Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at these events in the Milwaukee area in 2023

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mexico that encourages participants to remember their ancestors with celebrations and the building of ofrendas, private altars decorated with flowers, skeletons, skulls and memorabilia of the departed. The holiday is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, but local festivities will begin in October and continue into the month of November.

Mexican Fiesta hosts free festival

Experience the traditions of Dia de los Muertos from noon to 10 p.m. Nov. 1 and 2 at Flores Hall, 2997 S. 20th St. OFRENDAS - Festival de los Muertos Tradición Viva! includes a community altar and a candlelight ceremony, music by the Tenampa Brass Band, folklore performances and Mexican storytelling, traditional treats, and a Catrina showcase of traditional Dia de los Muertos attire. See the complete schedule at www.mexicanfiesta.org/ofrendas

Cocktails and sweets at Kimpton Journeyman Hotel

The Outsider rooftop at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel will celebrate Dia De Los Muertos from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 2 with complimentary face painting, specialty cocktails, churros and conchas, and music by local DJ Soppa. For partygoers looking for permanent art, flash tattoos will be available ranging in price from $50 to $70. The event is open to the public, and no tickets are required. Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, 310 E. Chicago St.

Dia de los Muertos events from Latino Arts, Inc.

Latino Arts, Inc., located in the United Community Center at 1028 S. 9th St., will offer Day of the Dead events, beginning with the Dia de Los Muertos Ofrendas exhibit on view from Oct. 18 to Nov. 17. The exhibit features installations from The Mexican Consulate, the University School of Milwaukee, and additional local artists, with an official opening of the exhibit at 5 p.m. Nov. 3.

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A Lunch & Learn panel discussion on “Syncretism and its Impact on Dia de Los Muertos“ will be held at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 19. The lecture will explore the faith and cultural traditions incorporated within the Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Tickets are $15 and include lunch.

A Latino Arts Gallery tour of the Dia de Los Muertos Ofrendas exhibit will be offered during Cafe con Arte on Oct. 26. Jacobo Lovo, managing artistic director, will discuss the symbolism used in the exhibit. The tour is offered in both English and Spanish, and includes churros and coffee. Registration is $5.

Tres Souls will perform at 7 p.m. Nov. 3. The concert by Rocio Mendoza, Roberto Carlos and Jesus Martinez will feature songs of the 1940s to 1960s, as heard during the Golden Era of Mexican Cinema. Tickets are $20-$40.

For additional events visit latinoartsinc.org.

Hispanic Heritage Month events at the Milwaukee Public Library

The Milwaukee Public Library system will offer Hispanic Heritage Month programming at various neighborhood libraries. Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to enjoy Mexican treats at two Day of The Dead programs while designing and decorating skulls. Design a sugar skull on canvas Oct. 9 at the Tippecanoe branch library, 3912 S. Howell Ave.; or decorate a ceramic skull Oct. 10 at the Bay View branch library, 2566 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. For a full list of activities visit mpl.org.

Ofrenda construction, music and more at MAM

The Milwaukee Art Museum Family Sunday programming presents Domingo Familiar: Dia de los Muertos from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15. The day features hands-on art making, a student art exhibition, and visiting artists demonstrating embroidery, painting, and ofrenda construction. Watch performances by the Ometochtli Mexican Folk Dance group and the Latino Arts String program. Event activities are included with the cost of admission to the museum. 700 N. Art Museum Drive. Visit mam.org for more information.

Dia de Los Muertos at the Domes

The Friends of The Domes will host their Dia de los Muertos celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory, 524 S. Layton Blvd. $16 general admission; $13 for Friends of Domes members. Admission includes entrance to the Domes, mariachi band music, the Dia de los Muertos dancers, local arts, crafts, food vendors and bilingual storytime. Ofrendas will be on display. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Register at milwaukeedomes.org.

Forest Home Cemetery tours and festival

Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum at 2405 W. Forest Home Ave. will host cemetery tours and a Dia de los Muertos festival on two weekends in October. The Spirits of the Silent City: Unfinished Business nightly tours will be held from Oct. 19 to 22 with actors portraying historical Milwaukee figures buried or entombed on the grounds. Tickets are $45.

The Día de los Muertos Festival on Oct. 28 begins at 8:30 a.m. with face painting and registration for the 9:30 a.m. 5K run and 2K walk, followed by festival activities at 10 a.m. which include mariachi music, folklorico dancers, altars and ofrendas for the dead in Forest Home's chapel, art and craft activities with the Milwaukee Art Museum, shopping at the festival mercado, food trucks and more.

For tickets and information visit foresthomecemetery.com/visit/public-tours.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events in Milwaukee area for 2023