Looking to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Philly? We\u2019ve got you covered on all things D\u00eda de los Muertos in the city.<\/p>\n
Penn Museum<\/p>\n
The Penn Museum\u2019s 15th annual CultureFest! D\u00eda de los Muertos is set to return to West Philly on Saturday, Oct. 24. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can browse through an artisan marketplace, enjoy live music and dance, take part in family activities and catch bilingual storytelling celebrating Mexican traditions across generations.<\/p>\n
The all-day festival centers on a monumental ofrenda (a communal altar honoring loved ones who have passed). This year\u2019s handmade tribute, created by artists Pamela Plata and Juanita Aguilar, is titled ‘When Spirits Dance: A Tribute to Amalia Hern\u00e1ndez,’ and celebrates the pioneering Mexican choreographer who founded Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico de M\u00e9xico in 1952.<\/p>\n
The celebration will additionally feature free samples of pan de muerto (traditional Day of the Dead bread) and Mexican hot chocolate will be served at 3:15 p.m. The festival also plans to feature a community altar contest, with winners announced at 3:30 p.m. All CultureFest! activities are included with Penn Museum admission.<\/p>\n
3260 South St., penn.museum<\/a><\/p>\n South 9th Street<\/p>\n To celebrate the occasion, 9th Street\u2019s D\u00eda de los Muertos festival will feature a full day of activities that will continue well into the night on Nov. 1. Organized by the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, the daytime festivities will stretch along Ninth Street from Federal to Christian streets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., inviting the community to honor loved ones who have died and celebrate the traditions that keep their memories alive.<\/p>\n The party will then continue after dark at Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catharine St.), where La Calaca Flaca will host an evening of art, music and community from 4 to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n aemphilly.org<\/a><\/p>\n Aqimero<\/p>\n At Aqimero<\/a>, Chef Richard Sandoval is bringing his own spin to D\u00eda de los Muertos. From now through Nov. 3, the restaurant\u2019s limited-time, prix-fixe menu draws inspiration from El Sol (the sun), with colorful dishes and seasonal sips that \u201ctrace its journey from dawn to dusk\u201d.<\/p>\n The menu holds dishes like seafood brightened with mango and saffron aguachile, achiote-braised short rib with plantain pur\u00e9e, and pumpkin cr\u00e8me br\u00fbl\u00e9e topped with salted caramel ice cream and pepita brittle. Cocktail-wise, locals can sip on a sparkling pomegranate Sol, a mezcalita with tamarind and charred baby corn or a hibiscus-and-guava zero-proof punch.<\/p>\n The festivities will culminate Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., when Sandoval and his son, Chef Giancarlo Sandoval, will host \u2018El Sol: D\u00eda de los Muertos Dinner\u2019. The intimate, one-night-only service will feature a three-course tasting menu with beverage pairings inspired by the sun\u2019s daily arc. The dinner ($85 per person) will also feature a traditional ofrenda and a communal atmosphere. Seating is limited; reservations are available through OpenTable.<\/p>\n 10 Ave Of The Arts, aqimero.com<\/a><\/p>\n Philadelphia Magic Gardens<\/p>\n At Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens, Mexican artist Ivette Chaires is bringing D\u00eda de los Muertos to life through a pair of special events inspired by her exhibition ‘Viviendo a Trav\u00e9s de la Muerte<\/a> (Living Through Death)’, on view through Nov. 8.<\/p>\n First, on Oct. 27, Chaires will help install a traditional ofrenda alongside her sculptures in the museum\u2019s back gallery. Visitors are also invited to contribute photos and notes honoring loved ones, and the ofrenda will remain on display through Nov. 8, offering a space for reflection amongst Chaires\u2019 work.<\/p>\n Secondly, on Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m., Chaires will lead a Calavera Workshop ($25-$30), teaching participants to create traditional papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 skulls inspired by the designs featured in her exhibit. The workshop will offer a hands-on way to explore the creativity and symbolism behind D\u00eda de los Muertos through Mexican techniques.<\/p>\n 1020 South St., phillymagicgardens.org<\/a><\/p>\n Andra Hem<\/p>\n For a D\u00eda de los Muertos-inspired sip, bartender Kayla Kobialka has mixed up the Michoacan Burial Ground, a cocktail honoring the Mexican region of Michoac\u00e1n and its more than 1,500 years of funerary history.<\/p>\n The drink blends mushroom-infused a\u00f1ejo rum, sotol, Nonino Reserva, prickly pear, aloe, citrus and a spritz of geosmin for a floral finish\u2014which Andra Hem notes is “the compound responsible for that unmistakable earthy scent of rain hitting freshly turned soil.”<\/p>\n 218 S 16th St., andrahem.com<\/a><\/p>\n FDR Park<\/p>\n D\u00eda de los Muertos will take center stage at FDR Park on Saturday, Oct. 24. On that date, artist Cesar Viveros will take over Gateway Plaza to host an evening of Mexican culture, music and art.<\/p>\n From 5 to 8 p.m., visitors can check out folkloric dance and live music (including from \u00d1uuxakun and Son Revoltur), plus DJ Valentin Flores of Dance Philly will be on site. The event will also feature a Latino Market with bites and crafts, and an art installation at the park\u2019s pedestrian entrance.<\/p>\n Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, myphillypark.org<\/a><\/p>\n