6 events celebrating Day of the Dead in Philadelphia

Philly loves the Mexican celebration of Día de Muertos.

And, really, what’s not to love? Festively bedecked skeletons, the proliferation of marigolds, colorful cutwork paper banners and both communal and personal altars celebrating ancestors and the beloved departed.

This year, the public events kick off on October 15 and continue through October 31. Then the celebration goes private for the traditional, family-centered celebrations Nov. 1 and 2.

Friday, October 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at LOVE Park

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, the Consulate of Mexico in Philadelphia and the Mexican Cultural Center have joined forces to kick off celebrations with art, music and food.

“Entrance to the Underworld,” a Day of the Dead altar artwork — created by Mexican muralist and Philly resident, Cesar Viveros — will be unveiled at LOVE Park on October 15.

Entrance to the Underworld art installation by Cesar Viveros, viewed from the front (r) and back (l).

In addition, Los Guachinangos will perform son jarocho, and the Indigenous Mexican group, Kalpulli Kamaxtle Xiuhcóatl, will perform Mexica Aztec traditional dances. Food will be available from El Burrito Feliz food truck.

Members of Kalpulli Kamaxtle Xiuhcóatl, a traditional Indigenous Mexican dance group, performing at a community celebration in Kensington in September 2020. (Photo by Emily Rizzo)

Monday, October 18 and Monday, October 25, 5-7:30 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial

(Fleisher Art Memorial website: https://fleisher.org/)

Community advocate Reyna Navarro will lead a Day of the Dead altar making workshop. Materials will be provided. The family-friendly event takes place at Fleisher Art, 719 Catharine St., on the 4th floor, and registration is required.

Saturday, October 23, CultureFest! Día de los Muertos, 11-4 p.m., Penn Museum

(https://www.penn.museum/calendar/964/culturefest)

There is a full schedule for Penn Museum’s first in-person CultureFest! in more than a year:

• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Arts & Crafts, Asia Gallery
• 11:20 – 11:45 a.m. Dance Performance: Kalpulli Kamaxtle Xiuhcóatl
• 12:15  – 12:45 p.m. Dance Performance: Ballet Folklorico Yaretzi
• 1:00 – 1:45 p.m. Storytelling time by Deyssi Cusba
• 1:30  – 2:30 p.m. Music Presentation: Los Guachinangos
• 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Global Guide Tour: Mexico and Central America
• 3:30 p.m. Altar Contest Winners Announced, Asia Gallery
• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Pan de Muerto and Mexican Hot Chocolate

Saturday, October 30, 3 – 9 p.m., Fleisher Art Memorial

(Fleisher Art Memorial website: https://fleisher.org/)

Fleisher Art Memorial’s central celebration, organized in coordination with La Calaca Flaca community committee, starts with a children’s fair from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The fair is followed by a procession through the streets of South Philadelphia at 4:30 p.m.

(Fleisher Art Memorial website: https://fleisher.org/)

A dedication, music, food, dance, fashion show and a craft fair will take place in Fleisher’s parking lot from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, October 31, 5-7 p.m., bike ride to LOVE Park

(Photo by cottonbro from Pexels)

Another event sponsored by Parks & Rec, the Mexican Consulate and the Mexican Cultural Center, this event is intended as “a 3.5-mile bike ride, in which participants will be encouraged to dress up as Catrinas or Calaveras and decorate their bikes with Day of the Dead free accessories.” Cyclists can bring their own bikes or use an Indego.

According to the release, “the goal is to reach LOVE Park, visit the altar installation, and discover the true meaning of altars and Day of the Dead traditions in Mexico through the eyes of writer José Carlos Pérez Sámano.”

Space is limited, so an RSVP to icompean@mexicanculturalcenter.org is required.