Sunday, November 2nd is el Día de los Muertos, or, in English the Day of the Dead. This beloved Mexican holiday is a beautiful way to celebrate the lives of lost loved ones, honor Mexican culture, and enjoy some time in your community. So don’t miss out this weekend! Head on over to the Oakland Cemetery for a beautiful celebration of el Día de Muertos! Keep scrolling for all the details.
What is el Día de los Muertos?
If you’re not familiar, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of deceased loved ones. This two-day holiday is a special time when the souls of lost loved ones and family members are able to visit the living. Families frequently put out an ofrenda, which is a type of altar, with photos of their loved ones, Marigolds to guide the spirits home, water for their travels, favorite food and possessions of the passed loved ones and more.
If you’ve seen beautiful painted skulls with flowers and bright colors, you’ve probably seen some Day of the Dead festivities or decor!
Day of the Dead at the Oakland Cemetery
Every year, the Oakland Cemetery is the perfect venue for a Día de los Muertos celebration. This year, the Consulate General of Mexico and the Institute of Mexican Culture will host Día de Muertos at Oakland on November 2nd, from 12pm – 5pm!
Admission to the festival is free and open to all!
What can festival-goers expect?
Other than a wonderful time celebrating with the community, festival-goers will get to learn about and experience a transitional Day of the Dead festival, complete with :
- folkloric dances
- crafts
- artisan vendors
- food
- ofrendas/altars honoring lost family and friends
Dress up for the occasion and participate in the Catrinas and Catrines contest for adults and kids. (Registration will take place on the day of the festival.)
You can learn more about the festival, submit an altar, and learn all about the Day of the Dead on the Institute of Mexican Culture’s website, here!
Feliz Día de los Muertos, Atlanta!