Day of the Dead
Oct. 27 - 29, 2023 • 11 am - 5 pm
St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
131 E 10th St, New York, NY 10003
Download the program for the event
Join us in New York City to celebrate our beloved Day of the Dead tradition with various activities, including art-making and live music. Día de Muertos is a special time to honor and revere our ancestors and family members who have passed away. This tradition originates from native Mexican beliefs, emphasizing the significance of maintaining a strong connection with the deceased, as life on earth is a preparation for the next world.
It is a time to remember their memories and cherish the moments that we shared with them. Join us in creating a beautiful Ofrenda (Altar) where we can dedicate photographs (copies), letters, notes, and names to those who have departed. Immerse yourself in various activities, including art-making and live music, as we celebrate the lives of those who have left us and the community their presence has touched.
As part of our annual Día de Muertos gathering, we will install a public art COVID-19 memorial this year. The memorial is being created by Naming The Lost Memorials, Mano a Mano, City Lore, and Great Small Works, with support from the Mellon Foundation. It will be displayed on the fence at St. Mark’s Church-in-the-Bowery and feature artwork created by community partners Inside Change, Parole Preparation Project, and Oye Group. The public is welcome to come and view the memorial and participate in the event.
OUR OFRENDA
Artists Danny Tepi, Andrea Arroyo, and Aurelio del Muro collaborated in our studio for several weeks to create the Ofrenda for the Day of the Dead. The inspiration for the Ofrenda came from the winged hearts of Guanajuato and the Talavera from Puebla. Many Mexican New Yorkers come from Puebla, the hardest-hit group within the Mexican community during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. Through this ofrenda, we pay tribute to them and all the victims.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Friday, October 27
11- 5 pm - Marketplace
Experience the vibrant colors and unique designs of traditional Mexican folk art, and indulge in delicious Mexican food, all available for purchase.
11- 1 pm - Ofrenda building
Join us for the traditional Ofrenda building, a tribute to loved ones who have passed away, created by Danny Tepi in collaboration with Andrea Arroyo and Aurelio del Muro.
1 pm - Naming the Lost Memorials
Join us for the activation ceremony, where we will honor and remember our loved ones who lost their lives to Covid-19.
1-4 pm - Workshops
Create paper flowers, embellish your Día de Muertos button, and do other crafting activities.
4 pm - Marilyn Castillo
Marilyn Castillo is a rising star in New York's Latin alternative music scene, captivating audiences with her emotive singing style and interpretations.
Saturday, October 28
11 - 5 pm - Marketplace
Experience the vibrant colors and unique designs of traditional Mexican folk art, and indulge in delicious Mexican food, all available for purchase.
1 pm - Naming the Lost Memorials
Join us for the activation ceremony, where we will honor and remember our loved ones who lost their lives to Covid-19.
1 - 4 pm - Workshops
Create paper flowers, embellish your Día de Muertos button, and do other crafting activities.
3 pm - Son Pecadores
Enjoy the regional folk musical style of Mexican Son
4 pm - Claudia Valentina Montes
Her music is an amalgamation of her diverse influences, resulting in a unique sound that blends traditional Mexican music with contemporary elements from around the world.
Sunday, October 29
11 - 5 pm - Marketplace
Experience the vibrant colors and unique designs of traditional Mexican folk art, and indulge in delicious Mexican food, all available for purchase.
1 pm - Naming the Lost Memorials
Join us for the activation ceremony, where we will honor and remember our loved ones who lost their lives to Covid-19.
1-4 pm - Workshops
Create paper flowers, embellish your Día de Muertos button, and do other crafting activities.
2 pm - Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatl in Ixachitlan (music and dance)
Ceremonial performance by the indigenous community-based circle
4 pm - Mariachi Performance
Experience the world-famous Mariachi music originating from western Mexico.
5 pm - Taking down the Altar and closing.
Live Music • Mexican Folk Art Market • Mexican food
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is not required but appreciated.
The Day of the Dead at St. Mark's is outdoors, rain or shine. The scheduled activities are subject to change or cancelation if there are strong wind gusts, hail, or snow. For updates during the event, follow us on Twitter at @MexCulture.
Since 2005, We have celebrated the Day of the Dead in the East Yard of the historic St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery.
Atl Tlachinolli picture by Mari Uchida
Sugar skulls traditionally bear a person's name on the forehead. Picture by Nicky Conti
The bread of the dead or pan de muerto.
Atl Tlachinolli picture by Mari Uchida
Our past Day of the Dead celebrations.
About the Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead has been one of Mexico’s most important festivals since pre-Hispanic times. It is a time for families to gather and welcome the souls of the dead on their annual visit home. Cempasúchil (marigold) flowers, burning copal incense, fresh pan de muertos bread, candles, sugar skulls, photographs, and mementos of the departed adorn special altars. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is celebrated over an entire week with the preparation of altars, foods, dance, music, and special offerings for people who have died. Mano a Mano recreates the magical space of a village churchyard during the celebration and has organized a series of events, including altar building, workshops, dance, poetry, and music.
The name of the holiday is Día de Muertos.
In Mexico, the celebration is traditionally called Día de Muertos. However, in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries, it is often referred to as Día de los Muertos, a back-translation of the Day of the Dead into Spanish. We use the original name of the holiday.
Learn more about the history of the Day of the Dead and find answers to some frequently asked questions.
Downloads
Thank you to our funders and partners
We would like to thank our funders and partners for their support.
Funding for the Day of the Dead is provided, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, CFEi, the Mex-Am Cultural Foundation Inc., the Mellon Foundation, and the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute.
Additional support is provided by our partners Copalli Mexican Folk Art, Creatives Rebuild New York, Naming the Lost Memorials, CityLore, Great Small Works, and St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery.
© 2020 Nicky Conti