Celebrate the vibrant iconography and culture of Dia de los Muertos
Explore the rich history, iconic symbols, and heartfelt traditions of the Day of the Dead.
- South Bend and Elkhart County are hosting community events to celebrate the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos.
- Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a tradition to remember and honor deceased loved ones.
- Celebrations in South Bend include ofrenda displays, a family festival, and a free community concert on Nov. 1-2.
- The Elkhart County Historical Museum will feature a community ofrenda and a family celebration from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
Music, food and art honoring Mexican culture will abound during Día de los Muertos celebrations in South Bend and Elkhart County, open to community members of all backgrounds and ages.
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, takes place Nov. 1-2 and is a traditional Mexican holiday. Families remember and honor the lives of loved ones who have died, welcoming back the souls of their deceased relatives with food, ofrendas, music and flowers.
South Bend is hosting its fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration Nov. 1-2, and the Elkhart County Historical Museum will offer family programming celebrating the holiday from Oct. 28 through Nov. 1.
Here’s where to take part in the festivities this year.
South Bend Día de los Muertos celebration
The fourth annual celebration in South Bend is a joint partnership among the Equity and Arts Program of Venues Parks & Arts, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, La Casa de Amistad and the South Bend Community School Corp. Events and festivities will take place throughout the city Nov. 1-2.
Marvin Curtis, one of the event coordinators, said it’s a “celebration of music and culture” open to all.
Ofrenda displays
During the last week of October, local artists will help the community create ofrendas around the city. Traditionally, families place a deceased loved one’s favorite foods and other mementos on an ofrenda, or altar, for them to enjoy while visiting on Día de los Muertos.
Each ofrenda around South Bend will have a different theme, and community members are welcome to help construct them. The artists leading these projects are Meli Bandera, Brenda Elizabeth Machuca, Federico Rodriguez, Angelica Frausto and Marlen Oritz.
These ofrendas will be located at:
St. Adalbert Catholic Church family festival
The Saints Adalbert and Casimir Parish will host a community festival and procession on Nov. 1.
At 11 a.m., a community procession will begin at St. Adalbert Catholic Church, 2505 W. Grace St., and end at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 1302 W. Dunham St. A family festival with food, games and entertainment will run from noon to 5 p.m.
Community music celebration
At 2 p.m. Nov. 2, the University of Notre Dame Mariachi Band will perform in the Jon Hunt Plaza, in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center, 211 N. Michigan St.
At 3 p.m., the South Bend Symphony Orchestra will present a concert inspired by Mexican and Latin American heritage, featuring collaborative performances with Westwater Arts’ Symphonic Photochoreography. The concert will include the dance ensemble Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano and guest artists Sones de Mexico, a folk music ensemble specializing in the Mexican musical tradition of “son.”
The stage will be decorated with masks created by students at SBCSC’s Edison K-8 School, as they explore the meaning behind Día de los Muertos throughout October. Curtis said artist Bianca Jimenez, who designed the celebration’s logo and T-shirts, will also be at the concert for a signing event.
Admission to the concert is free, but reservations are encouraged at the Morris’ website. Ticket vouchers are also available at La Casa de Amistad, all branches of the St. Joseph County Public Library and South Bend community centers.
When asked about security measures at the Día de los Muertos events, City of South Bend spokesperson Allison Zeithammer said, “The City is committed to delivering a safe and welcoming community for everyone. All events hosted by the City, including shows and events at the Morris Performing Arts Center, have safety and security measures in place to provide a safe, enjoyable experience for patrons and employees.”
Elkhart County Historical Museum celebration
The Elkhart County Historical Museum, 304 W. Vistula St. in Bristol, is hosting its second annual Día de los Muertos family programming from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1.
Community ofrenda display
Throughout the celebration, the museum will host a community ofrenda where the public can leave offerings and remembrances for deceased loved ones.
According to a press release, visitors may leave items like photos, enclosed non-perishable food and drink, small trinkets or toys, and battery-operated candles for the ofrenda; items can be picked up from the museum the following week. Alcohol, tobacco products, weapons and valuables are not permitted.
Family celebration
From 1-4 p.m. Nov. 1, the museum will host a Día de los Muertos Family Celebration, a free event open to all ages. The celebration will include music, dancing, arts and craft activities, food, and more.
At 1:30 p.m., Tierra Viva, a Mexican folkloric dance group, will perform, followed by songs performed by mariachi band Mariachi ECo.
The event features free face painting, traditional Día de los Muertos treats, food from Deysi’s Tacos food truck, the museum’s community ofrenda and a special ofrenda constructed by local Cub Scout Pack 797.
Email South Bend Tribune staff reporter Rayleigh Deaton at rdeaton@gannett.com.