2011 Dia de los Muertos festival at Mesa Arts Center. Photo courtesy of MAC.
Sugar skulls, altars, masks and community processions. They’re all part of celebrating Dia de los Muertos — which has inspired a lovely assortment of festivals taking place throughout the Valley this weekend and next…
The CALA Alliance kicks off its inaugural Dia de los Muertos festival today at 12:30pm at Margaret T. Hance Park in Phoenix. The event runs through 5:30pm and features live entertainment, a mercado and children’s activities. A closing candlelight procession begins at 5pm. Free.
Nearby Burton Barr Central Library is hosting a Dia de los Muertos mask-making activity for children in grades K-6, which culminates with children donning their masks for a procession to Margaret T. Hance Park. The 1-3pm event features simple folding and cutting techniques. Free.
Dia de los Muertos ofrendas created by Arizona artists are being exhibited in the library’s @Central Gallery through Nov. 3, and you can enjoy a community altar at the Mesa Arts Center Dia de los Muertos festival continuing from noon-5pm today. The MAC festival features live entertainment, a mercado and children’s activities. Free.
Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center in downtown Phoenix presents its inaugural Dia de los Muertos festival Nov. 2 from 3-10pm. The event features art exhibits, live entertainment, ofrendas, a mercado and children’s activities. Free.
Xico Gallery in Chandler presents its Dia de los Muertos festival Nov. 3 from 11am-6pm at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park. The festival features artist demonstrations, live entertainment, a mercado, children’s activities, a community altar and procession. Free.
Desert Botanical Garden exhibits Dia de los Muertos ofrendas through Nov. 4, and holds its festival featuring live entertainment, storytellers and a mercado Nov. 3 and 4 from 10am-5pm. Free with garden admission.
Click here to learn more about El Dia de los Muertos origins, meanings and traditions from the Smithsonian Institution, and here to explore their interactive Theater of the Dead.
— Lynn
Note: If you take photos while attending Day of the Dead celebrations, I’d love to see them. Send your best shots to stagemommusings@gmail.com and I’ll update this post with a selection of reader snapshots.
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