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

Marking its 23^rd anniversary this year, Longmont’s annual Día de Muertos celebration is the longest standing in the state of Colorado. The exhibition 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 Muertos in Longmont has expanded to become a City-wide event. The Longmont Museum partners with dozens of individuals and community organizations with cultural expertise to create an experience for Día de Muertos that is rooted in respect and authenticity.

In many parts of México, Guatemala and the United States, el Día de 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 demonstrates 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 Muertos Family Celebration will be held on Saturday, October 14, from 11am-3pm, Downtown Longmont at 4^th Avenue and Main Street. The event is free and open to the public.

*The 23rd Annual Longmont Día de Muertos celebration will begin Saturday, October 14 in Longmont, Colorado.* **(Photo: Longmont Museum)**

Like last year, the Day of the Dead Family Celebration will open the season in Downtown Longmont. This street festival will include music and dance performances, art and craft activities, cultural education, delicious food, 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.

Longmont Exhibitions and Events

Día de Muertos Exhibition at the Longmont Museum: Oct. 14–Nov. 5; free, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont, 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 Muertos exhibition returns to the Longmont Museum’s Swan Atrium this fall featuring ofrendas (altars) built by community members and the work of Longmont artists.

Día de Muertos Exhibition at the Firehouse Art Center: Oct. 14 – Nov. 5; free, 667 4^th Ave., Longmont, Wednesday–Sunday, Noon–5 p.m. Catrinas and Mask Auction Exhibit to benefit the Firehouse’s Outreach Education classes. The Firehouse invites local artists to create their representation of La Calavera Catrina, as well as a clay mask making art session for the general public.

Self-guided Downtown Business Altar Tours: Oct. 14–Nov. 5. Downtown Longmont businesses will once again host ofrendas to honor the tradition of the holiday and commemorate those who have passed on. On Saturday, Oct. 14, Downtown Longmont businesses will unveil their ofrenda displays. Maps for self-guided tours of all business altar locations will be available at downtown businesses and at the Longmont Downtown Development Authority office at 320 Main St. Ofrendas will be on display through Sunday, Nov. 5.

Firehouse Art Center’s Catrina Ball, Saturday, October 28, 7 – 10 p.m.; $15 pre-purchase, $20 at the door, Dickens Opera House, 320 Main St., Longmont. 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 the SVVSD Combined Mariachi Band. Tickets at firehouseart.org/catrinaball.

Noche de Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead, Thursday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m.; $18 general admission, $15 students/seniors, $12 Museum members. Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont

Join us for an evening of live performance in the Museum’s Stewart Auditorium in celebration of Día de Muertos that will span the ages, from ancient Aztecan dance to contemporary Chicano Funk. Tickets at longmontmuseum.org.

*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)**

The Longmont Museum also offers authentic website content will prepare families to create their own Día de Muertos celebrations at home. Visit Longmont’s Day of the Dead websites in English or Spanish for thematic content highlighting the origins and traditions that make Day of the Dead a meaningful holiday.

Día de Muertos in Longmont is presented by Elevations Credit Union. A special thanks to the other supporters who make these events possible: the City of Longmont, Visit Longmont, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, NextLight, the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County, the Longmont Community Foundation, the Mexican Cultural Center, the Consulate General of Mexico, the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee, the Boulder County Commissioner’s Diversity Fund, the Boulder County Arts Alliance, and Longmont Sister Cities. For more information visit LongmontDayoftheDead.com.