The All Souls Procession is one of the most important, inclusive and authentic public ceremonies in North America today. The Procession had its beginnings in 1990 with a ceremonial performance piece created by local artist Susan Johnson. Johnson was grieving the passing of her father, and as an artist, she found solace in a creative, celebratory approach to memorializing him. Says Johnson, “From the beginning, it was different people’s ethnic groups, different cultures, but also it was all these different art forms put together.”

After its inception, many artists were inspired to continue, growing the Procession into its modern incarnation. Today we find ourselves organizing upwards of 200,000 participants on the streets of downtown Tucson for a two-mile long human-powered procession that ends in the ceremonial burning of “The Urn”. The Urn is filled with the hopes, offerings and wishes of the public for those who have passed.

Myriad altars, performers, installation art, and creatives of all kinds collaborate to prepare their offerings for this amazing event. The All Souls Procession Weekend Honors the Ancestors and our lost loved ones and Celebrates Life.

Calendar of Events

Friday Nov. 1 – 6 pm – midnight – Dance of the Dead Night 1 Flow For the Soul with Justin Martin – Flow for the Soul is a family friendly community event with LED Flow, Dancing, and Fire Performance throughout the night.  “Expect music with emotional depth combined with raw dancefloor grit.” At MSA ANNEX 267 Avenida Del Convento, Tucson, cost – $25

Saturday Nov. 2 – 3pm – 7pm – Procession of Little Angels – A pint sized sunset Procession at Armory Park. Free Art activities for families and small children that gently and creatively introduce concepts and tools to process loss. Always FREE.  At Armory Park 221 S. 6th Ave., Tucson.

Saturday Nov. 2 – 7pm – 11pm – An evening of transformation with Session Yoga, cacao ceremony with Ricky Abud and Visionary musician Steve Roach. At MSA ANNEX 267 Avenida Del Convento, Tucson. 

Sunday Nov. 3 – 4pm – 10pm – The Southwest’s largest and most inclusive ceremony to Honor the Dead and Celebrate the Living.  Assembling on Grande Avenue at 4pm-departing at 6 pm. Culminating in the “Restoration of Care” ceremony and burning of the URN near MSA Annex in The Mercado District.

Sunday Nov. 3 – 9pm – midnight – The official closing party to celebrate the end of another All Souls season.

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