Old Town Coachella will transform into a sprawling Día de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 7, as Run With Los Muertos returns for its 13th year. More than 1,000 runners have already signed up for the evening 5K, which anchors a free block party built around a procession, art walk, car show, vendor village and three stages of live entertainment.
The free, multigenerational event is designed to bring health and wellness together with art, music and culture, according to Run With Los Muertos's own event description. Organizers say the celebration draws dozens of community groups, teams, artists, musicians and runners, along with thousands of attendees from the United States, Mexico and Canada. The registration numbers for 2026 were reported by NBC Palm Springs, which noted that more than 1,000 runners had already registered ahead of race day.
A Tradition Honoring Loved Ones
Event founder and organizer Tizoc DeAztlan said the gathering brings the community together, honors loved ones who have died, and celebrates traditions that keep their memories alive, per the station's report. That framing has defined Run With Los Muertos since its earliest years, blending the solemnity of Día de los Muertos remembrance with a festival atmosphere of music, costumes and community pride.
This year's race will be emceed by Alondra Campos, the same reporter who authored the NBC Palm Springs piece on the event's return. Organizers have invited the broader community to take part in Saturday's celebration, according to the same account.
Saturday's Schedule and Registration Details
According to the event's official site, the car show rolls up and sets up at 3 p.m., with the car show itself, art walk, vendor zone, bar and cantina all kicking off at 4 p.m. Registration for the 5K includes a bib, T-shirt and glow necklace, per RunSignup's event page. Runners who sign up on or after Tuesday could see their event T-shirt delayed by up to four weeks after race night, the registration platform notes.
Six days before the main event, Sunnylands will host a special gathering Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. intended to bring the community together ahead of Saturday's festivities, NBC Palm Springs reported.
A 5K That Has Grown Over a Decade
Run With Los Muertos has come a long way since its debut, when DeAztlan said there were only 200-something runners in the first year, according to The Desert Sun. Before the pandemic, the race typically drew about 500 runners alongside 6,000 to 7,000 spectators, the paper reported. By its 10th anniversary in 2023, the event had grown to feature three stages with live bands and DJs performing throughout the night.
The race's evening timing has become one of its signature traits as it has grown in popularity in recent years, according to KYMA. Last year's 12th edition followed a similar format, with vendor village, car show, art walk and education programming starting at 4 p.m. ahead of a 6 p.m. run, as reported by KESQ. Back in 2019, organizers expected between 4,000 and 5,000 people to celebrate in Old Town Coachella, according to the Coachella Valley Independent, underscoring how the race has evolved from a small community run into one of the valley's marquee fall traditions.
