Florida Day of the Dead Celebration

Memory for the Dead, Party for the Living.

Since 2010 during this sacred time of year, the gate between Florida and Mictlán, the mythological Aztec “Land of the Dead”, opens as thousands of participants costumed like playful skeletons honor their ancestors in a FREE Signature Autumn Event for all of South Florida over the past 15 years.

DOTD ANNOUNCEMENT

July 15th, 2025

Hello Friends of the Florida Day of the Dead Celebration,

Jim Hammond and their Puppet Network Team want to thank you all for 15 years of your continued support with our Florida Day of the Dead Celebration. It has been a great success in how it has brought together community. The event, which topped 30,000 participants for our 10th anniversary on 2019, has won international accolades on “Top 10 Lists” worldwide. Big thanks to the artists, families, patrons. and sponsors who brought this event to life throughout the years.

Unfortunately, Puppet Network will no longer be producing our large event in Fort Lauderdale. This is a difficult decision but necessary after the flood that destroyed our headquarters two years ago. We have been slowly recovering thanks to many of you.

Puppet Network will continue to work as the Florida Day of the Dead brand for consulting on events nationwide, performing our 15 plus giant skeletons, curating Ofrendas exhibitons and leading puppet fabrication workshops throughout Florida this September and November. To book any of these for your festivities, please email your event dates, locations, and details to eckestudios@gmail.com.

We will also promote through the Florida Day of the Dead brand authentic, free, family, cultural events in partnership the Mexican Government and Consul General which will include Dia de los Muertos festivities throughout Florida. To list your event on our FB Pages, please send your website and event link to dotdflorida@gmail.com.

Again, thank you for your continued friendship and support through the years.

Sincerely, Jim Hammond

Executive Producer and Founder, Florida Day of the Dead Celebration

&

Owner, Puppet Network

Our focus on authentic Day of the Dead (DOTD) traditions

has set FLORIDA DOTD apart…

– “AMERICA’S BEST DOTD CELEBRATIONS” – Travel Channel, Lonely Planet, Tripping
– “TOP 10 DOTD FESTIVALS IN NORTH AMERICA” – The USA Today
– “TOP 6 DOTD EVENTS IN THE USA” – LA Times, Thrillest, My Modern Met, Afar Magazine
– “TOP 3 DOTD FESTIVALS IN THE USA” – ABC Television, “The List” TV
– “#1 DOTD EVENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA” – Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald, New Times
– “#1 DOTD FESTIVAL IN THE USA” – Modello USA

Highlights over the years

FOLKLORICO STAGE

As a centerpiece of the festival, the Folklorico Stage has showcased over 150 performers presenting the best of indigenous and folk dance and music traditions from Mexico and throughout Latin America! Latin food trucks, sugar skull face painting, and craft booths too! BOOK FOR YOUR EVENT!

SKELETON PROCESSIONAL

A playful spectacle that honors the Mexican tradition where skeleton costumed revelers animate dozens of 7’-18’ tall giant puppets from Puppet Network and the Puppet Guild of South Florida. Volunteers learned how to be a processional puppeteer with our pros. BOOK FOR YOUR EVENT!

OFRENDAS EXHIBITIONS

Ofrendas are altars of remembrance which bring together photos, flowers, mementos, food, and candles as a reflection of lost loved ones. Puppet Network has taught workshops for community members to design their own altars for 15 years.

BOOK FOR YOUR EVENT!