Where to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Little Rock

In recent years, the Little Rock metro has seen an uptick in Dia de los Muertos celebrations, or Day of the Dead, a holiday with origins in Mexico that honors lost loved ones on the first two days of November.

The holiday’s name, abundance of skeletons and proximity to Oct. 31 have led many to mistake it as simply “Mexican Halloween,” but its purpose and overall atmosphere are anything but.

“Día de Muertos is not a day of mourning,” says CALS Latinx Community Liaison Maria de Monservat Aguilar. “It is a joyful celebration, a way to pay tribute to our deceased loved ones.”

Traditions include building altars (ofrendas) honoring loved ones with photos, their favorite foods, bright orange marigolds and intricately decorated skulls.

If you want to join the celebrations this year, here’s where to do so.

 

Dia de Muertos at Ron Robinson Alley

Nov. 2, 5-8 p.m.

Hosted by the Consulate of Mexico, the Downtown Little Rock Partnership and the Central Arkansas Library System, this outdoor event welcomes all for an evening of traditional food, crafts, dancing and altar displays. More info here.

 

Dia de los Muertos at Plaza Frida

Nov. 4, 5-9 p.m.

This popular festival hosted by Plaza Frida is back again for its third year. Along with a community ofrenda, the plaza will feature a day of music, food trucks, dancing, a catrinas contest for kids 14 and under, art vendors and family activities. More info here.

 

Bonus: View award-winning children’s author and illustrator Yuyi Morales’ work at Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center. The exhibition “Yuyi Morales: Soñadora” will be on display through Nov. 15. More on that here.

 

Have an activity to add to our list? Email info@littlerocksoiree.com with the details.

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