Día de los Muertos at Denver Botanic Gardens

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican celebration in which death is recognized as a natural part of the cycle of life. More than 500 years ago, when the Conquistadors came to what we know as Mexico, they stumbled upon the Aztec Indians practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It wasn’t mockery, but rather, a joyful remembrance of those who had died. For more than 3,000 years the tradition of celebrating life after death has endured.

To make this ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved the dates to coincide with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1 and 2). It is believed that on these dates, the spirits of the dead visit their families.

Today, Día de los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of Central and North America. On this day people create altars in their homes, they clean and decorate the gravesites of lost loved ones and prepare special foods. They attend mass, and come together to sing, dance and eat, all in remembrance of those who have left this earth. They are never forgotten and therefore, will never truly die.

Schedule of Activities:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Craft and Food Vendors
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Altar Showcase
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Face Painting (additional fee)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Children’s Craft Activities
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. | Storytelling by Spellbinders
11:45 a.m. | Traditional Aztec Dance Demonstration by Grupo Folklorico
3:30 p.m. | Traditional Chinelos Demonstration

Admission:
Members: Free
Adults: $12.50
Seniors (65 and over): $9.50
Students with a valid ID: $9
Children 3-15: $9
Children 2 and under: Free

More info and tickets: http://www.botanicgardens.org/events/special-events/dia-de-los-muertos