Distinct from Halloween, honor the sacred Mexican holiday of Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, at these citywide events until Friday, November 4.
With festivities that often span from October 27 to November 6 , Día de Muertos , or Day of the Dead — which shore on Wednesday , November 2 this year — is a Mexican holiday honoring the phantasmal hereafter of those who have physically passed .
Tracing its origins back grand of geezerhood to the Indigenous cultures of the Aztec and Mexica peoples of Mexico , this sacred observance is root in pleasure and includes a particular emphasis on the importance of fellowship . decided from the spooky and obsess themes of Halloween , Day of the Dead also revolves around the notion of the heavens opening up to allow deceased loved ones to chaffer the land of the living once a year .
Now celebrated across Latin America and in pockets around the world , traditional practices admit welcoming back spirits by placing photos , cd , marigolds , food , imbibe , and more at ofrendas and tombstones . In addition , the holiday is also honored in many major cities ( like Mexico City , Los Angeles , and San Antonio ) through revelous upshot like parade , artistic exhibitions , party , and street fairs .
La Catrina sculpture from Mexico Week: Día De Muertos at Rockefeller Center 2021|Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Center
reckon how our city is proudly home to a thrivingLatinocommunity , there are pot of ways to enjoy this year ’s holiday across the borough . From vacation - themed cruises along the Hudson to telling liberal arts programming host by Rockefeller Center , here are fun ways to fete Day of the Dead in NYC this year .
Watch an Indigenous Aztec dance troupe at a renowned museum
Saturday , October 29 , 12 pm–2 pm and 3 pm–5 pmFiDiSince 1994 , the Smithsonian’sNational Museum of the American Indianhas been a hub for the history and deeper understanding of Indigenous peoples from the early times to present day . This twelvemonth , the museum honors the Indigenous peoples of Mexico and Day of the Dead with a special execution around the museum ’s residential area altar by the Aztec dance troupe , Cetiliztli Nauhcampa . After the functioning , visitors can check out ongoing exhibits likeNative New York , which explores the First Peoples of our region and provides an ideal imagination for learning ’s autochthonal culture . monetary value : Free for entry
Help build a massive ofrenda and catch live performances
Saturday , October 29 to Wednesday , November 2Sunset ParkSpearheaded by the accessible art production space ofArtBuilt , which house the creative workshops of more than 100 local artists and small byplay , channelize over to theBrooklyn Army Terminalin Sunset Park for five days of community - based Day of the Dead programming . First up , on Saturday , October 29 , join the squad and other New Yorkers in constructing a monumental ofrenda with tissue paper marigolds and photo frames . Then , through Wednesday , November 2 , drop by for alive execution include aJaguar DancewithTecuanes San Rafaeland traditional mariachi music by the Chihuahua - basedMariachis Nuevo Sol . Cost : detached to take part
Enjoy the 2nd anniversary of Rockefeller Center’s Mexico Week
Through Friday , November 4MidtownFor the 2nd year — and in coaction with The Consulate General of Mexico in New York City , theMexican Cultural Institute , Museo de Arte Moderno , and more — Rockefeller Center host a month - long celebration honoring Mexico ’s culture and heritage . At Mexico Week : Día De Muertos at Rockefeller Center , check out an opulent ofrenda ; jaguar and skeleton sculpture by Mexican artistCesar Menchaca ; and a posthumous art exhibit dedicated to the Mexican printmakerJosé Guadalupe Posada . to boot , run until Wednesday , November 2 , peruse an clear - air mart featuring hand-crafted goods , tequila drinks , and intellectual nourishment vender run by local business likeLa ContentaandLa Newyorkina . price : Free for entry
Take a two-hour, holiday-themed cruise along the Hudson River
