Families remember deceased loved ones and honor them by building offering altars (ofrendas) where sugar skulls are placed, along with offerings of pan de muertos. The holiday is festive although the subject may not be, as spirits are welcomed back into peoples' lives for another year.
Updated for 2012.
The Marigold Parade and Festival takes place in Albuquerque's South Valley on Sunday, November 4.
Events
Marigold & Harvest FestivalLa Parada Mercantile will have its own Dia festival in October, with yoga, composting, cooking demos, live music, fresh foods and of course marigolds.
For 2012: October 20.
Dia de los Muertos
South Broadway celebrates the tradition of the Day of the Dead with altars, an art market, and live entertainment. The community celebration features family activities, food face painting and Dia festivities.
For 2012: October 28
Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead in Santa Fe
The International Folk Art Museum will host a Dia with hands-on art such as sugar skull decorating. Make a memory box, leave messages for the dearly departed, and hear live music at this event. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
For 2012: October 28
Old Town Fall Festival
Enjoy the fall season at this annual, free event.
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Trick-or-Treating from Old Town Merchants
- 5 p.m. Pet Parade & Animal Costume Contest - Around Plaza and Gazebo
- 6 p.m. Halloween Performance at the Gazebo (By Interplay School of Music & Art)
- 7 p.m. People Costume Contest at Plaza Don Luis (Sponsored by the Aceves Old Town Basket & Rug Shop)
- 8 p.m. Ghost Tour of Old Town (By Tours of Old Town)
Dia de los Muertos Despedida
The National Hispanic Cultural Center's annual community gathering celebrates Dia with poetry, music, and chocolate. Participate in the despedida, a synthesis between Mesoamerican beliefs and European influences.
For 2012: November 2
Atrisco Heritage 2nd annual Dia De Muertos
The Atrisco area of the south valley becomes a place of community for one evening every year. Dress in calavera attire!
For 2012: November 2, 2012
Dia de los Muertos Marigold Parade
The annual south valley parade presents music, altars, food and art vendors. Come out in your best calavera attire. See images of the event.
For 2012: November 4
The annual Dia de los Muertos celebration in Old Town begins with a parade at 6 p.m.. There will be an art show in the Poco a Poco patio, and from 7 to 10 p.m. there will be music, dance, a community altar and costume contest. Live music includes Wagogo, Mariachi Nuevo Mexico, the New Mexico Marimba Band and Los Primos.
For 2012: November 4
Exhibitions
Via Crucis of the Camino Real
The National Hispanic Cultural Center partners with Casa Aurora Centro Cultural in Chihuahua, Mexico to bring a photographic essay by Ana Livingston Paddock as part of the Dia de los Muertos program. The photo essay documents roadside memorials and Descansos along the Camino Real and Abiquiu, New Mexico.
For 2012: October 6 - November 9
Dia de los Muertos Altars
Artists, teachers and students create traditional and contemporary ofrendas which are installed at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Visit the ofrendas at the Disney Center for the Performing Arts and the Domenici Education Center. The beautiful installation changes each year. The public is invited to visit the ofrendas during regular hours and special events.
For 2012: October 22 - November 9
The South Broadway Cultural Center will feature local artists in their gallery with works reflecting the Dia theme.
For 2012: October 28 - November 18
Tome Gallery Annual Day of the Dead Show
Find Day of the Dead folk art at this unique Santa Fe style gallery in Tome (without the prices). Meet the artists! There will be free shrinky dinks jewelry class, spooky snacks, a costume contest and more. Face painting, henna painting and Day of the Dead tshirts are part of the mix.
For 2012: Reception October 28; show October 26 - November 4
Workshops
- Papel Picado and Paper Crafts, September 8
Make paper marigolds and Papel Picado. - Wood Printing, September 15
Create your own personal stamp and use it to make cards and posters. - Paper mache Creations, Parade Floats and Props, September 22
Create masks, props and design parade floats. - Paper mache Creations, Parade Floats and Props, September 29
Continue to make props and design parade floats. - Silkscreened T-shirts, October 6
Learn to make a Dia de los Muertos t-shirt. - Sugar Skulls and Face Painting October 13
Make sugar skills and learn face painting techniques. - Altars: History, Traditions and Symbols, October 20
Learn how to construct an altar and other Dia de los Muertos traditions.
Where: El Jardin Studios, 803 La Vega SW
Cost: Free.
La Parada Workshops
La Parada Mercantile offers a series of free workshops.
- Community Altars, October 10
- Calavera Mask Making, October 13
- Sugar Skull Decorating and Paper Flower Workshop
- Tin Butterfly Workshop
Where: 8917 Fourth NW
National Hispanic Cultural Center Dia Workshops
- The Art of Papel Picado, September 25
- Mini-Ofrendas, October 2
- Dia de los Muertos Cooking Class: Chocolate y Pan de Muerto, October 9
National Hispanic Cultural Center Community Events
On the first Saturday of every month, NHCC's Education Program invites families for a tour of the Art Museum, followed by a hands on workshop. This free family event requires pre-registration. Contact elsa.menendez@state.nm.us or 505-246-2261, ext. 150 to register.
