Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican and Mexican-American holiday that typically takes place at the very beginning of November. The goal of the holiday, which is typically quite festive, is to honor loved ones who have died. But it has also come to symbolize the difficulty of preserving traditions in Hispanic culture. Participants often build altars, or ofrendas, to pay their respect to the dead. Other traditions involve sugar skulls, painted faces, Catrinas and more.
In Denver — and Colorado as a whole — Dia de los Muertos has been part of the fabric of life for decades, and there are multiple community celebrations. Here are three of the biggest.
DÃa de los Muertos Parade and Festival
Saturday, Oct. 28. Santa Fe Drive gets festive starting at 11 a.m. as the Dia de los Muertos Parade rolls by with marching bands, floats, ballet folkloricos, fire trucks, Catrinas, characters from the movie “Coco,” lowriders and lots of colorful costumes.
After that, the party moves to Civic Center park at noon and runs to 8 p.m. There will be food vendors, live music, drinks, exhibitors, a La Catrina contest, fair games, an altar exhibition and music from around the world. Singers Banda Los Mazatlecos and Sonora Dinamita will perform.
Parade begins at Seventh Avenue and Santa Fe Drive, Denver. Civic Center park is at 101 W. 14th St., Denver. civiccenterpark.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos
Muertos en Westwood Street Festival
Friday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 5 — Each day of the Muertos en Westwood Street Festival, which runs along Morrison Road in Denver, celebrates a unique facet of Dia de los Muertos, according to organizers at Cultura Chocolate and Hecho in Westwood.
Friday is Mikailwitl, a celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. honoring pre-colonial traditions. There will be live music, a standout ofrenda (altar) with art from local artists, community altars, a Danza Mexika ceremony and a procession down Morrison Road. Saturday is Muertos en el Barrio, “celebrating the Chicano and Mexican-American community’s reclamation of Dia de Muertos,” organizers said. From noon to 7 p.m., there will be lowriders, live painting, photo booths, vendors, and live music.
Then on Sunday, the events conclude with the Festival de las Catrinas from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., “highlighting today’s iconic Muertos representation.” Enjoy lucha libre, flower crown-making stations, Catrina face painting, Mariachi music and more.
3700-3900 Morrison Road, Denver; hechoenwestwood.com
DÃa de los Muertos Art Crawl
Friday, Nov. 3. The artistic side of the vibrant holiday grabs center stage during the DÃa de los Muertos Art Crawl, which takes place in Lakewood from 6 to 9 p.m. and is hosted by the 40 West Arts District, the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC), and Pirate: Contemporary Art.
“Explore myriad captivating exhibitions, awe-inspiring altars, and immerse yourself in the rhythmic performances of Aztec dancers. Discover the remarkable works of traditional Indigenous and Latino/a/x artists, indulge in delectable treats from food trucks, unleash your creativity at craft stations, and let your imagination come to life with face painting,” organizers said. The event is free and family-friendly.
7130 W. 16th Ave., Lakewood; 40westarts.org
