By Hola Iowa Staff
What is the Day of the Dead?
From midnight on October 31 through November 2, this celebration of souls highlights the strength of family, the honoring of ancestors, and the continuance of life. The Day of the Dead is celebrated with great joy as the living reconnect with loved ones lost through death. It is an expression of the belief that death is not the end of life but rather the continuation of life in the afterworld. During the holiday, the spirits of the deceased are invited back to enjoy the comforts of their earthly life. Festivities surrounding the Day of the Dead vary from solemn religious celebrations to events with exuberant party atmospheres – each family and community has different and unique customs.
Where did it come from?
The dead have been celebrated in the area that is now Mexico for hundreds of years, dating back to Aztec mythology and the goddess of death, Mictēcacihuātl. In 1519, Spanish Conquistador Hernan Cortes invaded what is now Mexico, bringing with him the Catholic religion and the rule of the King of Castile during the first wave of Spanish colonization in the Americas. The beliefs and traditions of the colonizing Spanish and the conquered Aztecs, Mayans, and indigenous peoples collided and merged over time. The cultures were deeply religious, and as conversion to Catholicism progressed, the many gods from the polytheistic native religions became associated with Catholic Saints, while festivals and holidays blended with feast days from each culture.
The Day of the Dead is an example of cultural blending. The Catholic holidays of remembrance – All Souls Day and All Saints Day fell around the same time as traditional harvest celebrations and feasts honoring the god and goddess of death. The belief in an afterlife was shared by both cultures and endured. The Day of the Dead is a national holiday in Mexico and is celebrated in many countries with growing popularity in the United States. Today, this union of deep beliefs from many world cultures has resulted in the modern holiday to honor the dead. Many people celebrate the day regardless of their nationality or religious background. Every generation that celebrates adds its own layer to the cultural collaboration. Each region, city, parish, village, and family has its own traditions, which enables the festivities to be richly layered.
Here is a list of some of the celebrations for the Day of the Dead holiday throughout Iowa and its surrounding communities.
4th Annual Dia de los Muertos Tribute
Saturday, October 5, 2024
12-4 p.m.
Union Park, Des Moines
2009 Saylor Rd,
Des Moines, IA 50313
You are invited to the 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos Tribute on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Union Park, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, in Des Moines. Held during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Tribute honors those lost to gender-based violence and serves as a beacon of hope and healing for Iowa communities.
We invite the community at large to come together to remember the names, faces, and stories of loved ones lost too soon to violence. Attendees are encouraged to bring a photograph of their loved ones to honor their memory and share stories and the names of those who have departed us too soon.
We hope you can be part of this meaningful Tribute as we unite against gender violence and work to create a world where everyone is safe and can thrive.
To learn more, please contact Bleu Valladares (she/they) at [email protected] or Elodia Navarro (she/her) at [email protected]. You can also reach them by phone at 515-244-8028.
Sunday, October 13
12 pm – 5 pm
Figge Art Museum
225 W 2nd St.
Davenport, IA, 52801
The Figge Art Museum in partnership with Hola America, LULAC Davenport and Ascentra Credit Union invite you to come celebrate Día de Los Muertos, Day of the Dead, at the Figge Art Museum on Sunday, October 13 during the annual FREE Family Fiesta.
Guests are invited to honor the memories of loved ones through music, dance, food, and community. Get up close to the larger-than-life Catrinas that will be on view throughout the galleries and experience a traditional altar created by the LULAC Davenport Youth Council.
Day of the Dead Family Celebration
Saturday, October 26, 2024
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Muscatine Art Center
1314 Mulberry Ave,
Muscatine, IA, 52761
Spend the afternoon in the Muscatine Art Center studio on Saturday, October 26th to commemorate Dia de los Muertos, or, Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday where families come together to honor their loved ones who have passed. Drop in between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. for Dia de los Muertos crafts and activities to celebrate the holiday
Day of the Dead / Día de Los Muertos
Sunday, October 27, 2024
11 am – 3 pm
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50312
Step into a vibrant tradition that began over 3,000 years ago in the Aztec Empire. Día de Los Muertos offers healing, joy, and connection, honoring the belief that “what we remember, lives.”
Celebrate this transformative Mexican Indigenous tradition with us at the Des Moines Art Center’s 2024 Day of the Dead event — Day of the Dead: Youth of the Eternal Flame! This festive, free, family-friendly gathering features hands-on art activities, food, music, a Catrina costume contest, and an ofrenda (altar) designed by young artists from Al Éxito with the guidance of artists Siricasso and Dawn Martinez Oropeza.
This year, we are honoring Jóvenes de la Flama Eterna “Youth of the Eternal Flame”— remembering and celebrating the lives of young members of our community, lost too soon.
“Al Éxito is grateful to the Des Moines Art Center for uplifting a vision of our young artists and supporting healing for the families who are grieving the loss of a child. It is an honor to create a space for celebrating the beauty and joy of their lives.”
3rd Annual Dia de Los Muertos Parade & Fiesta
Saturday November 2
10 am – 5 pm
Mercado On Fifth
5th Ave and 12th St.
Moline, IL, 61265
Mark your calendars for our 3rd Annual Dia de Los Muertos Parade on November 2nd, 2024 in Moline!
This marks our third year celebrating Día de los Muertos with a vibrant parade and fiesta, creating a unique and beautiful experience for all ages. Our community comes together not only to celebrate the Mexican culture but also to honor those who are no longer with us, bringing their memories to life through the parade and the altar at the Plaza del Mercado. This year is particularly significant as we pay tribute to our ancestors on the actual Day of Remembrance
Saturday, November 2, 11 am-8 pm
Sunday, November 3, 11 am-6 pm
Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch
11001 S 48th St, Papillion, NE
Come and join us with family and friends to share the historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead Mexican tradition. This celebration includes Mariachi music, authentic Mexican food, catrina contest, folkloric dance, and an offering to the loved ones who have passed away.
For questions: 402-320-9248
There are many more Day of the Dead celebrations throughout Iowa; keep checking in this story for any new updates.