Day of the Dead Latin Market

The Day of the Dead Latin Market is a Mexican-themed Vancouver event featuring market vendors, food and live music on Granville Island in the fall.

Dia de los Muertos, or the “Day of the Dead” in English, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates deceased ancestors. It’s similar to our Halloween in some ways, except that it takes place on November 2nd and doesn’t involve trick or treating.

Last year the market ran on October 28th and 29th. It will happen again around the same time in 2024. The event is part of Vancouver’s Latin American Heritage Month series of events. Continue reading below for more details, or visit latincouver.ca.

Latin Market Featuring the Day of the Dead

Latin American Heritage Month celebrates Latin culture. It features dozens of things to do, including visiting the annual Dia de los Muertos Market.

Otherwise known as the Day of the Dead Market, the event’s theme is related to an important day in Latin America. The Day of the Dead is a time to remember the deceased. It’s celebrated in Mexico in early November each year. The Day of the Dead Market usually happens in Vancouver on the weekend before November 1st, so right around Halloween.

The market offers a wide range of vendors, as well as food and live entertainment. Guests are encouraged to wear traditional Catrin or Catrina costumes, which are made to resemble skulls and skeletons. Admission to the market is free. However, online registration is encouraged.

To learn more about the Day of the Dead Market, click Latin American Heritage Month in Vancouver.

Market Hours & Granville Island Location

The Day of the Dead Latin Market ran on the weekend of October 28th and 29th in 2023. Saturday hours were from 1:00 pm to 11:00 pm. On Sunday the market operated from 1:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

The event used to take place at Ocean Artworks Pavilion, located at 1531 Johnston Street in Vancouver. The covered outdoor venue is on Granville Island, which is a trendy district and popular tourist attraction in False Creek. Ocean Artworks Pavilion is almost directly under the Granville Street Bridge. It’s also just a few doors down from the Granville Island Public Market.

In 2023, other Latin American Heritage Month activities happened at the Ocean Artworks Pavilion at more or less the same time as the Day of the Dead Latin Market. The market itself, however, took place nearby, in what is normally an indoor parking area. If you listened out for the Latin American music and fiesta sounds, you would have been able to find it.

For more information about the 2023 event, click LAHM Day of the Dead Market.

Dia de Muertos Latin Market

Entertainment Schedule

There are various performances to enjoy throughout each day at the Day of the Dead Latin Market. There are live DJs, bands and dance groups providing live entertainment. The full lineup of performers for each day last year is below.

Saturday, October 28th, 2023

1:00 pm – DJ Sanchez
2:00 pm – Caro Silva
3:00 pm – DJ Sanchez
4:00 pm – Mexico Vivo and Sangre Morena
5:00 pm – DJ Sanchez
6:00 pm – Colectivo Yollotl
7:00 pm – DJ Sanchez
8:00 pm – Orquestra Tabasko
9:00 pm – DJ Sanchez
10:00 pm – Mariachi Tabasko

Sunday, October 29th, 2023

1:00 pm – DJ CCS-YVR
2:00 pm – Tchelo and the Chicos
3:00 pm – Pies de Bronce Dancing Group
3:30 pm – DJ CCS-YVR
5:00 pm – Mexican Dance Ensemble Caudillos del Sur
5:40 pm – DJ CCS-YVR
7:00 pm – Tritone Band
8:00 pm – DJ CCS-YVR
9:00 pm – Mariachi Los Dorados, DJ Sanchez

Day of Dead Market Video

For an idea of what to expect, check out the videos below. The footage in the first video was recorded at the 2021 event. That year the market took place at Ocean Artworks Pavilion. In 2023 it happens in a covered area a block or so away, which was the same as last year. At Ocean Artworks Pavilion this year, however, there are other Latin American Heritage Month activities, including a Mexican Pavilion with live music and cultural displays on October 28th and 29th (so the same day as the Day of the Dead Market).

Day of the Dead Market 2021 Video

The following video shows what the market looked like a couple of years ago when it was smaller and took place at Ocean Artworks. It was outdoors but in a covered area. As you can see, there were all sorts of products for sale at the 2021 event, including jewellery, paintings and baked goods. There was also someone in a Catrina skeleton costume.