Taking place on the first couple days of November, Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a celebration that honors the dead in Mexico. It features festivities that are all about tradition and culture. It’s thought that the Aztecs started this celebration and today it’s celebrated not just in Mexico, but in the U.S. as well. These are some of the most popular Day of the Dead celebrations that occur in the United States.
- The Festival of Altars
San Francisco, California
November 2
Taking place since the 1970s, around 15,000 people are expected to be in attendance this year. This event is held in Garfield Square and attendees can bring candles, flowers or mementos of a loved one that has passed. There will be ofrendas to place these items on that will feature Mexican art. Attendees can enjoy a candlelight procession, performances and live music.
- Muerto Fest
San Antonio, Texas
October 27 and 28
Being so close to the Mexican border, it’s not surprising that this city celebrates Day of the Dead. The festivities take place in the La Villita Historic Arts Village. Attendees can enjoy a wide range of live music performances as well as traditional altar displays, parades that feature puppets and poetry performances. Another Day of the Dead event that will be occurring in San Antonio this year is the SAY Si Muertitos Fest. It will be held on November 2 and 3 and will feature foods stands and art workshops.
- Olvera Street Dia de los Muertos
Los Angeles, California
October 25 through November 2
Taking place for more than 30 years, there’s a lot for attendees to do at this festival. Every evening there will be Novenario processions where attendees can pay their respects to those that have died by burning incenses and holding pictures of their deceased loved ones. Afterwards, they can indulge in a special drink called a champurrado. It’s similar to hot chocolate, but made out of corn flour. Other events that occur during this 9-day festival include face painting, children’s workshops and live entertainment.
- Florida Day of the Dead Celebration
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
November 2
Despite only occurring for one day, during its 9-year existence this festival has become one of the country’s largest Day of the Dead celebrations. This free event features a “Skeleton Processional” at 6:30 p.m. Around 2,000 skeletons and 50 large puppets will walk down the street towards Riverwalk. Here there will be food trucks, opportunities to make arts and crafts and mariachi bands playing.
Learn more about the Day of the Dead and it’s history.
Other blog posts that may interest you: Halloween Traditions Around the World, Scariest Haunted Houses in America & Historic Haunted Hotels in the U.S.
