by Emerald Staff

We’ve rounded up some very special South End Día de los Muertos events. Find out where to celebrate with fellow community members, take the family for arts, crafts, rich cultural education, and to honor loved ones who have passed on in the Mexican and Latinx tradition of Día de los Muertos.

To learn more about this beautiful holiday, its origins, and why and how its celebrated, check out this 2015 article from our pals at the Seattle Globalist.

For Halloween-related events, check out our sister seasonal events round-up here, and you can find our usual weekend events round-up here.

♦♦♦

Friday, Oct. 26th:

Día De Los Muertos: Free Community Night Out at SAM

“Celebrate Día de los Muertos at SAM’s free community evening. Check out this year’s unique tapete (sand painting) installation inspired by Oaxaca’s beautiful traditions, take in a dance performance, get involved with art activities, listen to music, and more!”
Time: 7–9 PM
Where: Seattle Art Museum—1300 First Ave.
Cost: FREE (RSVP requested)

Tags: Art, Art Activities, Dance Performance, Culture, Family-Friendly

—

Saturday, Oct. 27th:

Pop Up Mercado: Dia de Los Muertos

“Colectiva Noroeste and Rebels and Scholars present: Dia de los Muertos Pop Up Mercado! 30+ vendors selling Apparel, Handmade Gifts, Food, Jewelry. Family fun while building community, networking and supporting local artists/artisans.”
Time: 10 AM–6 PM
Where: Centilia Cultural Center—1660 S. Roberto Maestas Fest St.
Cost: Free to attend

Tags: Family-Friendly, Art, Artisan Vendors, Community

—

Thursday, Nov. 1st:

Exalting Life, Embracing Death

“El dia de los muertos is one of the oldest and most meaningful celebrations in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Maiah Merino, a member of the writers group Los Norteños, organized this cross-cultural reading as a way to share the Latinx holiday with other cultural communities. Together, we will hold each other in grief and celebration through our theme of Exalting Life, Embracing Death.

“Featuring Kathleen Alcalá, Anna Balint, Jim Cantu, Catalina Cantu, Gabriella Gutierrez y Muhs, Maiah Merino, Raul Sanchez, Georgia McDade, Minnie Anderson, Bob Flor, Malea Dickerson, and other special guests.”
Time: 7–8 PM
Where: Third Place Books Seward Park—5041 Wilson Ave. S.
Cost: Free to attend

Tags: Literature, Short Stories, Reading, Storytelling, Community

—

Free First Thursday: Day of the Dead

“Celebrate Day of the Dead as we explore the ingredients that bring it all together! From masa and sugar to tamales and candy skulls, enjoy hands-on food demonstrations and tastings that showcase this celebration’s agricultural history. Come early for story time and stay late for live performances of traditional dance. Bring mementos of your loved ones to add to the community altar. This event is generously sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle.”
Time: 10 AM–8 PM
Where: MOHAI—860 Terry Ave. N.
Cost: FREE

Tags: Art, Culture, Museum, Family-Friendly, Food, Cooking, Dance Performance, Community

—

Friday, Nov. 2nd:

2018 Dia de los Muertos

“El Centro de la Raza would like to invite you to participate in our 2018 — 14th annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration! Our theme for 2018 is, ‘Viva la Lucha, la Resistancia y la Esperanza! — Long live the Struggle, the Resistance, and Hope!’ we will overcome and win! Free admission, dinner, and entertainment!

“Opening Day Presentations at El Centro de la Raza’s Centilia Cultural Center: Ce Atl Tonalli | Juan Gabriel imitator | Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin | Chief Sealth International High School Folklorico | Quinceanera Club Bomba Dancers | La Calaca Clown Show AND MORE!

“Featuring Ofrenda’s by: Arunga Music, Beacon Arts, Beacon Hill Air & Noise Health Impact Project, Beth Shalom Synagogue Immigration & Sanctuary support, Chief Seattle Club, Colectiva Noroeste, Comadres/Bebes, From Hiroshima to Hope, Gamma Alpha Omega…[and more!]”
Time: 5:30–8:30 PM
Where: El Centro de la Raza—2524 16th Ave. S.
Cost: Free to attend

Tags: Community, Family-Friendly, Dinner, Celebration, Dance Performance, Variety

—

Celebrate Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead!

“The fabulous Grupo Folklorico Guadalajara Wa will perform traditional Mexican dance! They will also be doing free face painting of sugar skull designs. Afterwards, relax, and enjoy chips and salsa while watching Disney’s Coco on the big screen!

“This is a free public event for all ages. The movie is rated PG. Chairs will be set up, and we will put mats down, but we will also leave space for blankets if you’d like to bring some from home! You are also welcome to bring your own snacks from home to enjoy during the film.

“We will be collecting toiletries for our free shower program, if you’d like to contribute, please bring some to the event! However, this is not required. We hope to see you there!”
Time: 5:30–8 PM
Where: Miller Community Center—330 19th Ave E.
Cost: FREE

Tags: Dance Performance, Culture, Face Painting, Film, Family-Friendly

—

Dia de los Muertos

“This FREE event is open to the entire community and celebrates the tradition of honoring and remembering our ancestors and families.

“Dance performances throughout the evening Seattle Danza Azteca, New City Dance, Grupo Folklorico Citlali, Grupo Folklorico Guadalajara; Music from Mariachi Fiesta; Mexicana Trio; Face painting; Art installations; Arts & crafts ; Loteria (Mexican Bingo); Food (for purchase) from Maria’s Tamales and El Rinconsito; Ofrendas (altars) from community groups and members throughout the lobby.”
Time: 6–9 PM
Where: Burien Parks, Rec & Cultural Services—14700 Sixth Ave. SW
Cost: Free to attend

Tags: Community, Family-Friendly, Celebration, Art, Food, Dance Performance, Variety

—

Saturday, Nov. 3rd:

Día de los Muertos en South Park

“Kalpulli Tlaloktehuhtli presenta día de muertos en South Park. Sábado 3 de Noviembre 2018 1-6 pm. Danza Azteca, talleres de arte y música en vivo. Gratis para la communidad. Copatrinocado con la asociación de padres de Concord Internacional.

“Kalpulli Tlaloktekhutli presents the Day of the Dead in South Park. Saturday, Nov 3, 2018 1-6 pm. Aztec dance, art and music. Free to the community! Co-hosted by Concord Intl PTA.”
Time: 1–6 PM
Where: Concord International School—723 S. Concord St.
Cost: Free to attend

Tags: Community, Family-Friendly, Celebration, Art, Dance, Music

—

Sunday, Nov. 4th:

Killing Marías a Staged Reading

WA State Book Award Finalist, Killing Marías, honors the lives of 43 working and indigenous women who were killed in Juarez, Mexico.

“The performance, which includes dancing form the Afrolatina dancer Milvia Pacheco, music from Trio Guadalevin and the presence and voices of Seattle writers Catalina Cantu and Donna Miscolta, creates a site of remembrance, resistance and a call to action against misogynist attitudes in our society.” Part of El Centro de la Raza’s Dia de los Muertos Festivities
Time: 2 PM
Where: Centilia Cultural Center—1660 S. Roberto Maestas Fest St.
Cost: FREE

Tags: Dance, Music, Spoken Word

—

(If you’re looking for Halloween events, see our round-up here.)

---