Celebrating Dia De Muertos in Waukegan and Chicago Area

Nov 2, 2021

November 1st and 2nd are part of the Dia De Muertos Celebrations, also known as “All Soul’s Day,” to commemorate and celebrate the lives of family members and friends who have passed away. This two day festival is most notably celebrated in Mexico, but it’s also celebrated across Central and South American countries, as well as places such as Los Angeles, California with large Latinx communities. And we’re very happy to celebrate with great local area restaurants and beautiful places to visit and events to celebrate Latin America.

The holiday ceremony has origins in Aztec tradition and ritual honoring the dead, but similar remembrance rituals are observed on All Saint’s Day/All Souls day by Christian/Catholic individuals, too! No matter where you live, the sentiments are the same: it is a time to celebrate the harmony of life and death and the beauty and love within both. Every living thing will eventually die, and every human being will become the same, just a skeleton or skull without the trials and trappings of life such as clothes or money or status.

Celebrations include an “Altar de muertos” also known as an ofrenda, which is an altar displaying personal effects, photographs, and memories representing and celebrating the life of the person who has died. Many people include friends, family members, and even famous figures that meant a lot to them. Additionally, the festival is marked by parades, musical performances, and colourful decorations such as intricate paper cuttings strung up in banners, calaveras and calacas, and vibrant flowers. Music and noisemakers are an integral part of the joyful celebration meant to wake the dead and invite them to join us and to keep close by to their loved ones!

Celebrate Dia De Muertos in the Community

On November 2nd from 12PM to 2PM, join in on a Day of Death Healing Circle hosted by The Wild Ones at The City of Chicago City Hall in Chicago for a day of self care, healing, and remembrance. Tickets are free, register online.
On November 3rd at 3PM, join NEIU as they welcome Mexican poet and artist Rocio Ceron with a special reading and speaking engagement with an interview and conversation to follow. Part of the Lit & Luz Festival running from November 1st through 6th 2021. The bilingual performance is free to attend from 3PM to 4PM at Northeastern Illinois University.
On November 3rd, head over to Osito’s Tap in Chicago from 6PM to 8:30PM for a special Dia De Los Muertos event, “Find Your Ancestral Spirit Dinner.” Tickets are on sale for $40 and includes welcome cocktails, dinner, dessert, and a night of remembrance. All guests also receive a 10% discount on Prolijo Mezcal at Morenos Liquor.
On November 5th, join the Brewja Co Gallery for a special Exhibition: Dia De Muertos – An Art Exhibition on Honoring Tradition. The event in Evergreen Park will showcase art honoring and exploring the Day of the Dead Traditions, and will include a public ofrenda. Feel free to bring photographs of your loved ones! Event runs from 7PM to 10PM and tickets range from $15 to $50.
On November 5th from 6PM to 7PM, the Lit & Luz Book Club Presents: Jazmina BArrera, Rocio Ceron, and Pergentino Jose along with special guest Dr. Ignacio Sanchez Prado for a multilingual conversation about contemporary Mexican Literature. Presented in part by UNAM Chicago & Instituto Cervantes; advance registration required, free to attend.