Día de Los Muertos Events in Westchester
Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated from October 31st-November 2nd that connects the living with the dead. In this Mexican tradition, families create brightly colored offerings, say prayers, and create alters to honor family members who have passed. In Westchester, you and your family can enjoy several Día de Los Muertos events, including the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, folk art, and weekend filled with a Day of the Dead celebration at the Hudson River Museum.
Thursday, October 31st from 12:00 pm-4:00pm
Spirits and Souls Day
The Bruce Museum will host Spirits and Souls Family Day: Celebrations from Around the World, with activities from 12 pm to 4 pm. Families are encouraged to wear costumes, following the museum’s inclusive guidelines. One highlight will be Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1 and 2 to honor deceased loved ones. The museum will offer insights into this tradition and display a traditional altar, while attendees can create paper plate “sugar skulls” for younger children and decorate foam “sugar skulls” for older participants. Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830-7157
Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd from 12:00am-4:00pm
Día de Muertos Weekend
The Hudson River Museum is hosting an art workshop for Día de Muertos, where families can create Cempasúchils, or Mexican Marigolds. The workshop is suitable for ages 6 and up, and attendees can choose to place their creations on a community altar or take them home. The altar, or ofrenda, will be available for viewing from November 1 to November 3 during regular museum hours. In addition to the marigolds, visitors are encouraged to bring copies of photos of their departed loved ones to display on the altar. For those unable to attend in person, photos can be emailed to Pedro Betanzos at pbetanzos@hrm.org. Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701.
Saturday, November 2nd all day
Family Art Project: Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
Take a road trip to Wave Hill for an afternoon of Day of the Dead Activities Families will have the opportunity to create nicho boxes. These small shadow boxes honor a lost loved that families can decorate with objects and natural materials. Free with admissions to the grounds. Wave Hill, 4900 Independence Avenue, Bronx, NY.
Saturday, November 2nd from 11:00am-2:00pm
Dia de Muertos/ Day of the Dead Celebration
Families are invited to attend the Day of the Dead Celebration at the New Rochelle Public Library. This free event includes a performance from the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company featuring songs, dances and stories. Additionally, the program will feature live music with dance and education elements with dancers and musicians. Audience members will learn more about the imagery, culture, and rhythms. 1 Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY 10801
Saturday, November 2nd from 1:00 pm-3:00pm
Family Time November 2024: Día de Muertos
Head to the Bronx for a day of cultural celebration and ancestral connection. Families are invited to create art that reconnects us with our ancestors, with nature, and with cultural practices. The community is also invited to leave objects and photographs for the communal altar. This event is presented by Marco Saavedra with the support of Inés Hernández. The Bronx Museum, 1040 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10456
Saturday, November 15th various times
Sugar Skull! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure Schooltime Performance
This touring bilingual and bicultural musical company aimed at young audiences and families is serving a treat this holiday weekend. Watch the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores, who initially thinks her family is crazy for planning a celebration for their deceased loved ones. However, when a lively candy skeleton springs to life, Vita embarks on a magical musical journey to uncover the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Throughout her adventure, she meets Sugar Skull, a charismatic skeleton with secrets, and together they dance with ancient ancestors, sing with a sorrowful sorceress, outsmart the trickster Chaneques, and encounter the famous Catrina Calavera. Vita must gather the missing pieces for her family’s ofrenda before it’s too late. The Purchase PAC, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577
Psst.. check out Take a Polar Plunge at Playland this November
