As Halloween ends, Dia de Los Muertos begins. The Day of the Day, a traditional Mexican holiday celebrates family, life and death. Denver has some amazing Dia de Lose Muertos events to attend to honor those who have passed while the rest of us keep kicking it.
Dia de los Muertos
Photo by Kyle Cooper.
When: October 31 – November 2
Where: Cervecería Colorado, 1635 Platte St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Cervecería Colorado presents Dia de los Muertos. The three-day event features a celebration of life and death with sugar skull crafts, building of alters and more. You can sip on a special tapping of a Marigold Venga and munch on food from food trucks while celebrating the Day of the Dead.
Dia de los Muertos at Kachina Cantina
Photo courtesy of Kachina Denver on Facebook
When: October 31 – November 3
Where: Kachina Cantina, 1890 Wazee St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Dig into some Mexican delights during Dia de los Muertos at Kachina Cantina. The four-day event features a special menu with items such as chicken chile relleno, Mexican elote, churro bites and more. You can dine at a pillar candle table and experience a Day of the Dead altar.
Dia de los Muertos at Lola
Photo Courtesy of Lola Coastal Mexican on Facebook
When: November 1, 4 – 10 p.m.
Where: Lola Coastal Mexican, 1575 Boulder St., Denver
Cost: $45 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Celebrate the Day of the Dead during Dia de los Muertos at Lola. The event features an unlimited tasting of five different food stations, sips of craft cocktails and more. You can jam out to live music from Son Tres and paint sugar skulls while you dine.
XicanIndie First Thursday
Exterior of Su Teatro. Photo courtesy of Su Teatro on Facebook
When: November 1, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center presents XicanIndie First Thursday. The event features a screening of two Day of the Dead films. You can watch Macarcio – a classic Dia de los Muertos film and the Disney hit Coco, that celebrates family.
Los RiNo Sugar Skull Painting
Photo Courtesy of Los Chingones on Facebook
When: November 1, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Los Chingones, 2463 Larimer St., Denver
Cost: $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Los Chingones hosts a Los RiNo Sugar Skull Painting. The event features an evening to celebrate Dia de los Muertos with a painting session. You can paint a custom sugar skull and have a chance to win booze. The ticket price includes all supplies needed, a drink from El Jimador and bites from Chingones. You can also bring a non-perishable food item to sip on another complimentary drink. A percentage of the proceeds from the event benefit the Food Bank of the Rockies.
Dia De Muertos with Atlas
Photo by Kori Hazel
When: November 1, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Where: Syntax Physic Opera, 554 South Broadway, Denver
Cost: $10 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Syntax Physic Opera hosts Dia De Muertos with Atlas. The event features a night to party in celebration of Dia De Muertos. You can jam out to beats from Atlas, participate in a procession, have your spirit cleansed with Limpias and more. Make sure to bring an offering to add to an altar to honor the dead.
Día de Los Muertos Celebration
Photo Courtesy of Servicios de La Raza on Facebook
When: November 1, 5:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: La Raza Park, 1501 W 38th Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: La Raza Park hosts a Día de Los Muertos Celebration. The event features a procession around the park in honor of those who have passed, a dinner and more. You can bring candles and celebrate the dead with the living.
University of Denver Día de los Muertos
Photo Courtesy of Center for Multicultural Excellence at the University of Denver on Facebook
When: November 1, 4 – 7 p.m.
Where: Center for Multicultural Excellence at the University of Denver, 2055 E Evans Ave., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Honor your loved ones and friends that have passed at the University of Denver Día de los Muertos. You can participate in building a community altar with items that remind you of the dead and celebrate their lives in a happy setting.
Day of the Dead Celebration
Photo Courtesy of The People’s Building on Facebook
When: November 1, 4 – 8 p.m.
Where: The People’s Building, 9995 E Colfax Ave., Aurora
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: The People’s Building presents a Day of the Dead Celebration. The event features an evening of creating altars to honor Dia de los Muertos, music, workshops and more. You can sip on drinks and nibble on food while you honor the dead.
First Friday Art Walk
Image courtesy of Art District on Santa Fe Facebook.
When: November 2, 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Where: Art District on Santa Fe, Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free and open to the public
The Lowdown: The first Friday of every month means a chance to experience the First Friday Art Walk. You can venture down the Art District on Santa Fe to experience all of the amazing galleries and creative businesses. The walk features 30 participating locations on Santa Fe and a whole slew of food trucks to fuel your art adventures. You can see sculptures, prints and more at the participating businesses. This Friday you can experience a Dia de los Muertos themed walk.
