During the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Oct 31-Nov 2), people honor loved ones who have died by bringing them to life with colorful ofrendas (altars) adorned with memorabilia and calaveras (sugar skulls), and taking part in many other traditions. This year in Seattle, there are lots of opportunities to learn more about the holiday through performances, food, music, and more. Find all the options below, or on our Día de los Muertos calendar.
Jump to: November
OCTOBER 19
PARTYDia dos Mortos Capoeira Party
Families can play games, carve pumpkins, see a Capoeira (Afro-Brazilian martial arts) demonstration, decorate sugar skulls, and more.
Fenix Capoeira, $5/$15
OCTOBER 20
ARTArts Gumbo 2018: Celebrating Mexican Arts & Culture
Honor Día de los Muertos with a screening of "Flor Silvestre," about the Mexican actress and equestrian. Then come back later for a Day of the Dead presentation, dance performances by Joyas Mestizas Youth Group and Bailadores de Bronce, the talk "La Charla de la Gente: Mañana" with Proxima Generacion Youth Expression and Jake Prendez, presented by Folklife, food by Tacos Chukis, activities, art by Prendez, and more.
Rainier Arts Center, $15
OCTOBER 26
GEEKDia de los Muertos Bingo!
Wear a costume inspired by Día de los Muertos for the chance to win a cash prize at this special edition of Rainbow Bingo. As always, there will be dinner and live performances.
South Park Senior Center, $15/$20
Día de los Muertos Community Night Out
The museum's ancestor-honoring party will include an installation of tapete (sand painting), art activities, music, and dance, all for the whole family.
Seattle Art Museum, free
Unframed: Día de los Muertos Celebration
Revere the dead at this 21+ party with an installation of ofrendas (altars), tapete sand painting by Fulgencio Lazo, performance art with Dos Fridas, a craft for you to memorialize your loved ones, and a cash bar.
Tacoma Art Museum, $10
OCTOBER 27
ARTSugar Skulls with Fara Arteaga
With the help of artist Fara Arteaga, make authentic calaveras—which are traditionally inscribed with the name of a departed loved one and placed on an altar—using sugar, colorful royal icing, and bright pasted flowers. Plus, learn, about the history of the Mexican folk art tradition through text and videos.
Pike Place Market Atrium Kitchen, $65
Pop Up Mercado: Dia de Los Muertos
For Día de los Muertos, over 30 local artists and artisans will sell colorful apparel, food, jewelry, and lots more at this pop-up market.
Centilia Cultural Center, free
DEFY Dia De Los Muertos
DEFY tag team champions the Amerikan Gunz, Mike Santiago, and Ethan HD will go up against Mexablood, Bandido, and Flamita in this round of wrestling honoring Día de los Muertos.
Washington Hall, $25-$100
OCTOBER 27-28
PARTYDía de los Muertos
In honor of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, create sugar skulls and paper skeletons, explore community altars, and march in a musical procession to remember the dead.
Seattle Center, free
NOVEMBER 1
PARTYDay of the Dead: Hosting the Underworld/ Día de los Muertos : Invitando al Inframundo
Take part in the many traditions of the Mexican holiday, and learn about the celebration's agricultural history. There will be story time, music and dance performances, sugar skull-making, and food demonstrations.
MOHAI, free
Day of the Dead Party Showcase
Get a taste of Día de los Muertos through a showcase of food, music, performances, visual art, and vendors.
Block 41, free
Día de los Muertos at Sea-Tac Airport
The Mexican Consulate, Latinos Unidos, the Port’s Latino employee resource group, and the Merchants at Sea-Tac will organize a Dia de los Muertos celebration at the airport complete with art installation, sugar skull painting, arts and crafts for kids, food and drinks, and live performances.
Sea-Tac Airport, free
Evenings at Renaissance present: Dia De Los Muertos
Sip a special cocktail (the "Calaveras y Huesos") and celebrate the memory of loved ones who have died.
Renaissance Seattle Hotel, free
Exalting Life, Embracing Death
In honor of Día de los Muertos and Latinx cultures, the theme of this reading will be "Exalting Life, Embracing Death." Hear work by Kathleen Alcalá, Anna Balint, Jim Cantu, Catalina Cantu, Gabriella Gutierrez y Muhs, Maiah Merino, Raul Sanchez, and other special guests.
Third Place Books Seward Park, free
NOVEMBER 2
ARTDia de Muertos Celebration & Art Show
Immerse yourself in artwork honoring the Mexican holiday, including calavera prints by influential Mexican political printmaker and engraver José Guadalupe Posada, as well as contemporary work by Mexican artist Artemio Rodriguez. Bring photos and other memorabilia of loved ones to add to an altar, and enjoy free drinks and appetizers.
Lake Forest Park Civic Club, $30
Celebrate Dia de Muertos- Day of the Dead!
Seattle-based Mexican folk dance group Grupo Folklorico Guadalajara Wa will perform a traditional Mexican dance and paint peoples' faces like sugar skulls. After their set, guests can settle down for a screening of Coco.
Miller Community Center, free
Dia De Los Muertos
Remember departed loved ones by decorating altars at this Día de los Muertos party.
Burien Community Center, free
Dia de los Muertos at El Centro de la Raza
This annual party will return with the theme "Long Live the Struggle, the Resistance, and Hope." Take in ofrendas (altars honoring loved ones who have died), folk dances, and much more.
El Centro de la Raza, free
Dia de los Muertos at the Growler Guys
This Dia de los Muertos celebration promises Mexican food trucks, a mariachi band, arts and crafts, and a community altar where you can place pictures of departed loves ones.
The Growler Guys, free
Dia de Los Muertos Festival TOCS
Enjoy live music and dancing, traditional foods, arts and crafts, community altars, and more.
The Outlet Collection, free
Entre Hermanos Dia De Los Muertos Gala
Local Latinx LGBTQ+ organization Entre Hermanos' biggest fundraising event of the year brings live music and cultural festivities in honor of Día de los Muertos.
Arctic Club Hotel, $150
Muertos 2018 Fiesta
Head to the heated rooftop for patrón specials and festive music from DJ Cesar Sanchez Djyambu.
Mezcaleria Oaxaca, free
NOVEMBER 3
ARTDay of the Dead Paint + Sip
Make a Dia de los Muertos-inspired painting while you sip wine. All materials (including stencils) provided.
Uncorked Canvas Seattle, $40
Electropika - Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Get down to cumbia, tropical bass, baile funk, and dembow beats from Seattle's Jorge Bex and Biaco Chaves and KEXP's DJ Chilly at this Día de los Muertos dance party.
Triple Door, free
Día de los Muertos Festival
Commemorate loved ones who have died by bringing small momentos to add to a community altar (which you can retrieve from the center on November 10) to this family-friendly festival. There will also be a performance from the CeAtl Tonalli Aztec dancers, student performances, a silent auction, Mexican folk dancing, raffles, food, and more.
Phinney Neighborhood Association, free
NOVEMBER 4
ARTDia de los Muertos Free Community Celebration
Check out over 30 traditional altars honoring loved ones, see performances from Aztec dancers, make art with sand paper, taste traditional food, and shop from art vendors.
Tacoma Art Museum, free
Dia De Los Muertos Brunch
Sip bottomless mimosas and feast on traditional Mexican fare while a live DJ spins festive tunes.
The Factory Luxe, $30/$35
