A longtime Día de los Muertos festival in San Antonio has been canceled this year as organizers cite concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity and its effects on the community.
Planet K, which has organized the annual celebration at Woodlawn Lake Park in San Antonio for 20 years, announced the cancellation Oct. 14. The festival had been scheduled for Nov. 2.
In a social media statement, organizers cited political and economic challenges, as well as concerns about immigration enforcement.
“We refuse to bring people together under ICE TERRORISM & political war and the immigration enforcement that caused ongoing conflict,” Planet K said.
The decision marks only the second time the festival has been canceled in its two-decade
history. The previous cancellation occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to organizers.
Why was the Día de los Muertos festival canceled?
Planet K said the decision was not made lightly and apologized to the charities, vendors, artists, families and community organizations that have supported or benefited from the event over the years.
The festival has helped support local youth programs, community organizations and families in need, organizers said.
San Antonio City Council District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito also expressed concern about the cancellation, saying fears surrounding immigration enforcement have spread throughout the community.
“People who are U.S. citizens or not criminals are fearful of ICE,” Gavito told Texas Public Radio. She described residents hearing reports of people being detained in everyday settings, including grocery store parking lots.
Woodlawn Lake Park representatives clarified that Planet K independently organizes the festival, without involvement from the city, District 7 or the Woodlawn Lake Community Association.
The cancellation comes amid broader tensions between San Antonio officials and federal immigration authorities. On Oct. 13, the city filed a federal legal challenge seeking to block a proposed immigration detention facility on the East Side, according to local reporting.
Will other Día de los Muertos events take place in San Antonio?
Although the Woodlawn Lake festival will not take place this year, other Día de los Muertos celebrations remain scheduled across San Antonio.
Muertos Fest is scheduled for Oct. 23-25 at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio. The three-day event is expected to feature altars honoring the dead, live music, art and processions.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition honoring deceased loved ones. Celebrations commonly include ofrendas, or offerings, decorated with photographs, candles, marigolds and favorite foods.
Planet K said it hopes to bring the Woodlawn Lake festival back in 2027 and encouraged community members to vote in the Nov. 3 elections.
Where is Woodlawn Lake Park?
Brandi D. Addison covers weather nationwide as the Weather Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network and contributes to Texas Connect coverage statewide. She can be reached at baddison@usatodayco.com. Follow her on Facebook here.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Día de los Muertos festival in Texas canceled over ICE fears
