TEXAS, USA — Día de Los Muertos is coming up so WFAA put together a list of ways to celebrate in North Texas. The holiday traces back to the indigenous roots of Mexico and is celebrated on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
During the pre-Hispanic time, when a person died, they were wrapped in a petate (A Nahuatl word for woven bed), and their family organized a party to guide the deceased to the afterlife.
It was believed that the deceased individual had to go through several challenging levels before reaching Mictlán, the land of the dead. Families would lay out the individual’s favorite foods, drinks, and items that brought them comfort.
The tradition has since become a combination of religious rituals brought to Mexico by the Spanish and the indigenous traditions. In accordance with the Catholic calendar, Nov. 1 is dedicated to deceased children, and Nov. 2 is dedicated to the adults that have passed.
In modern-day celebrations, families build an altar and decorate it with marigolds, sugar skulls, food, incense, photos of those being remembered. Some families also continue the tradition of going to the cemetery and decorating their loved one’s tomb.
The holiday is celebrated throughout Mexico with some regions having variations of the celebration. It has also gained popularity in the U.S. and several events are planned throughout the Metroplex to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
EVENTS
La Gran Plaza
Where: La Gran Plaza de Fort Worth
4200 S Freeway, Fort Worth
When: October 24 - November 1
The “Altar de Muertos” features one-of-a-kind skulls and catrinas made specifically for La Gran Plaza by artist Mirna del Valle, a graduate of the University of Guadalajara in Mexico and specializing in painting and sculpture. The altar is truly a work of art and will be on display by the MetroPCS Stage. A cultural performance featuring the traditions of the Day of the Dead by Grupo Pakal will occur on November 1 at the MetroPCS Stage. Admission is free.
Dallas College Mountain View
Where: 4849 W. Illinois Ave, Dallas
When: Altar exhibit November 1
5 p.m. to 9 p.m. November 2
The event will feature live music and performances, food trucks, and games for kids.
Crown Hill Memorial Park, Dallas
Celebración del Día de los Muertos
Where: Crown Hill Memorial Park
9718 Webb Chapel Rd, Dallas
When: 4:15 pm-6:45 pm, Tuesday, November 2
For the first time, Crown Hill Memorial Park will celebrate Día de los Muertos for over two days. The celebration will include Mayan dancers, mariachis, altars, face-painting, and more.
Past events:
Legacy Hall, Plano
Dia de los Muertos Festival
Where: Legacy Hall
7800 Windrose Ave., Plano,
When: 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Oct. 31
Legacy Hall is celebrating Dia de los Muertos all day long with family-friendly activities in the afternoon followed by a live performance by Los Skarnales and Mariachi Rosas Divinas. Los Skarnales’ high energy performance brings sounds from ska, reggae, and cumbia, while Mariachi Rosas Divinas, DFW’s first and only all-female Mariachi, will have guests on their feet for the entire performance!
This free event kicks off in the afternoon with sugar skull face painting and a screening of Coco. Then, attendees can sit back and enjoy an authentic dance performance by Anita M. Martinez Ballet Folklorico.
Fort Worth
Dia De Los Muertos Mercado at Paco’s Mexican Cuisine
Where: 508 W Magnolia Avenue, Fort Worth
When: 12-9 pm, Sunday, October 31
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with Paco’s Mexican Cuisine and Islas Tropicales Frutería at the inaugural Day of the Dead market featuring over 18 local vendors from 12-9 p.m. Activities include raffles, a DJ and live music, trick-or-treating, a jump house and drink and food specials.
Fort Worth Public Library
Día de los Muertos at Fort Worth Public Library
Where: Fort Worth Central Library
500 West 3rd Street, Fort Worth
When: 2 - 4 pm, October 30.
Head to the Fort Worth Central Library in downtown from 2 to 4 p.m. for a free, interactive celebration of Día de los Muertos. Families will learn fun facts about the history of the holiday, play games and create a fun work of art.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
¡Celebramos! A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage in Fort Worth
Where: Fort Worth Botanic Garden
3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth
When: 3:30 - 9 pm, October 30
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden | Botanical Research Institute of Texas (FWBG | BRIT) invites guests to a Dia de los Muertos - Celebration of Life Street Party on October 30. The event will include children’s activities from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. followed by entertainment from a TCU mariachi band and folklorico dancers, cash bar, Socorro Tequila tastings and more from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Purchase tickets here.
Marine Park, Fort Worth
Dia De Los Muertos En Fort Worth, Celebración De Vida Y Cultura
Where: Marine Park
303 N.W. 20th St., Fort Worth
When: 10 am – 4 pm, October 30
Artes De La Rosa proudly presents Día de los Muertos en Fort Worth in partnership with the City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Latino Police Officers Association and Visit Fort Worth.
Join for this milestone 18th annual celebration in North Side with special events including an inaugural Celebration Parade from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by festivities from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Marine Park that includes food, visual artists, face painting, mariachis, ballet folklorico, opera and more.
The event is free to attend, and the community and visitors are invited to wear traditional costumes. More information at www.artesdelarosa.org/index.php/dia-de-los-muertos
Downtown Grand Prairie
Dia de los Muertos
Where: 300 West Main St., Grand Prairie
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., October 30
A processional will take place from City Hall Plaza to the Farmers Market where performances, arts & crafts, food trucks, and vendors will be available. At approximately 8:00 p.m. there will be a special showing of Coco.
Latino Cultural Center, Dallas
Where: Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak St, Dallas
When: 7:15 pm- 8:15 pm, Saturday, October 30.
Bataan Center, Dallas
Where: The Bataan Center
3232 Bataan, Dallas
When: 1 pm - 7 pm , Saturday, October 30
Live Music, Food, Drinks, Kids Games, Raffles, Ballet Folklorico, Matachines, Face Painting, and Vendors.
Oak Cliff Cultural Center & CocoAndré
Where: 508 W. 7th St., Dallas, TX 75208
When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., October 30
The first 100 visitors will receive free hot chocolate courtesy of CocoAndré Chocolatier and Horchateria to celebrate over 10 years of arts and culture at the Oak Cliff Cultural Center.
Farmers Branch
Where: 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Farmers Branch
When: 630 p.m. to 9 p.m., October 28
Festivities include tapas and dessert, elotes, a signature cocktail, aguas frescas, cinnamon hot chocolate, traditional décor, music, education about the holiday, and honoring the deceased.
Oak Cliff
Where: Oak Cliff Cultural Center
223 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas
When: 6:45 p.m., Friday, October 29
Learn about Día de los Muertos and paint a Tree of Life. Spots are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.