{"id":42277,"date":"2025-10-15T09:00:01","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T15:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=42277"},"modified":"2025-10-21T14:43:59","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:43:59","slug":"how-to-celebrate-day-of-the-dead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/how-to-celebrate-day-of-the-dead\/","title":{"rendered":"How to celebrate Day of the Dead. Hint: It’s all about the joy of living."},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"During
During Day of the Dead celebrations, some people dress in skeleton costumes. Legend has it that ancestors come back to celebrate with the living during the early November holiday. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite its name, Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos isn\u2019t about loss or sadness.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a celebration of life,\u201d said Victoria Gonzalez, marketing and digital manager for Denver\u2019s Latino and Cultural Arts Center.<\/a><\/p>\n

Every fall, leaders at the Latino and Cultural Arts Center meld ancient and contemporary traditions to celebrate Day of the Dead.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez also is making a documentary about the history of Day of the Dead celebrations in Colorado.<\/p>\n

The art center\u2019s seasonal celebration is called Ofrendas. Ofrendas are offerings placed on lovingly-designed altars, which include photos of loved ones, candles, flags and ancestors\u2019 favorite foods.<\/p>\n

\"Indigenous
Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos has roots in Aztec and Mayan cultures. Parades will often include indigenous dancers. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to celebrate Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos celebrations have roots both in indigenous Aztec and Mayan cultures and Catholicism. Unique traditions have emerged in Mexico, Guatemala and among Mexican-Americans in U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Denver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe relationships that Mexicans, Chicanos or Latinos have with the dead are very different,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cWe don\u2019t see death as an endpoint. It\u2019s a journey. We invite our ancestors back into our homes to enjoy offerings that we set out on altars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
A young woman wears an elaborate costume with a skeleton face to celebrate Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos in Denver. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Some people conflate Day of the Dead with Halloween or think it\u2019s a scary holiday. Those perceptions are incomplete at best.<\/p>\n

Day of the Dead is a lively, joyous occasion, marked by intricate altars in homes, dancing, parades in cities and celebrations at some graveyards. In Mexico, for instance, people celebrate Day of the Dead by decorating their loved ones\u2019 graves with bright orange marigolds, which are believed to light the way for ancestors to return. <\/span><\/p>\n

In Colorado, you can visit traditional bakeries, like Rosales Mexican Bakery in Denver, where you can taste pan de muerto, or bread of the dead, a sweet and savory concoction. Or, you can buy colorful, decorated sugar skulls.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re honoring and remembering our ancestors,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cPeople have feasts and enjoy meals together and tell stories and remember their loved ones. That\u2019s how we celebrate our dearly departed and keep their memory close.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Our loved ones remain very much alive through our memories of them and the way we\u00a0celebrate their lives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, people can treasure those memories any time of the year. Gonzalez keeps an altar set up in her home all year long to remind herself to honor those who came before her.<\/p>\n

\"Young
Flowers and bright colors are common symbols of joy and life in Day of the Dead costumes. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gonzalez is a fifth-generation Mexican American who grew up in Houston, but Day of the Dead celebrations have been lost in some Hispanic communities and families, while others never adopted the traditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t until we moved to Denver that I was exposed to Day of the Dead,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cI\u2019ve learned to reconnect with that part of my heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The holiday really could be called Days of the Dead or D\u00edas de Los Muertos because it\u2019s actually celebrated over two days: Nov. 1 and 2, and traditionally spans over months.<\/p>\n

