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Here in the US, Halloween tends to monopolize the month of October’s headlines. It’s all pumpkins, costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating.
There is, however, a more colorful, rich, and deeply spiritual festival from our friends in the south that is finding its way into our October festivities. Mexico’s “Día de los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead” festival celebrates the time of year when the gates of heaven open.
This joyful celebration is full of life, and it shouldn’t be missed!
A lot of sweet, and just a little bit of spooky. Shutterstock
Can’t make it to Mexico City to celebrate? No problem. Today you can find festivals celebrating Dia de los Muertos all over the United States. Here are ten incredible Día de los Muertos celebrations that are vacation-worthy.
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History of Dia de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead, a public holiday in Mexico, is celebrated every November 2nd. It’s a cultural tradition that originated in ancient Mesoamerica, where indigenous people, including the Aztecs, held rituals celebrating the deaths of ancestors long before Spanish colonization.
These indigenous celebrations merged with the Catholic observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day after the Spanish arrived in the 16th century.
The multi-day festivals are celebrated primarily in parts of Mexico, from October 31st to November 2nd. During this time, families create ornate altars known as “ofrendas,” adorned with marigold flowers, candles, photographs, and favorite foods of the departed to honor and invite the souls of the deceased back for a brief reunion with the living. The day before Dia de los Muertos is known as the Day of the Little Angels; it is when the spirits of children return for a visit.
How can what is viewed as such a somber topic – death – become such a colorful and vibrant celebration? The Day of the Dead challenges the perception that death is the end of our lives; it presents the idea that life continues after death. The rich tapestry of colors serve as a reminder that those whom we loved and who have passed on really lived and were loved. They are still loved.
Day of the Dead Festivals
Santa Monica, California: Colorful Tribute to Life and Death
Downtown Santa Monica’s Día de los Muertos Celebration is a can’t-miss event coming this October, bringing family-friendly fun to LA’s Westside.
On Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 2. to 8 p.m., the Día de los Muertos Celebration will transform the Third Street Promenade into a colorful tribute to life and death. This lively event will feature performances by Aztec dancers, mariachi bands, and ballet folklórico groups, immersing attendees in the rich Mexican tradition. Families can enjoy interactive arts, crafts, games, and face painting, while a Latinx popup market curated by Molcajete Dominguero will offer unique items. The celebration will also showcase awe-inspiring art installations, including towering La Catrina sculptures and Alebrije installations created by renowned Mexican artist Ricardo Soltero. These sculptures, along with community altars and art from VIVA LA, will be on display from Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27, connecting attendees with the heritage and beauty of this meaningful celebration.
San Antonio, Texas: A Floating Parade Like No Other
Venice is not the only place to witness a parade on water. San Antonio is home to a floating Dia de Muertos celebration unlike any other. The city’s iconic River Walk transforms into a vibrant canal of colorful barges, each one adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls, and larger-than-life skeleton puppets.
San Antonio is one of the best places in the US to get Tex-Mex. Grab a seat at one of the many outdoor dining areas while mariachi tunes play in the background, makes this a festival you will want to attend over and over again.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront! Kids stay free!
Los Angeles, California: Hollywood’s Take on Tradition
Leave it to LA to infuse a dash of Hollywood glamor into the traditional Day of the Dead festivities.
While the city boasts various cultural events, the festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is an unmissable festival. There, you will find Aztec blessings, traditional folk performances, and art exhibitions all amongst celebrity graves.
Tradition has it that on this one special day the dead return to celebrate with the living for a brief reunion. Party with the ghosts of Judy Garland and Burt Reynolds? Yes, please!
Keep the vibe going! Stay at the glam Hollywood Roosevelt!
The only day of the year that a cemetery takes center stage in Hollywood. Shutterstock
Tucson, Arizona: A Spiritual Experience
Tucson’s All Souls Procession is a two-day fiesta that’s part carnival and part spiritual ceremony with a heavy dose of musical performances.
Giant skeleton puppets dance around with thousands of participants who are all decked out in colorful makeup and costumes. Wafting through the air, the traditional music mixes with the sweet smell of pan de muertos (bread of the dead). The visuals, sounds, smells, and tastes will leave all of your senses satiated.
The event concludes with a grand Finale Ceremony featuring larger-than-life-sized photos of ancestors along with a burning urn filled with treasured mementos of lost loved ones. This is a celebration of life on the Day of the Dead.
