Día de los Muertos, or, The Day of the Dead, in English, is a Mexican holiday celebrating the one day every year that the barrier between the spirit world and the physical world dissolves, and lost loved ones can visit the living.
On this day, families remember loved ones who have passed away with altars full of marigolds, the deceased’s favorite foods, drinks and photographs! They also use beautifully decorated Calaveras, or decorated skulls, usually made of sugar to adorn their altars and spaces!
Día de los Muertos is by no means a sad holiday, however. It’s a day of celebration of life and the lives lived by passed loved ones.
There are lots of festivals happening in Atlanta to celebrate the Day of the Dead, so you can get in on the celebration!
1. Atlanta Symphony Hall, Midtown
Address: Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA
Time: Sunday, October 29th 1:30pm – 5:30 pm
This free, family-friendly celebration will honor the day of the dead with live mariachi performances, balle Folklórico, stilt walkers, face-painting stations, altar exhibitions, traditional Mexican games, and so much more!
There will be food trucks and drinks also available!
As always, the Atlanta Symphony Hall will have a performance of dancing skeletons and music to celebrate life. Admission to the performances requires a ticket, even though the festival itself is free for all!
For more information, visit their website!
2. Oakland Cemetery, Grant Park
Address: 248 Oakland Avenue Southeast Atlanta, GA 30312
Time: Sunday, November 5th, 12pm – 5pm
In partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, Oakland Cemetery, and the Oficina de Enlace GTO-Georgia, the Oakland Cemetery is hosting a Day of the Dead festival that is open and free to the public!
The festival will include traditional entertainment, like street performers, Aztec dancers, a mariachi band and more! There will be Mexican food vendors, and displays of the ofrendas, or the traditional Mexican altars for all to view!
At the end of the festival, there will also be a Day of the Dead costume contest with a cash prize for best costume!
For more information, check out their website!
3. Roswell City Hall, Roswell
Address: 38 Hill St, Roswell, GA
Time: Saturday, October 28th, 11am – 3pm
This second annual Day of the Dead Festival in Roswell will be held at city hall! Attendees can expect a traditional Day of the Dead celebration with Mexican food, crafts, entertainment and dancing!
There will also be plenty of opportunities to make or visit the altar of a passed love one, and honor them!
Roswell’s Day of the Dead festival is in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico.
For more information, check out their website!
4. Haints and Saints & Day of the Dead Parade, Decatur
Address: Decatur Cemetery, 229 Bell St, Decatur, GA
Time: Sunday, October 29th, 6pm – 8pm
5. Lawrenceville Arts Center, The Aurora Theatre
Address: 125 N Clayton St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Time: Saturday, October 28th, at 11:30am
The Aurora Theatre is hosting their annual Festival del Día de Los Muertos!
Their celebration is a cultural tradition full of color, music, food, and dance.
Attendees can expect performances from Piccadilly Puppets, Alma Mexicana, Danza Azteca, We Love BuHi Orchestra, Mariachi Buhos de Oro and more! There will also be Mexican vendors and food and drink!
This event is fun for the whole family!