• February 8th, 2025
  • Saturday, 06:48:13 PM

Longmont Hosts Colorado’s Longest-Running Día de los Muertos Celebration


The 24th Annual Longmont Día de los Muertos celebration will begin Saturday, October 12 in Longmont, Colorado. (Photo: Longmont Museum)

 

Posted Oct. 10, 2024

 

Marking its 24th anniversary this year, Longmont’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration is the longest running in the state of Colorado. The exhibit at the Longmont Museum and Family Celebration in Downtown Longmont alone attracts more than 6,000 people from across the region each year. Día de los Muertos in Longmont has expanded to become a citywide event. The Longmont Museum partners with dozens of individuals and community organizations with cultural expertise to create an experience for Día de los Muertos that is rooted in respect and authenticity.

The annual Firehouse Art Center Gigantes Procession is part of the Día de Muertos Family Celebration, with a parade through the streets and alleys of Downtown Longmont starting on 4th Avenue. (Photo: Longmont Museum)

In many parts of México, Guatemala and the United States, Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a time to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones. Community participation is essential to this holiday that is full of life, reflection, food, family and fun. The celebration shows how a diverse community can come together to share a common desire – to honor our ancestors and keep their memories alive.

 

The event Día de los Muertos Family Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 12, from 11am-3pm, Downtown Longmont at 4th Avenue and Main Street. The event is free and open to the public. This street festival will include music and dance performances, art and craft activities, cultural education, food trucks, downtown business altars and the Firehouse Art Center’s Gigantes Procession. Park downtown or take the free shuttle from the Longmont Museum to enjoy all the activities of the day, including the exhibition of community altars at the Museum. Interested in volunteering for this event? Email Courtney Pletcher. 

 

 

EXHIBITIONS

Día de los Muertos Exhibition at the Longmont Museum
Oct. 12–Nov. 5; free

400 Quail Rd., Longmont

Hours: Monday–Saturday 9 a.m. –5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. –5 p.m., additional evening hours Thursday 5–9 p.m.
The Día de los Muertos exhibition returns to the Longmont Museum’s Swan Atrium this fall featuring ofrendas (altars) built by community members and the work of local artists. Find more information on the Longmont Museum’s website.

 

Día de los Muertos Exhibitions at the Firehouse Art Center
Oct. 12 – Nov. 3; free

667 4th Ave., Longmont
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday Noon–5 p.m.
In their Main and South Galleries, the Firehouse Art Center invites local artists to create their representation of La Calavera Catrina with “Catrinas on Parade.” Originally created by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, La Calavera Catrina is the icon of Día de Muertos, typically shown as a smiling female skeleton in dressed in fancy clothing. Also on view, explore “alebrijes” created by the children at Casa de la Esperanza; these colorful creatures decorate the Main and South Galleries hidden in plain sight. The exhibitions also include a series of documentary shorts by Jamie Chihuan. Find more information on the Firehouse Art Center website

 

Firehouse Art Center’s Catrina Ball
Saturday, Oct. 19, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m.; free
Outdoors in the alleyway between 3rd and 4th and Main and Coffman (behind Maker General)
Honor your loved ones with song, laughter, dancing and revelry in Downtown Longmont! Come dressed as a Catrina or Catrin, or get your face painted at the event and get ready to dance, dance, dance! Performances by Nahucalli Mexican Folkloric Dance Troupe and Nueva Luna Ballet Folklorico.

 

Noche de Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead

Saturday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.;
$18 general admission, $15 Museum members
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
An evening of live performance in celebration of Día de los Muertos that will span the ages, from ancient Aztecan dance to the genre-bending rock and roll of iZCALLi. This annual community celebration of a centuries-old Mexican tradition has quickly become part of the cultural fabric of Longmont! Co-presented with the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee. Tickets at longmontmuseum.org.

 

Longmont’s annual Día de Muertos celebration features a wide array of art, food and entertainment. / La celebración anual del Día de Muertos en Longmont ofrece una amplia variedad de arte, comida y entretenimiento. (Photo: Longmont Museum)

A special thanks to the supporters who make these events possible: the City of Longmont, Visit Longmont, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, NextLight, the Mexican Cultural Center, the Consulate General of Mexico, the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee, the Boulder County Commissioner’s Diversity Fund and Longmont Sister Cities.