Giddy up at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
Generations come together to celebrate life beyond death. Shutterstock
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Where Balloons Meet Marigolds
Albuquerque is known for its colorful International Balloon Fiesta, but come Day of the Dead, the city turns its attention towards the spiritual celebrations closer to the ground, or in this case, under the ground.
DON’T MISS! Float Like A Ghost At The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
Local artisans showcase their craft in the Marigold Parade. From intricate papel picado (cut paper artworks) to delightfully detailed Calaveras (skulls), captivating art is paraded down the streets in honor of lost loved ones. The air is full with the scent of marigolds which are believed to attract spirits.
Stay at the Hotel Albuquerque near hostoric Old Town!
San Francisco, California: The Luminous Path
San Francisco’s annual Day of the Dead procession in the Mission District is a luminous celebration.
Participants carry candles and images of departed family members, bringing the streets alive with the glow of memories and love. The festival is a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of life. Attendants leave feeling wrapped in the warmth of this community.
Stay at The Marker by Union Square for a chic city experience!
Tucson’s burning urn filled with treasured momentos of loved ones.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Skeleton Processional
Sunny Florida is a popular family destination any time of the year, but Fort Lauderdale’s Day of the Dead Festival, a fusion of art and tradition, makes the end of October a particularly inviting time. (Not to mention the weather can’t be beat!)
The Skeleton Processional is a sight to behold! Women dressed as La Catrina (sometimes called La Calavera Catrina, elegant female skull), a female skeleton who is elegantly painted like a sugar skull, embodies the moody beauty of this celebration. With over 50 local artists showcasing their artistic variations on the traditional skeletal designs, this parade is a tribute to the past and the future.
Once the parade winds down, the party continues with skull face painting, puppetry, and even a “Muertos” costume contest. If you feel like flaunting your creative side, this is the festival for you!
Stay steps from the parade and the river at Riverside Hotel
Detroit, Michigan: Aisle of Altars
The Motor City might be best known for its cars and Motown, but come Day of the Dead, Detroit’s Mexican Town transforms itself into the star of the show.
Streets line up with marigold petals that lead straight to a display of vibrant altars filled with heartfelt tributes from those left behind.
Stay at the exquisite and conveniently located Aloft Detroit at David Whitley
La Calavera Catrina, the elegant skull. Shutterstock
DON’T MISS! Dewali: Celebrating the Festival of Light With Kids
Washington D.C.: Monuments, Museums, and Marigolds
Our capital is always a wonderful family destination, but it gets beautifully dressed for Day of the Dead.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian hosts an annual celebration showcasing native dances, artisanal crafts, and storytelling sessions. It’s both an educational and entertaining dive into the rich history of the festival.
The National Portrait Gallery also offers an annual and free celebration. Inside the museum is music and a dance jamboree. Outside, in the evening, the walls of the museum come alive with projected imagery celebrating Day of the Dead.
Stay at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf for a comfortable stay that’s close to the action
Chicago, Illinois: Windy City, Spirited Celebrations
In the heart of the Midwest, Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art hosts one of the most renowned Day of the Dead exhibitions.
But the real magic?
The neighborhood parades in Pilsen. Kids, adults, and even dogs put on intricate costumes and skeletal face paints. It is a fiesta that’s equal parts haunting and heartwarming.
And if you’re feeling a bit hungry after all the dancing, local eateries serve up a delicious array of mole dishes and mezcal cocktails.
Stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago for unbelievable views near the parades
[ctt template=”8″ link=”c2t3B” via=”no” ]Festivals celebrating Dia de los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – happen from New York to Los Angeles. Here’s our top 10![/ctt]
New York City, New York: Big Apple’s Big-Hearted Tribute
NYC, a melting pot of cultures, naturally hosts an eclectic Day of the Dead fiesta.
St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery is where you’ll find the heart of the celebration. Community members pull together to create handcrafted altars, sugar skull workshops, and traditional dances.
For a modern twist, head to East Harlem. Its annual procession is a brilliant blend of tradition and Big Apple pizzazz.
Stay at the Moxy NYC East Village for a unique experience
The Day of the Dead, while deeply rooted in Mexican tradition, has found a unique voice in the US. These ten incredible Day of the Dead festivals are a testament to the United State’s ability to embrace and integrate diverse cultures while also lending its own unique flavor.
So, next time October rolls around, swap out that witch’s hat for a flower crown, paint on a skeletal grin, and immerse yourself in one of these delightful Day of the Dead celebrations.
Here’s to life, death, and everything in between!
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