd Doggett greeted bystanders as he rode by.

Our favorite street band, Minor Mishap Marching Band, was in the parade line-up this year.

Of course, any Day of the Dead celebration must include calacas (skeletons).

After the parade, we walked around the festival on Fourth Street and looked at the vendor tables inside Brazos Hall. Indoor and outdoor stages were set up for dance and music performances. Saturday was sunny and warm—a little hot in the sun—and Viva La Vida attracted a good-sized crowd.

© Austin Downtown Diary, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Austin Downtown Diary with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.