Best Night of the Year

Procession of the Dead

STAFF PICK: This is the city's most vibrant spontaneous explosion of creative energy. Hundreds of people come out of the woodwork after spending anywhere from the last 10 minutes to the last year making costumes, puppets, mobile shrines and floats. Tucson Puppetworks makes extra puppets for people who show up empty-handed and want to participate. The creative minds at Bicas create all kinds of wheeled contraptions and conveyances, and musicians are out in force. Flam Chen dazzles the procession with flame performances on the Stone and Fourth Avenue underpasses. Big glowing ghostiebugs float from wires stretched across Congress Street. Despite all this baroque coolness, the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive.