Although it’s Halloween-adjacent, Día de los Muertos is a very separate event rich in culture and history. This Mexican holiday, dating back to the 16th century, honors the dead and celebrates the reunion of the living and the dead. 

Observed on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2., many traditions honor the children who have passed on Nov. 1,  Día de los Angelitos or All Saints’ Day. Nov. 2, recognized as Día de los Difuntos or All Souls’ Day, is dedicated to deceased adults. Families create ofrendas, or altars, decorated with marigolds, photos, candles and keepsakes to welcome and remember their loved ones. 

In Dallas, the holiday is being celebrated with rooftop parties, block parties, parades, and one-day-only brunches. Here are some great ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Dallas. 

If you’d like to add an event, send it to us at: Lauren.Daniels@DallasObserver.com.

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Dallas Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival
1500 Marilla St. (Downtown)
Oct. 31 4 – 11 p.m. 
Dallas’ biggest Día de los Muertos celebration takes place Oct. 31. The seventh annual Dallas Día de los Muertos Parade & Festival kicks off at 4 p.m. with live music, concessions, crafts and more. The parade starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. It’s a picturesque celebration of those who have passed with intricate costumes portraying catrinas and catríns and glowing floats adorned with marigolds.

Dia de los Muertos Presented by Latino Cultural Center 
2600 Live Oak St. (East Dallas)
Oct. 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
The Latino Cultural Center’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration returns Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family-friendly event will feature a catrina fashion show and contest, folklórico and performances by Booker T. Washington Latin Arts Ensemble and Dallas Wind. Guests can visit free activity stations, including Sugar Skulls by Maggie, vendors and community ofrendas made by 18 local artists. 

Día de los Muertos Oak Cliff Celebration at CocoAndré
423 Centre St. (Oak Cliff)
Nov. 1, noon – 5 p.m. 
On the heels of their grand reopening, CocoAndré is hosting Oak Cliff’s beloved Día de los Muertos celebration. The annual tradition takes place at the chocolateria’s new home. It features a vendor lineup of local businesses spanning bagels, pan dulce, permanent jewelry and pet goods, alongside nonprofit organizations. CocoAndré will also offer its hand-painted sugar skulls, a labor of love that takes months to prepare. The full lineup has yet to be announced, but expect a colorful array of Mexican culture with dancers, music, and culture. Just go. No excuses.

Restaurants and bars

Community Altar at Sor Juana
1908 Canton St. (Downtown)
Oct. 28 – Nov. 8
One of our favorite new restaurants (botanero, technically) and overall vibe in Dallas, Sor Juana. The downtown(ish) restaurant is hosting a community altar in collaboration with Mitotiliztli Yaoyollohtli, a Danza Mexihka (Aztec) cultural group, which has spent decades preserving indigenous culture. Sor Jauna invites you to “bring a photo of a loved one or a beloved pet to collectively create a shared space for remembrance, connection, and honoring those who came before us.” Then stay for lunch, dinner, or a late-night DJ. The altar will occupy a side room, which already features beautiful Mexican art.

Brunch Todos Santos at Puerto Cocina
155 Riveredge Dr. (Design District)
Nov. 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 
James Beard-recognized Regino Rojas is teaming up with Puerto Cocina for Brunch Todos Santos, a one-day takeover honoring Día de los Muertos on Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rojas’ culturally-steeped cooking has been a cornerstone at Revolver Taco Lounge and Purépecha. Now he’s bringing it to the Design District, pairing his Michoacán roots with Puerto Cocina Baja’s coastal cuisine for a specialty à la carte brunch menu. Reservations are available on Resy. (The food editor already made hers.)

Día de los Muertos Block Party at Sueño
800 W. Arapaho Road (Richardson)
Nov. 2, 4 – 9 p.m. 
The OG Sueño is keeping tradition going with the return of its annual Día de los Muertos block party. The indoor-outdoor festivities features a DJ, live entertainment and the restaurant’s El Taquero & Cantinero stand. Outside, guests can enjoy trompo and sirloin tacos with smoky salsa macha, fries, and corn on the cob with aioli. Inside, the kitchen will be serving mini tetelas de cochinita pibil, sopa de mole negro, tamales de mole negro and dulce de leche buñuelos. The Richardson Tex-Mex spot will be serving specialty cocktails all night, including the pan de muerto cocktail inspired by the traditional sweet bread eaten during Día de los Muertos celebrations. 

Día de los Muertos at Sueño Coctelería Mexicana
6600 Snider Plaza (Park Cities)
Nov. 2, 4 – 10 p.m. 
The newer Sueño tears a page out of Mexico City design with volcanic stone, handwoven textiles and Alma Agave, a tequila and mezcal lounge. The restaurant will host its first Día de los Muertos party in Snider Plaza on Nov. 2, from 4 to 10 p.m.. The restaurant will have all the traditional ofrenda offerings available at the Richardson event, including specialty cocktails such as cempasúchil, copal, tepache de guava and chelada de aguachile. A DJ gets the party started at Alma Agave at 4:30 p.m.

Día de los Muertos at Rosalind Coffee
107 N Sixth St. (Garland)
Oct. 24, 5 – 8 p.m. 
Downtown Garland’s Rosalind Coffee is honoring Día de los Muertos with a special after-hours event on Oct. 24. Starting at 5 p.m., the coffee shop will screen Coco. Enjoy the movie with a cup of café de olla, ponche or Abuelita hot chocolate. There will also be other Mexican treats. 

Día de los Muertos Dinner at Seven Doors Kitchen & Cocktails
5774 Grandscape Blvd. (The Colony)
Oct. 29, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. 
The spirit of Mexico is taking over Seven Doors Kitchen & Cocktails on Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The modern American restaurant has crafted a night to gather and honor Día de los Muertos with food, cocktails, and mariachi. The experience cost $90 per person, and dressing up is encouraged. Tickets are available online. 

Día de los Muertos at Te Deseo
2700 Olive St. (Victory Park)
Oct. 31, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. 
Te Deseo is getting the celebration started on Halloween night. On Oct. 31 at 10 p.m., the restaurant’s La Terraza will host a rooftop Día de los Muertos party. The spirited event will feature a DJ, decor, Espolón Tequila specials and signature cocktails. Get in the spirit of the night with pre-party dinner reservations. The menu includes The Flaming Skull, a skull-shaped lava cake that arrives on fire. RSVP for the rooftop party on Eventbrite. 

Día de los Muertos Block Party x Revelers Hall 
412 N. Bishop Ave. (Bishop Arts)
Nov. 1, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 
One thing’s for sure, Revelers Hall knows how to throw a block party. They’re running it back alongside Jaquval Pub, closing down Bishop Arts for Día de los Muertos. The all-day event will feature vendors and food, plus live music starting with Saul Eduardo y su Mariachi at 11 a.m. Ritual de Muriel, Sabor Puro, and Yolanda Cruz & The Daydreamers will follow.