A procession of mariachis, folkloric dancers, stilt walkers and oversized calavera and Catrina puppets will wind through CityPlace Doral on Sunday, Nov. 1, as the outdoor center at 8300 NW 36th Street holds its fifth annual Day of the Dead Celebration. The free event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and centers on the Fountain Plaza, with the parade moving across the whole property.

Comedian Rafael Leidenz is the emcee, and CityPlace Doral says he will close out part of the evening with a tribute to Juan Gabriel, performing as the Mexican singer-songwriter. Baila Conmigo Kids, a youth dance group, also has a spot on the program.

The decorations are already up

The Nov. 1 event is the finale of a month-long installation. CityPlace Doral began dressing the plaza in Día de los Muertos decor in October, with sugar skulls, hanging color overhead and photo stops placed around the center. The installation stays in place through Nov. 3, so families who cannot make the Sunday celebration still have about two weeks to walk through it and take pictures.

Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition, observed across much of Latin America, in which families remember relatives who have died, usually on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, with altars, marigolds, food and music. CityPlace Doral's version is now in its fifth year, and this year's Sunday date lines up with the first day of the holiday itself.

What families can do on Nov. 1

  • The procession: folkloric dancers, mariachis, stilt walkers and giant calavera and Catrina puppets moving through the center.
  • Face painting: offered at no charge.
  • Food sampling: tastes from restaurants at CityPlace Doral.
  • El Mercado: a vendor market set up for shopping during the event.
  • Stage performances: Rafael Leidenz as host, his Juan Gabriel tribute and the Baila Conmigo Kids dancers.

The celebration is free, but CityPlace Doral asks guests to register in advance through the event's Eventbrite page, which is linked from the center's events listing.

Before that: a Super Hero Bash on Oct. 24

One week earlier, on Saturday, Oct. 24, CityPlace Doral holds a free Super Hero Bash from 2 to 5 p.m. The afternoon is built around a touch-a-truck lineup and is meant to honor first responders alongside comic-book heroes, and kids are invited to come in costume.

Vehicles and crews scheduled to take part come from the City of Doral Police Department, the City of Doral Public Works Department, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade County Corrections and Rehabilitation, Jackson Health System and Global Empowerment Mission (GEM). Fire trucks, ambulances and police cruisers will be open for kids to explore, and the center lists games, giveaways and costumed characters as part of the day. Registration is also requested for this event.

Also on the CityPlace calendar this fall

The center's Sunday Market returned on Sept. 20 and runs every Sunday through December from 2 to 8 p.m., which means it overlaps with the Day of the Dead Celebration on Nov. 1. Food Truck Friday, held on the third Friday of each month from 6 to 10 p.m., had its October edition on Oct. 16 and comes back on Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, with free admission and food for sale.

Practical details

  • What: CityPlace Doral's fifth annual Day of the Dead Celebration, with a center-wide procession, a Juan Gabriel tribute by emcee Rafael Leidenz, face painting, restaurant samples and the El Mercado vendor market.
  • When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, 4 to 7 p.m. Decorations are on display through Nov. 3.
  • Where: Fountain Plaza, CityPlace Doral, 8300 NW 36th Street, Doral, FL 33166.
  • Cost: Free. Advance registration is requested through the Eventbrite link on the CityPlace Doral event page.
  • Also: Super Hero Bash, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 2 to 5 p.m., free with registration.

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