Día de los Muertos 2023
¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!
Día de los Muertos (also known as el Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead) is a time when families get together to remember loved ones who have passed on. Día de los Muertos is not a somber occasion, but rather a celebration of life marked by pan de muerto (bread of the dead), calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls), and papel picado (cut paper).
Celebrations last a total of three days, from October 31 to November 2, but preparation for Día de los Muertos can start weeks in advance. Most families typically begin by setting up an altar, known as an ofrenda, to commemorate loved ones. Ofrendas often include marigolds, photos, and personal items loved most by the loved one being honored, such as a favorite food or drink.
While the holiday has strong ties to Mexico and the Mexican diaspora, similar celebrations that are also known as Day of the Dead have been held around the world in Catholic communities such as Italy (“Giorno dei Morti”) or the Philippines (“Undás” or “Araw ng mga Yumao”) during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.
Learn through community
Listen to former EchoX staff member, Brenda Rodriguez, as she talks about how she and her family celebrate Día de los Muertos!
Read “Dia de los Muertos,” a piece by Seattle resident Aleyda Cervantes about how she celebrates Día de los Muertos in Seattle. This piece is part of Front Porch Seattle, a series of articles published on Seattle Department of Neighborhoods’ website sharing stories by Seattle residents of all backgrounds.
Seattle Neighborhoods.
“A Celebration of Life: Día de los Muertos” is a beautiful short documentary produced by Beautiful Destinations that explores Oaxaca, Mexico, and captures Día de los Muertos traditions.
Browse “Day of the Dead – Dia de los Muertos” to enjoy this website entirely dedicated to celebrating all things Día de los Muertos. All the content from this site comes from professional writers in Mexico that have first-hand experience and are excited to share their knowledge and passion.
Screenshot of DOTD's homepage. The ofrenda
Learn about the six common objects that are often used to decorate ofrendas (and the meaning behind each object) in “The Meaning Behind Six Objects on Día de los Muertos Altars” published by Smithsonian Magazine.
Vira Degtiarova/Getty Images Satisfy your Día de los Muertos food cravings!
Pixelshot/Canva Try your hand at some home cooking! Invite your friends and family over for a delicious Día de los Muertos snack or meal. From sugar skulls to tamales, the Día de los Muertos website is stock-piled with recipes you’ll be excited to make!
Find Mexican food trucks and carts in and around the Seattle area! Whether you’re on the hunt for savory, sweet, or vegetarian options, Seattle Food Truck can help you find the nearest Mexican food truck in your neighborhood!
Where to celebrate?
Curious about where to celebrate Día de los Muertos or other cultural events and holidays? Visit our calendar! We have categories for many annual cultural events and holidays and are adding more every year.
At Voices, we believe community engagement is key! If you have any questions, comments, feedback, or suggestions for this or other pieces please don’t hesitate to drop a line to: voices@echox.org. Someone from our team will get back to you shortly.
Our Northwest ethnic cultural communities have stories to tell and we need your support to amplify them! Donate $5 or $10 to help us continue raising the visibility of Northwest cultural community organizations and members. Follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on the latest in the Northwest.
Our Northwest ethnic cultural communities have stories to tell and we need your support to amplify them! Donate $5 or $10 to help us continue raising the visibility of Northwest cultural community organizations and members. Follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list to stay up to date on the latest in the Northwest.