You are here

2017 Day of the Dead Events

Printer-friendly version

For locations, go to the Map of the Dead, which pinpoints where all events are taking place. If your organization is planning an event, submit it to the Arts Calendar to be included. 

From http://www.firehouseart.org/special-events: Día de los Muertos, a widely observed holiday in Mexico and other Latin countries. It is a time when the living remember and honor departed relatives. But rather than doing so in a gloomy manner, as the name may suggest, The Day of the Dead is a time of festive celebration.

“Sometimes, when people of other cultures hear for the first time about the celebration of the Day of the Dead, they mistakenly think it must be: gruesome, terrifying, scary, ugly and sad,” according to inside-mexico.com. “Nothing could be further from the truth. The Day of the Dead is a beautiful ritual in which Mexicans happily and lovingly remember their loved relatives that have died."

A. Longmont Museum and Cultural Center:
Dia de los Muertos Exhibition
Through November 7, free admission

The Dia de los Muertos exhibition is in the Museum’s Swan Atrium – a two-story space full of light – and showcases traditional gigantes, giant puppets made by local artists. Altars for the dead, created by members of the community, are also a central part of the exhibit. 

B. Firehouse Art Center

5th Annual Catrina Ball
Friday, November 3
The fifth annual Catrina Ball at the Dickens Opera House will be a party to die forFirehouse Art Center … or at least an event to celebrate the lives of those who have already made the journey into the Great Beyond.

The name, Catrina Ball, refers to the Calavera Catrina – a sort of female, skeletal version of the Grim Reaper. Her image was created by Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada around 1910 and remains a central figure in Mexico’s cultural identity.

Attendees are encouraged come dressed as Catrinas – with fancy clothes and Processionfaces painted like skulls. The location will be decorated with candles, marigolds and papel-picado, and will feature an exhibition including a community “ofrenda” (altar), a community sugar skull wall, and a Catrina wall with drawings by local artists. Price of admission includes deadly drinks, festive food, live music and a crazy awesome art auction. Get your face painted at the Firehouse and get ready dance, dance, dance!

C. Arts Longmont Gallery: Memory Jars - An Installation

Through November 6Arts Longmont

Artist Laurie Beth Zuckerman creates altar installations and memory jugs using an eclectic blend of Catholic, Hispanic, African, and Haitian religious sensibilities. Laurie collects antique religious art and found-objects to construct her memorials, honoring the lives of her Russian-Jewish ancestors. Her enigmatic memory vessels are small-scale assemblages of natural materials and vintage memorabilia. Laurie designs her work for curated exhibitions in museums, universities, and galleries, from her home studio in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

Laurie's memory jar installation will be on display in Arts Longmont's north window as part of Longmont's Dead of the Day celebrations.

D. The Collective Community Art Center: Day of the Dead ExhibitionThe Collective
Through November 1

Join us at The Collective Comunity Arts Center for the Dia de los Muertos Exhibit (Day of the Dead) from October 3rd through November 2nd, 2017. The exhibition will feature the artwork of Karen Yust and Judy Sanchez, as well as student work form Centaurus High School.  There will be several ofrendas, community alters where the public is invited to leave a momento in remberance of a loved one.  Patrons are asked to leave copies of photos or small remmberances that do not need to be returned.  

The Collective will also hold a wide range of workshops, geared toward students 2nd grade and older.  For a complete listing, visit www.cityoflafayette.com/collective.  Pre-registration for all events is required, in person or by calling 303-661-1261.

E. Dairy Arts Center
Calling Home the Dead: Llamar a los Muertos a la CasaBoe Film
Film at The Boedecker Theater, Spanish with English sub titles 
4 pm, $2 Tickets
This film is a poetic and gentle short documentary (47 min) of a small Mexican village preparing the rituals around the Day of the Dead celebration. We will be showing the Spanish version, with English subtitles. "On the Day of the Dead, when the spirits come back to us, the road from heaven must be made easy, they say, not slippery with tears." A big thank you to filmmakers Jim Hill and Meesh Rheault Miller for making this possible.

Dia de los Muertos
Thursday, November 2 at 5 pm 

Altars! Skulls! Art exhibits! Tons of great music! This concert is a collaboration with the Dairy's Visual Arts department resulting in a festive evening of original artwork, altars, and great music. 
This event includes access to the art exhibits all evening, a musical celebration featuring Latin American music, and participation in voting for the “People’s Choice” favorite altar. Bring your families, friends and neighbors to experience this holiday event for all ages!
5:00 Festivites begin in the MacMillian Family Lobby
6:30 Concert begins in the Gordon Gamm Theater
Admission is $5

F. Marisol Imports: For this year's Santos & Muertos Show - Marisol has select gifts available at the Warehouse. Also:Marisol

Friday, November 3rd 4-9pmCome visit the Marisol Imports Warehouse for Day of the Dead folk art & festival appreciation. Part of the First Friday Artwalk in the NoBo Art District, featuring figurines, katrinas, retablos, skulls, Zapotec Rugs, SouthWestern Decor, plus a few local characters!

Marisol Imports is an independent business specializes in primitive & designer rugs, furniture, artwork & home decor. For 30 years the founders of Marisol Imports have been working with the indigenous Zapotec weavers of Teotitlan in Oaxaca, Mexico, distributing their beautiful textiles to homes & businesses throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Today, Marisol Imports also features a wide variety of furniture, metal yard art, folk art, pottery, mirrors, lamps, gifts and home decor. A founder of Boulder's NOBO Nite Out in 2009, today Marisol is proud to be part of The NoBo Art District participating in First Fridays & other special events.

G. Loveland Museum
Amor Eterno - Live Artist Performance
November 2 from 5:30 -7pm - FREE
Watch Colorado artist Armando Silva paint his interpretation of Dia de la Muertos based on his personal experiences. 

Loveland Museum

Amor Eterno:  A Contemporary Tribute To Day Of The Dead
Exhibition runs through December 24, 2017 - FREE
Armando Silva uses his artistic platform to pursue his passion and purpose – believing in a responsibility within his community to lead, educate and give back. He paints his portraits to tell stories while in his studio or on stage in front of thousands.

H. Denver Botanic Gardens: Saturday, November 4 from noon - 8 pm

Bring your family and friends to celebrate this fun and colorful tradition. Día de los Muertos costumes are encouraged. Please email dia@botanicgardens.org with any questions about the festival.