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Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a two-day holiday from November 1st to November 2nd when the living and the dead are reunited. The Disney-Pixar film Coco created a newfound fascination for vacation for me. An annual celebration in honor of deceased relatives who are still present in our lives appeals to me. Latin American families create offrendas (offerings) to celebrate their deceased family members.
Photos of the deceased adorn the altars, which are presented with bright yellow marigolds and their favorite foods and drinks. The offerings encourage visits from the afterlife while the departed souls hear our prayers, smell the food, and participate in the celebrations. Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrating life and death, exchanging grief for celebration.
Ofrenda Michoacan at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin (Photo: Savannah Diaz)
The Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels) begins on November 1st at midnight when the souls of all deceased children come together with their families for 24 hours. An ofrenda is created with the photo of the deceased child and favorite snacks and toys to encourage the child’s visit. Often a sugar skull bears the child’s name.
The Día de los Difuntos is celebrated at midnight the following day to honor deceased adults. Bottles of atole (a thick drink made from corn, cinnamon and vanilla), tequila, pan de muerto (bread), mezcal and favorite foods adorn the ofrenda as the night turns with laughter, funny memories, games, mariachi bands, dancing, and memories to loved ones.
Dia de los Muertos is the grand finale and public celebration of all spirits of the dead. People come together and have parades in the streets, dressed with calaveras painted faces (skeletons). Families visit the cemetery to decorate the graves with marigolds, sugar skulls, and gifts with the names of the deceased. The grave is also being cleaned and restored.
The author’s ofrenda in honor of the parents and in-laws (Photo: Janie Pace)
Often drawn with smiles to laugh at death itself, calaveras (skulls) take many shapes such as sugar skulls that are decorated and placed on the offrendas. La Catrina, the ancient queen of the Aztec underworld, is depicted as a skeleton with a plumed hat designed to encourage you to live your real self and not try to be someone you are not as we all end up being skeletons .
Mexican marigolds (known as “flor de muerto” or “flowers of the dead”) are the paths that spirits lead to their offrendas. When they return to enjoy their favorite foods, they are drawn to the bright colors and scents of the flowers that represent the beauty and fragility of life.
The ofrenda offering is the whole celebration, the collection of offerings dedicated to the honored person. A colorful oilcloth covers the table with additional photos, papel picado (paper flags with skulls and skeletons), personal items, candles and favorite foods such as tamales, tortilla soup, chalupas, sopes, caramel flan or mole. The archway covered with palm leaves and bouquets of marigolds is the gateway to the other world.
There are five local civic and cultural groups in major Texas cities – San Antonio, Austin, Victoria, Corpus Christi, and Fort Worth – that celebrate the Día de Los Muertos with costumes, dancing, food, wine, parades, decorated altars, and more .
Community altar at the Muertos Festival in San Antonio (Photo: Josh Huskin)
1. San Antonio
The ninth annual Día De Los Muertos in San Antonio will take place from October 23 to 24, 2021 in downtown Hemisfair, one of National Geographic’s “7 Best Fall Festivals in the USA” celebrations with live music, a large open-air Altar exhibition, original works of art, live poetry, dance, drums, giant puppet procession or mojigangas and workshops.
Find out how to make and decorate sugar skulls and where to order the skull shapes here. The recipe calls for fine granulated sugar, meringue powder and powdered sugar.
Interesting Fact: Day of the Dead is not a Mexican Halloween. The two holidays are separate. Most of the people in Latin America don’t decorate their homes with spiders and bats or wear creepy costumes.
Pro tip: Stay at the Inn on the River Walk, three early 19th century houses with 13 luxurious guest suites on the River Walk at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, with free breakfast, parking and WiFi. See my article on Hotels and Restaurants in San Antonio on the River Walk here.
Gallery Ofrenda Michoacan by Bryan Lara in the Austin Mexic-Arte Museum (Photo: Bryan Lara)
2. Austin
The Día de Los Muertos Festival, held annually at the Austins Mexic-Arte Museum, is known as the Viva La Vida Fest, the longest day of the dead festival in the city, this year on October 30, 2021. The Grand Procession, a parade that very elaborate Día de los Muertos costumes, the celebration begins. Live music, local art, and retail vendors are the main attractions. Browse the educational pavilion to see art demos, interactive displays, and enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine like tamales and mole. Keep an eye out for news about the annual Catrina Gala en Familia, which serves museum operations and underserved schools.
