TWO (2) DAY FAMILY FESTIVAL
Friday, November 2 | Saturday November 3
6 – 9:30 p.m | 5:30 – 10 p.m.
Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a Latin American holiday celebrated during the chilly days of November 1 & 2. The way the holiday is celebrated now is a mixture of pre-Hispanic traditions along with some merging of Catholic theology, most notably, All Souls & All Saints Day, in which the culture combined as a way to honor their deceased loved ones.
For practitioners, Día de los Muertos is a very happy and festive holiday celebrating the lives of people they love who have passed on. Folklore tells us that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased children are allowed to reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. Beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made in each home, decorated with candles, flowers (marigolds) mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of mole, stacks of tortillas and large pastry’s called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, soft drinks, and hot cocoa for the weary spirits. Toys and candies are left for the angelitos, and on Nov. 2, cigarettes and shots of mezcal are offered to the adult spirits. Little folk art skeletons and sugar skulls, purchased at open-air markets, provide the final touches.
Artes de la Rosa’s Dia de los Muertos Festival has become a hallmark event for the organization attracting press, performers, and patrons from all over North Texas and beyond. The event kicks off with a drum and puppet procession from Marine Park to the Rose Marine Theater Plaza that shuts down North Main Street, diverting traffic as people painted as calavera’s and catarina’s, take to the streets in a high energy ½ mile procession past the historic Rose Marine Theater and into Fort Worth’s Mercado Plaza.
This is where the celebration really gets started! Capturing the spirit of Mexico’s Mercado fiesta’s, our event would not be complete without music, dancing, face painting, food, drinks, and pan de muerto! Artists and crafts people are on hand selling fine and folk art with plenty of booths for children’s activities. While here, why not tour the historic Rose Marine Theater and observe the artwork that lives in the annex and Rose Lobby. The artwork is part of a growing permanent collection at Artes de la Rosa celebrating the vast styles and works of Latino art and artists. While on the subject of art, make your way into the Galeria de la Rosa and observe the fantastic art exhibit on display.
Price
- FREE!
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