Día de Muertos: Where to Celebrate the Day of the Dead in the US
Are you of Mexican or of Mexican descent and want to pay homage to your culture in a fun and educational way? Are you simply interested in this fascinating holiday? Well, you’re in luck, because the Día de Muertos celebration is finally here!
The holiday of the Day of the Dead takes place in Mexico on November 1 and 2 but it’s widely celebrated throughout the US as well. On this joyous occasion, the tradition says that the souls of our dearly departed return home to the world of the living for a short while. This is a harmonious mix of Catholic religious rituals brought by the Spaniards during the conquest of Latin America and the commemoration of the Día de Muertos that the indigenous people had since pre-Hispanic times.
This year, we took the time to search “Dia de Muertos events near me” so you wouldn’t have to! Here are some fun celebrations to join in three major cities for the Mexican community: New York, Houston, and Los Angeles!
New York City, NY
Day of the Dead Family Celebration
November 1, 4:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Join in the Día de Muertos celebration by the Green-Wood Historic Fund and honor the tradition through family-friendly crafts, performances, music, activities, and food! Admission is free of charge, but a $10 donation is encouraged.
Día de los Muertos sugar skull! A Musical Adventure
November 1, 5:00 p.m.
Count Basie Center for the Arts has put together a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional Mexican music and regional dances to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Enjoy some Día de Muertos traditions such as fun crafts, performances, and the Calavera Catrina contest! Tickets are $10 + fees.
Areyto NYC presents Dia De Los Muertos
November 1, 6:00 p.m.
Somewhere Nowhere NYC presents a Dia De Los Muertos party, featuring an immersive experience with sounds by Geko Jones, Beyond & Lord G and a Día de Muertos altar by Chiquita Brujita. The price is $42.93 and you can purchase a VIP table on their website.
Southern California
Plaza de la Raza Día de los Muertos Festival
Lincoln Heights, L.A. November 1, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Join in the free outdoor celebration for the whole family, with Día de Muertos food, art exhibitions, performances, workshops and craft vendors. All guests are welcome to add photos or items of loved ones to our main community altar. There will also be a Día de Muertos ofrenda for pets!
Día de los Muertos Mexican Music with Dudamel
Downtown L.A. November 1, 8:00 p.m.
At the Walt Disney Concert Hall, take part in a festive exploration of Latin American music with vibrant Afro-Mexican and Brazilian tunes. It features Villa-Lobos’ progressive tour de force and Gabriela Ortiz’s 2019 Yanga. Come early to enjoy some Día de Muertos art such as crafting your own nicho shadow box and taking in an exhibition of ofrendas. Tickets range from $65 to $239.
Long Beach Día de Los Muertos Grand Parade
Long Beach. November 2, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Take part in the 9th annual Día de Muertos celebration, a free, family friendly parade with colorful floats that will begin at the intersection of Pine Avenue and East Third Street, then travel down Pine Avenue to East Shoreline Drive. This will coincide with an Arte y Ofrendas Festival at Marina Green Park!
Houston, TX
Día de los Muertos Bread at URBE
November 1, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Come eat at URBE, where they will be selling handmade pan de muerto, a type of sweet bread, traditionally baked in Mexico. The sweetened soft bread is shaped to represent a grave and often has skulls or crossbones added in extra dough to represent the souls of our deceased loved ones. Price is $4.50 each, or you can get a cream-filled one for $7.
Calavera con Calavera at Miller Outdoor Theatre
November 1, 7:30 p.m
In its fifth edition in a row, this theater production tells the story of the Burgos family as they prepare for Día de Muertos, delving into the tradition’s many elements and the meaning of embracing death as a celebration of life’s beauty. The performance is free of charge and includes English subtitles.
Día de los Muertos at the Children’s Museum
November 2, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Children’s Museum Houston will be magically transformed into a colorful, beautiful and bountiful Land of the Dead, bursting with incredible offerings of Mariachi, sugar skulls and Día de Muertos marigolds. Activities include workshops, face painting, dance performances, and fun crafts like Q-Tip skeletons, scary skull masks and personalized Día de Muertos calavera puppets! You’ll only have to pay the admission fee like every other day.
These are just examples of the many Día de Muertos celebrations throughout the country, so take a minute to browse the web to find an option that suits you the best! And remember: if you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry! The important part of this Mexican celebration is to pay homage to the loved ones who are no longer with us in this plane, so you can take part in Día de Muertos at home to reconnect with them whenever you feel like it.