Tucson All Souls Procession

The Tucson All Souls Procession is an annual event in Tucson, Arizona that is a combination of art, tradition, grieving, healing, celebration and culture.

The annual procession gathers more than 100,000 participants in a peaceful and somber celebration on a Sunday of the week that follows the Day of the Dead.

This local tradition started in 1990 when artist Susan Johnson expressed her grieving over the death of her father in a public display of art. In subsequent years she was joined by other artists as the event grew to what it is today.

Today, in addition to the two-mile human procession that closely resembles a Mexican Day of the Dead event there is entertainment, altars and art displays. It is an event that draws together people from different backgrounds, beliefs and personal characteristics.

During the event people deposit pieces of paper in a large geodesic metal urn. Slips of paper that carry their written thoughts, hopes, remembrances and names of the departed. The messages in the urn are then set on fire at the end of the march.

The All Souls Procession is a beautiful display of community gathering, mourning, calm healing and individual expression. Read more about the procession here.