Longmont Hosts Colorado’s Longest-Running Day of the Dead Celebration

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Marking its 24^th anniversary this year, Longmont’s annual Día de Muertos celebration is the longest running in the state of Colorado. The exhibit at the Longmont Museum and Family Celebration in Downtown Longmont alone attract more than 6,000 people from across the region each year. Día de 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 Muertos that is rooted in respect and authenticity. 

In many parts of Mexico, 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 shows how a diverse community can come together to share a common desire – to honor our ancestors and keep their memories alive. 

DAY OF THE DEAD FAMILY CELEBRATION 

Saturday, Oct. 12, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free
Downtown Longmont at 4^th Avenue and Main Street
The Day of the Dead Family Celebration will open the Día de Muertos season in Downtown Longmont. 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.   

EXHIBITIONS 

Día de 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 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.  

Día de Muertos Exhibitions at the Firehouse Art Center
Oct. 12 – Nov. 3; free
667 4^th 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. 

OTHER LONGMONT DÍA DE MUERTOS EVENTS 

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 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. 

DIGITAL DÍA DE MUERTOS
LongmontDayoftheDead.com?(English)
LongmontDiadeMuertos.com?(Español) 

Authentic website content will prepare families to create their own Di?a 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. Topics include history, how to build an altar, music, arts and crafts, and food and drinks. 

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.

About the Museum
The Longmont Museum is a center for culture in Northern Colorado where people of all ages explore history, experience art and discover new ideas through dynamic programs, exhibitions and events. Learn more at www.longmontmuseum.org. 

About the Firehouse Art Center
Founded in 1986 the mission of the Firehouse Art Center is to inspire cultural awareness and human connection by providing life enhancing experiences through art appreciation, education and self-expression. Learn more at?www.firehouseart.org.