MECA’s annual Día de Muertos Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Historic Dow School, 1900 Kane St., in Houston’s Old Sixth Ward.
The free, two-day celebration will feature community-created ofrendas, artist and artisan vendors, festival food, children’s art activities and performances across three stages.
The ofrendas are a central part of the celebration. Visitors can see altars created by community members honoring loved ones through photographs, flowers, candles, artwork and personal belongings.
MECA’s celebration is part of a month-long series of events that began in October, including Monarchs & Marigolds in partnership with the Houston Botanic Garden, Noche de Ofrendas and a community run with Freaks Run Club.
For more than two decades, MECA has used art and cultural programming to bring Houston families together and introduce new audiences to Día de Muertos traditions.
“We see families who have celebrated Día de Muertos for generations, but we also see people who are experiencing these traditions for the first time. I think that says a lot about Houston,” said Armando Silva, MECA executive director.
Silva said the celebration provides an opportunity for younger generations to learn about their cultural traditions while welcoming people from different backgrounds to understand and appreciate the meaning behind the holiday.
Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican and Latin American celebration honoring deceased loved ones. The holiday is observed Nov. 1 and 2 and brings families together through altars, music, food, dance and other traditions.
Houston’s sixth annual Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival, presented by Reliant, is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Sam Houston Park.
The event will feature a colorful procession, live music, food, arts and crafts, and other activities celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed away.
Organizers say the celebration is open to everyone, regardless of background.