READ: The Definitive Guide to Denver Art Galleries
Sol Tribe Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Sol Tribe Interior Courtesy of FaceBook
When: November 2, 7 – 8 p.m.
Where: Sol Tribe Custom Tattoo and Body Piercing, 56 Broadway, Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Gather with others at the Sol Tribe Dia de los Muertos Celebration. The event features a night of decorating sugar skulls, creating a community altar and more. You can peruse the amazing shop while celebrating the Day of the Dead.
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
Photo courtesy of Pirate Contemporary Art on Facebook
When: November 2, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Pirate: Contemporary Art, 7130 W 16th Ave., Lakewood
Cost: Free and open to the public
The Lowdown: Pirate: Contemporary Art hosts a Dia De Los Muertos Celebration. The event features a party to celebrate the Mexican holiday in the 40 West Arts District. You can explore Pirate: Contemporary Art’s latest exhibitions and pay respects to those who have passed at altars.
Sugar Skull Paint & Sip
Photo Courtesy of Potter’s Touch Denver on Facebook
When: November 2, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Dos Luces, 1236 S Broadway, Denver
Cost: $30 get tickets here
The Lowdown: Dos Luces partners with Potter’s Touch Denver to hosts a Sugar Skull Paint & Sip. The event features a chance to painting a sugar skull mug while sipping on some delightful craft brews. You can honor the Mexican tradition of decorating sugar skulls in celebration of Dia de los Muertos and bring home a memento.
Day of the Dead Carnival
Photo Courtesy of Su Teatro Culture and Performing Arts Center
When: November 2, 4 – 10 p.m.
Where: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, 721 Santa Fe Dr., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center presents a Day of the Dead Carnival. The event features altars set up to honor family and friends who have passed, performances from Mariachi Sangre Mexicana and more in a Mexican style cemetery. You can sip on Mexican hot chocolate and nibble on Pan de Muerte as you celebrate the Day of the Dead.
Los Muertos Fantasticos
Photo Courtesy of The Fantastic Hosts on Facebook
When: November 2, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Where: Secret Location, Denver
Cost: $15 – $25 get tickets here
The Lowdown: The Fantastic Hosts presents Los Muertos Fantasticos. The event features an adventure with puzzles, obstacles and more. You can experience live music, entertainment and an underworld party to celebrate the afterlife. Make sure to dress in Dia de los Muertos gear to fit the theme.
Colfax Art Crawl
Photo Courtesy of 40 West Arts District on Facebook
When: November 2, 5 – 9 p.m.
Where: 40 West Arts District, 1560 Teller St., Lakewood
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: 40 West Arts Districts hosts the Colfax Art Crawl. The event features a free crawl to all of the creative businesses and galleries throughout the district with a Dia de los Muertos theme. You can watch performances from fire artists, Aztec dancers and more as you explore new art.
Dia de los Muertos at the Gardens
Photo Courtesy of Denver Botanic Gardens on Facebook
When: November 3, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Denver Botanic Gardens hosts Dia de los Muertos at the Gardens. The event features a day of celebration with traditional Mexican bites, live art demonstrations, a costume contest and more. You can also shop from vendors presenting art, prints and jewelry and have a chance to watch some Lucha Libre wrestling.
Muertos en Westwood
Photo Courtesy of The Empress on Facebook
When: November 3, 3 – 10 p.m.
Where: The Empress Gallery, 3950 W Morrison Rd., Denver
Cost: Free admission
The Lowdown: Westwood Creative District hosts Muertos en Westwood. The event features a day of art, food and more. You can peruse exhibitions from Theyshootn, DINKC, and The Empress, watch a lowrider car show and experience an Aztec process and ceremony. You can also participate in a Pan de Muerto cooking class and munch on food from food trucks while you celebrate.
Dia de los Muertos Tour
Photo by Brittany Werges
When: November 3, 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Cheesman Park Pavillion, Franklin St. and S 8th Ave., Denver
Cost: $15 at entry
The Lowdown: Take a night to explore Denver’s Cheesman Park during a Dia de los Muertos Tour. The event features a tour around the park guided by paranormal specialists Sam Carstens and Karen Fischer. You can dress up in Dia de los Muertos costumes and bring offerings to add to an Ofrenda altar to honor the spirits in the park.