OGDEN — Día de los Muertos isn’t even here yet, but events marking the day have already started, with many more coming.
Day of the Dead, as it’s known in English, is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, according to the San Francisco, California-based Mexican Museum, and it’s commonly celebrated in Mexico. Events to mark Día de los Muertos are increasingly common in the United States as well, though, and various events will be taking place across Utah.
Dia de los Muertos “commemorates the transitory return to Earth of deceased relatives and loved ones,” reads a UNESCO description. “Families facilitate the return of the souls to Earth by laying flower petals, candles and offerings along the path leading from the cemetery to their homes.”
It has its roots in the indigenous communities of Mexico and one of the key activities is the creation of home altars, or ofrendas, featuring photos of dead loved ones, yellow marigolds, candles and food and drink offerings. La Catrina, a female skeleton wearing colorful and elaborate garb, is one of the most common representations of Día de Los Muertos and some make up their faces on the occasion in her likeness.
Some Día de los Muertos events have come and gone. Here are some of the activities coming up, variously featuring music, food, community altars and more:
- Ogden’s Cultura and Craft and Union Station are hosting an event at Union Station in Ogden, 2501 Wall Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1-7 p.m.
- The Salt Lake County Library system is hosting events at varied branches, including community ofrendas, from Friday, Oct. 25 through Nov. 2.
- Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City will be displaying an ofrenda from Saturday, Oct. 26 through Nov. 4.
- The city of Millcreek will host a range of activities from Sunday, Oct. 27 through Nov. 2 at Millcreek Common Plaza, 1354 E. Chambers Ave., and the Grandview in the adjacent City Hall building. A community ofrenda goes up on Sunday, to be on view through Nov. 2, and the public is welcome to place photos on it. The main celebration, including a La Catrina parade, is Nov. 2 from 6-9 p.m.
- Myers Mortuary and Oaxaca en Utah are hosting an event on Nov. 1 from 5-9 p.m. at the Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery, 100 N. Monroe Blvd. in Ogden.
- Leavitt’s Mortuary is hosting an event on Nov. 1 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Aultorest Memorial Park, 836 36th St. in Ogden.
- The Southern Utah Museum of Art, 13 S. 300 West in Cedar City on the Southern Utah University campus, is hosting an event on Nov. 2 from noon-6 p.m. with folkloric dancing, mariachi music, a community ofrenda and more. An ofrenda is already on display.
- The Utah Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 W. 3100 South in West Valley City, is hosting an event on Nov. 2 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Centro Hispano, partnering with a range of organizations, is hosting an event at Orem Public Library, 58 N. State, on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
