Día de los Muertos: Mexican Day of the Dead explained ahead of one of Arizona's most vibrant events
Phoenix, Arizona: Día de los Muertos is celebrated across Arizona with a variety of events that honor and remember loved ones who have passed away.
What does Día de los Muertos mean?
Día de los Muertos translated into 'Day of the Dead'. It is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2 that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away.
So it must be quite somber?
Far from it. Día de los Muertos is a vibrant and festive celebration filled with joy, art, music, and community gatherings. It combines pre-Hispanic Indigenous beliefs with Spanish Catholic influences, making it unique to Mexican and Latin American cultures.
Oh wow, so how old is the event itself?
The roots of Día de los Muertos trace back to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Aztec, Toltec, and other Nahua people, who believed that death was a natural phase in life’s long continuum. Rather than mourn, they honored the deceased as integral parts of their world, a tradition Spanish colonizers adapted to coincide with the Catholic feasts of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
So why is it celebrated over two days?
Día de los Muertos is celebrated over two main days, with November 1 (Día de los Angelitos) dedicated to children and infants who have passed away. Wile the second day, November 2 (Día de los Difuntos) honors deceased adults.
What is the significance of skulls during Día de los Muertos?
Skulls, or Calaveras, are not real skulls, but decorated creations. THese decorated 'skulls', particularly sugar skulls, are adorned with the names of deceased loved ones, and are an iconic part of Día de los Muertos. They represent the beauty and inevitability of death. You’ll also see La Catrina, an elegant skeleton figure created by artist José Guadalupe Posada, symbolizing both death and the celebration of life.
Wait a minute, isn't Día de los Muertos depicted in a famous children's film?
Yes it was, in fact the holiday got a global recognition boost after Pixar's 2017 film 'Coco' beautifully depicted the holiday's meaning and rituals.
So what are the events I can attend in Arizona during Día de los Muertos?
Phoenix
MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos Festival
Date: Sunday, October 27, 2024
Location: Steele Indian School Park
Details: Presented by Cultural Coalition, this free, family-friendly event features cultural performances, art vendors, food trucks, and a large community altar. Enjoy mariachi music, ballet folklórico, arts and crafts, and a sunset procession led by 'Las Flacas', the 8-foot-tall animated skeleton puppets Cultural Coalition
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Día de Muertos at Desert Botanical Garden
Dates: November 1–3, 2024
Location: Desert Botanical Garden
Details: Celebrate with a community altar, vibrant procession, food, music, and more. The altar, centered on the legend of the Cempasúchil flower and the story of Xóchitl and Huitzilin, will be on display in the Ottosen Gallery. Visitors are invited to place memories and wishes for loved ones on the ofrenda DBG.
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11th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival at St. Mary's Basilica
Date: Sunday, November 3, 2024, 11am – 5pm
Location: St. Mary's Basilica, Downtown Phoenix
Details: A family-friendly event featuring a community ofrenda, live cultural entertainment including mariachi and ballet folklórico, an artisan market with over 30 vendors, food trucks, children's activities, and a car show. Attendees are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones to place on the altar Upcoming Events
Scottsdale
Scottsdale Día de los Muertos Art Installation and Procession
Dates: October 24–27, 2024
Location: Scottsdale Civic Center and Old Adobe Mission
Details: Experience large-scale 2D and 3D art installations, sculptures, and altars throughout the Scottsdale Civic Center. Participate in a traditional procession on Friday, October 25, from 6–10pm, starting at the Old Adobe Mission and concluding at the Scottsdale Civic Center, featuring face painting, ceremonial Aztec presentations, and performances by musicians from Alamos, Mexico Old Town Scottsdale.