Interesting Fact: It’s not a sad time, but a time of celebration where death is viewed as part of life. You will see colorful, smiling skulls and skeletons as a friendly nod to death. This view of death began during the month-long Aztec festival, during which the dead were celebrated to pay homage to Mictlancihuatl, the Lady of Death, who protected her deceased loved ones and helped them in the afterlife.
Pro tip: Stay nearby at The Driskill, a Texas historic landmark in the heart of downtown Austin. With 189 luxurious guest rooms and 14 spacious suites, three exquisite dining options and unsurpassed service, The Driskill is a stay you will not forget.
3. Victoria
From October 1 to November 1, 2021, Victoria celebrates the Día de Los Muertos with community, tradition and culture. Latin Americans have celebrated the holiday since 1800 BC. You will not see pictures or pictures of the dead, ghosts, witches or the devil. Celebration is a Catholic Christian ritual mixed with folk culture that reflects on our lives, heritage, ancestors and the purpose of our existence.
Visit #myofrendaVTX for a virtual slideshow of personal home ofrendas created by local Victorians throughout the festival. On October 29, watch a memorial exhibition on October 29th with the Victoria Art League showcasing local art by deceased artists. On Saturday, October 30th, view an exhibition of photographs taken by locals on the theme of Celebrating Life and Death.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind Día de los Muertos food tour at mapped restaurants or take a self-guided walk through the shops in downtown Victoria and view special dedications. See the altar competition and celebration on October 30th at De Leon Plaza from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pro tip: See my article on Victoria, Activities, Restaurants, and Places to Stay.
4. Corpus Christi
Corpus Christis Día De Los Muertos 2021 will continue as planned at the K Space Gallery and throughout downtown Corpus Christi, replacing this year’s street festival. Visit the Walk of Remembrance Ofrenda Display at the Ritz Theater, the Downtown Altar Tour, Tienditas de Día de Los Muertos with selected providers, art exhibitions, photo exhibitions and virtual programming on social media.
Fun Fact: The Day of the Dead is a widely celebrated holiday around the world. Many commemorate All Souls’ Day at the same time as the day of the dead. The celebration is unique in its traditions, the ofrenda, the calaveras, the style influenced by La Catrina and the festivals in the streets.
Pro tip: Stay at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel in the vibrant downtown Marina District overlooking Corpus Christi Bay. Republic of Texas Bar & Grill offers fresh seafood and steaks with scenic views.
MECAs Día de Los Muertos Festival 2019 (Photo: Pin Lim / Forest Photography)
5. Houston
Houston’s celebration, October 30-31, 2021, is sponsored by MECA, Multicultural Education and Counseling Through the Arts, where you can enjoy Mexican and Latin American altar and retablo displays, community workshops, a variety of food, and a fun run. The ornate campus of the nationally recognized Historic Dow School in the heart of Houston’s Old Sixth Ward will host the event in its 21st year.
Pro tip: The downtown Hyatt Regency Houston is near the MECA. Treat yourself to a delicious steak at the only Shula’s Steakhouse in Texas. Treat yourself to a quick breakfast at Einstein Bros. Bagels or enjoy a margarita in the chic lobby bar.
6. Fort Worth
October 30, 2021, visit the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in celebration of the Day of the Dead at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden with live bands, drinks, and food trucks. Celebrate this longstanding Mexican tradition and dress in your favorite day of the dead costume.
Pro tip: The Fort Worth Kimpton Harper Hotel is now open, a signature boutique hotel that blends the city’s unique history with contemporary style. Take the elevator to the lobby on the 24th floor for views of the city and a lively bar scene with craft cocktails and snacks. Enjoy modern Italian cuisine in the Modo on the ground floor.
Our dead are never dead until we forget them, as Miguel reminds us in the movie Coco.
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