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¡Bienvenidos! to the City of Santa Fe’s newest tradition, Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead, a unique City of Santa Fe celebration! Said to have originated in Mexico, Día de Muertos represents a time to honor and reconnect with loved ones in the spirit world in a uniquely beautiful and meaningful manner. Join us on the historic Santa Fe Plaza on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28, 2023, and continue the experience on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the renowned Museum of International Folk Art.
History
The Día de Muertos tradition places emphasis on maintaining ties with ancestors, who are thought to continue to exist on a different plane. The belief behind Day of the Dead practices is that spirits return to the world of the living for one day each year to reunite with their families. To honor these travelers, the living invite the deceased back to their earthly homes to celebrate during the joyous and festive Día de Muertos.
A focal point of the celebration is the ofrenda, an altar created to honor the deceased loved one. The family prepares the ofrenda with special offerings such as the loved one’s favorite foods, drinks, and personal items, as well as pictures and mementos to welcome the spirit home for the celebration.
Schedule
Friday, October 27, 2023, 4 – 10 pm on the Santa Fe Plaza
Santa Fe’s second annual Día de Muertos opens at 4 pm with festive mariachi music and traditional entertainment on the Santa Fe Bandstand, festooned with papeles picados, the colorful cut paper decorations seen at celebrations throughout Mexico. Signature Mexican foods that have enriched New Mexico’s own cuisine will be available as well as decorative items that customarily adorn ofrendas that honor those who have passed on. Expect to see brightly colored masks, decorative skulls, and hundreds of marigolds!
Saturday, October 28, 2023, 10 am – 10 pm on the Santa Fe Plaza
Be part of the Día de Muertos tradition by visiting the community ofrendas decorated by local volunteers. Get inspired by items available in an ofrenda decorating kit or sponsor and adorn your own ofrenda with memories, pictures, and other remembrances. Throughout the day, enjoy signature Mexican cuisine at a variety of food trucks and prepare for the evening at the free glow-in-the-dark face-painting booths, open from 2-8 pm.
Free arts and crafts activities for kids are provided by the Santa Fe Public Library and the Mexican Consulate for Albuquerque, which also provides a series of videos on Día de Muertos traditions. Bring a chair or a blanket to enjoy the free 6 pm screening of the Dinsey classic “Coco” shown on two jumbotron screens thanks to the Lensic Center for the Performing Arts.
Once the sun sets, the historic Santa Fe Plaza will receive an Aztec blessing before lighting up with a Glow-in-the-Dark Candlelight Parade led by traditional mojigangas, 8-foot Mexican puppets. With the Plaza aglow, live music from global musicians will fill the Plaza, reminding us to rejoice and dance with the memories of our loved ones.
Sunday, October 29, 2023, 1 – 4 pm at the Museum of International Folk Art
Enjoy an afternoon of free activities at the Museum! Decorate sugar skulls/calaveras de azucar, sample traditional Pan de Muerto and view the Museum’s ofrenda installation by local artist Stephanie Riggs.
At 1 pm, enjoy a Gallery talk with Leigh Thelmadatter, author of Mexican Cartonería: Paper, Paste and Fiesta in the Cartonería exhibit.
At 2 pm and 3 pm, watch Los Niños de Santa Fe dance performances
From 2 to 4 pm, visit the book signing with Leigh Thelmadatter, author of Mexican Cartonería/Paper Paste and Fiesta.