\u201cNov. 1 is dedicated to the children who have been lost,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cThen the second day is a\u00a0 celebration for adults and everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some people without Hispanic roots are newly enthusiastic about celebrating Day of the Dead since the Disney animated film, \u201cCoco,\u201d popularized the holiday.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez said the film isn\u2019t entirely accurate. But, all people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds are welcome at Day of the Dead celebrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best way to learn about Day of the Dead is to go into the community and experience it first-hand. All people are welcome,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cJust be in the community and be open to learning about something outside of your comfort zone. Embrace it with love and find new ways to come together and build a healthier city and nation.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to celebrate Day of the Dead or D\u00eda de los Muertos in Colorado:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Young
Young girls participate in a Day of the Dead parade in Denver. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Viva’s Festival and D\u00eda de los Muertos Parade, Santa Fe Drive and Denver’s Civic Center Park, Denver<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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When<\/strong>: Saturday, October 25, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.<\/div>\n
Parade:<\/strong> 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The parade will start at West 7th Avenue and Santa Fe Drive and make its way toward West 13th Avenue and Santa Fe. It will then end at La Alma Lincoln Park at West 13th Avenue and North Mariposa Street. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, dancers, fire trucks and many people dressed in colorful costumes.<\/div>\n
Festival:<\/strong> noon to 8 p.m. at Denver’s Civic Center Park, 101 W. 14th Ave., Denver. The festival will feature food vendors, live music, drinks, exhibitors and much more.<\/div>\n
Cost:<\/strong> free<\/div>\n
Learn more about the parade and festival.<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Celebrate Day of the Dead on First Friday, Nov. 7, in Denver with the <\/strong>Museo de Las Americas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Museo<\/a> will host an array of activities, performances and vendors. This event<\/a> is free and open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. Where? Denver\u2019s Art District on Santa Fe<\/a>. The museum is located at 861 Santa Fe Drive in Denver, and businesses, residents, and art galleries in the district join in the Day of the Dead festivities.<\/p>\n

D\u00eda de los Muertos at Denver Art Society<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Visit the Denver Art Society<\/a> from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7 for Dia de Los Muertos, located at 734 Santa Fe Drive, <\/span>Denver.<\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy all of the events sponsored by Denver\u2019s <\/strong>Latino and Cultural Arts Center<\/strong> and its partners: <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Denver’s Latino and Cultural Arts Center<\/a> is hosting several events to celebrate the Day of the Dead. Learn about the events and sign up.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"A
A woman with a colorful veil and parasol celebrates Day of the Dead. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pueblo’s D\u00eda de los Muertos Celebra<\/strong>tion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The D\u00eda de los Muertos Costume Parade<\/a>, hosted by the Latino Chamber of Commerce in Pueblo, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 1. Registration for the parade is $15,<\/span> and the deadline is 5 p.m. Oct. 27. Enjoy the festivities and the Pueblo Riverwalk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fort Collins’<\/strong> D\u00eda de los Muertos Community Celebra<\/strong>tion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

On Saturday, Nov. 1, Old Town Square will be filled with vibrant colors, lively music, youth crafts, face painting, traditional dances and more throughout the day. The event starts<\/a> at 10 a.m., and the\u00a0<\/span>closing event starts at 5:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Longmont hosts <\/strong>Day of the Dead and D\u00eda de los Muertos\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Check out all of Longmont’s D\u00eda de los Muertos events<\/a>, including exhibitions, family celebrations and a Noche de Museo.<\/p>\n

Longmont’s Day of the Dead family celebration takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 4th Avenue and Main Street. This free street festival includes music and dance performances, art and craft activities, cultural education and food. There are also downtown business altars and the Gigantes Procession. Park downtown or at the Longmont Museum and take a free shuttle between locations.<\/p>\n

Other events include free admission to the D\u00eda de Muertos exhibition at the Longmont Museum from Oct. 12 to Nov. 5. On Nov. 2, there is an evening of live performances in celebration of D\u00eda de Muertos featuring iZCALLi, Aztec dancers Grupo Azteca Tlahuitzcalli, and more, also at the museum. Tickets are needed.<\/p>\n

\"Dancing
Dancers perform during a Day of the Dead celebration in Denver. Photo by Cyrus McCrimmon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Botanic Gardens D\u00eda de los Muertos Celebra<\/strong>tion<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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View online resources to create D\u00eda de los Muertos crafts.<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Quick and easy videos on how to make papel picado, paper marigolds, mini altars and more.<\/p>\n