SAN ANTONIO – Los Lobos, a Mexican-American rock band from Los Angeles, has been announced as the headliner for the free Día de Los Muertos festival in downtown San Antonio this October.

Muertos Fest, San Antonio’s largest Día de Los Muertos festival, will celebrate its 10th anniversary at Hemisfair on Oct. 29-30.

More than 100,000 people are expected to attend Muertos Fest this year. Admission to the festival is free and open to the public.

“We are proud to bring a band like Los Lobos to San Antonio, one of the most venerated rock groups of all time,” said Jim Mendiola, the festival’s artistic director. “They are truly one of America’s legendary bands, and to bring them to Día de los Muertos at Hemisfair for free reflects our event’s fundamental principle to share our cultura with the people of San Antonio.”

The official lineup for Muertos Fest includes more than 50 musicians, bands, dance groups and poets.

Music acts include:

• Azul, Eddie & the Valiants, El Dusty, Guadalupe Dance Company, Los Nahuatlatos feat. Bexar Brass, Luna Luna, Mariachi las Alteñas, Mariangela, Money Chicha, Piñata Protest, Santiago Jimenez Jr., Sun•Day, Volcán, Black Bird Sing, Brizzo Torres, Ghost Tracks, Grupo Frackaso, Juan & Armando Tejeda, Mariachi Las Valquirias, Mariachi Nuevo Jalisco, Nuevo, San Antonio Parks & Rec Dance Program, Rat King Cole, Tallercito de Son, Tarrasco Tropical y los San Quilmeros, Zombie Bazaar, Nicho Sonido: Música for Grieving & Healing, Vol. II, DJ Despeinada ft., DJ Tear Drop, DJ Cha, Sunnyboy, DJ Mexican Blackbird, DJ XOEMIX, DJ Sucia Q

Poetry artists expected to perform:

• Amalia Ortiz, Anthony the Poet, Eddie Vega, Tomas Castillo-Roque, Victoria Fennell

Dance, Drum & Puppet Procession performers:

• Las Monas, Danza Azteca Kalpulli Ayolopaktzin, Renegade Composer Nathan Felix, featuring La Murga de Austin, Troupé Group Hermes, Los Gardea, Inner City Development, Guadalupe Dance Company, Tallercito de Son, Rebecca Medina Tribute, Mariachi Azteca de América.

New for this year, will be a first-ever unique combination of a drum line and opera singers created by composer Nathan Felix, a Mexican American composer known for his immersive operas and experimental films, according to a press release.

Broadcast on KSAT 12 and across the nation

This is the first year Muertos Fest will be broadcast to the nation.

KSAT12 will be on-site on Saturday, October 29 to record a prime-time special, which will air on Sunday, October 30 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. on KSAT12, KSAT.com and KSAT+.

The broadcast will be hosted by KSAT12′s Alicia Barrera and Stephania Jimenez.

In addition to live music, there will be original artwork, dancing, live poetry, a drum and puppet procession and the largest open altar exhibition in San Antonio.

There will be four stages of live music, 80 altars honoring local families and loved ones who have passed on and special events for children, artists and families.

Announcements for the Children’s Stage performers, Rolling Disco and workshop schedule will be made at a later date.

“As in years past, the heart of Muertos Fest continues to be the community altars or ofrendas, honoring those who have passed on,” added Mendiola. “A record-setting 80 altars will grace the grounds of Hemisfair this year. Muertos Fest has truly become a San Antonio tradition.”

If you want to submit a photo to be included in the Community Altar, fill out this form.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.

The entrance to the festival will be located near the intersection of Nueva and Alamo Streets.

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