Brilliantly colored decorations, themed activities, traditional foods, and crafts of Mexico will fill Downtown Highland Park for the 2nd Annual Dia de los Muertos Week, Oct. 25-Nov. 2..
Don’t let the name fool you. Even though it translates as “Day of the Dead,” it is a joyous occasion.
The Highland Park event was inspired by Diana Gran, owner of Diana Gran Portraits, who is a native of Mexico.
“It’s a celebration of life and remembrance and connection,” Gran said. “I really wanted to invite the community and visitors to see the beauty of this tradition across Highland Park. While this tradition is rooted in Mexican heritage, I think it is one of the traditions that is really open to everyone because it honors life and our ancestors. It also brings people together.”
Gran reported that over 20 businesses participated last year, and they are expecting twice as many businesses to be involved this year.
Last year, Gran noted that attendance ranged from small classes of 5-15 people to rooms full of people at the movie theater.
“Businesses this year will become our storytellers,” Gran said. “It will be a more interactive experience. Every location will have something unique — a tasting, a craft, cultural moments that will tie back to the meaning of Dia de los Muertos. It is a wonderful way to discover the story behind each symbol.”
Art, music, food, and hands-on workshops and experiences will happen every day, Gran said. The theater will be showing a film about Dia de los Muertos. There will also be a drum circle and a class in writing letters to your ancestors, among numerous other activities.
The week will begin with a free Community Celebration from 3-5 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Memorial Park Gazebo, 405 Prospect Ave.
The centerpiece of that celebration will be a large-scale ofrenda created by designer Jessica Rivero. An ofrenda is an offering usually created by the family of a member who has died to honor deceased loved ones. Rivero described it as “an important way to connect with the life that we had with them—the time that we spent with them, the things that they loved, the things that they enjoyed while they were living.”
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Rivero emphasized that it is a joyous occasion, not a sad one.
“The ofrenda is an installation that every year we change the theme—the thing that we are honoring,” Rivero said. “For 2025, the theme is related to corn, to the seeds, to the land, honoring the land we come from.”
The actual installation of the ofrenda takes from two-to-three weeks, Rivero noted. But deciding what to put on the ofrenda and locating items can take around three months, including going to Mexico in search of items.
Rivero, along with flower-partner Nicolaz and Son, will also decorate a dozen themed planters at businesses.
There will also be music, as well as arts and crafts projects at the free Community Celebration.
A limited number of Dia de los Muertos Experience Passes for $35 in advance; $45 at the kickoff event, allows access to wine and tequila tastings, pan de Muerto baking, sugar skull decorating, a papel picado workshop, and flower arranging workshops.
The event will conclude with another community event, a Catrina Fashion Show & Contest, 2-4 p.m., Nov. 2. Catrina is the symbol of the Day of the Dead.
The Fashion Show & Contest is open to anyone who wants to showcase a costume, makeup, and a floral headdress. Advance registration is required.
“This tradition has been in my culture and the Mexican culture for my whole life,” Rivero said. “Mostly, it’s just like a celebration. When death comes close to you, that’s when the meaning really gets in your heart.”
“Our community has gone through a lot,” Gran concluded. “This holiday offers the opportunity of healing and connection.”
For more information on Dia de los Muertos in Downtown Highland Park, visit https://linktr.ee/ddmweekhp.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.