Tuesday , November 1 , 6:30 pm–9:30 pmPier 81Hop aboard the tri - unwavering , floating restaurant / bar ofLa Barca Cantinafor an evening of offshore revelry at their first ever Day of the all in upshot . With the leverage of a tag , guests will embark on a two - hour sail along the Hudson River that admit hot DJ sets , traditional Mexican terpsichore performances , and art marketer including the local pet ofLa Sirena . Food- and drink - wise , the menu will feature strong point Day of the Dead - theme cocktails and Mexican - inspired insect bite . Cost : Ticketsfrom $ 25
Enjoy a museum day in Queens with community-filled festivities
Saturday , October 29 , 12 pm–4:30 pmFlushing Meadows Corona ParkLocated within Flushing Meadows Corona Park , the 50 - year - oldQueens Museumis home to one of the Big Apple ’s most democratic museum spectacles : Panorama of the City of New York . After check it out , stop by for aDia de Los Muertos Celebrationin partnership with theLa Jornada and Queen Museum Cultural Food Pantryand theEcuadorian Film Festival in New York . The event provides guests with exclusive film screenings , musical and terpsichore performances , artmaking activities , and a opportunity to contribute to the ofrenda . Highlights admit a poesy read by POÉTICAS — a poesy collective compose of creatives from Mexico , Ecuador , and Peru — as well as a mariachi show from Nuevo Amanecer . price : Free for entry
Attend workshops and learn about Indigenous peoples at an ancestral festival
Sunday , October 30 , 1 pm–6 pmBed - StuyAt the Day of The Dead - Indigenous Ancestral Festival in Brooklyn , the charge is to promote respectful tourism , community of interests outgrowth , and emerging entrepreneurship in New York City and across the world . pass by local enterprisingness including the contribution - run artist radical ofCollective Focus , here , community fellow member gather for a welcoming and inclusive day of educational workshops , prescribed socializing , good grub , dancing , and melodious production . monetary value : Free for entry
Decorate a sugar skull and try your hand at printmaking
Wednesday , November 2 , 12 pm–4 pmFlatironFrom the neighborhood - enhancement organization ofFlatiron NoMad Partnershipcomes the first ever Día de Muertos Celebration at Flatiron Plaza . At the afternoon festivity , watch a dance performance by theClapulli Mexican Dance Companyand also participate in hand - on activity like decorating simoleons skulls , printmaking , and taking a selfie with a delineation of La Catrina — the afterlife icon of Day of the Dead produce by artistJosé Guadalupe Posada — good manners of the Fotografiska museum . Also , node can bestow flowers , bread , and fruit to the on - situation residential district communion table . toll : Free for entry
Sip cocktails at a Day of the Dead-themed immersive pop-up bar
Through Wednesday , November 2NolitaEvery year , the popular hot spot , The Garret Coctelería , transforms itself into an telling vacation - themed immersive experience foretell Coctelería de los Muertos . Within the pop - up , ask an inside feature intricate altar and hang strings of marigolds along with speciality offering like libation such as Barry Marigold ( tequila , Daucus carota sativa juice , agave ) . lulu by chefYuval Ochao(Borrachito Taqueria & Spirits ) include Pork Belly with Black Mole and Pan de Muertos and on Tuesday , November 1 , and Wednesday , November 2 , pull up to the colorful bar for revelrous political party and late - night DJ sets . Reservationsare encourage . Cost : Free for ledger entry
Cetiliztli Nauhcampa performance at National Museum of the American Indian|Photo by 5th Avenue Digital for Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
Day of the Dead at the Brooklyn Army Terminal|Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Army Terminal
La Catrina sculpture from Mexico Week: Día De Muertos at Rockefeller Center 2021|Photo courtesy of Rockefeller Center
Black Marigold Margarita at La Barca Cantina|Photo courtesy of La Barca Cantina
Ofrenda at Queens Museum|Photo courtesy of Queens Museum
Flatiron Plaza|Photo courtesy of Flatiron NoMad Partnership
Cocktails at Coctelería de los Muertos|Photo courtesy of The Garret Coctelería
