Denver's Civic Center Park will come alive with color, music, tradition, and remembrance this Saturday, October 24, for our annual Día de los Muertos at Civic Center, presented by Denver Botanic Gardens.
This free, family-friendly celebration will feature vibrant community altars and a participatory ofrenda, traditional music and dance, more than 50 food and artisan vendors, lowriders, and a sunset procession honoring loved ones who have passed.
The event offers wonderful photo, video, and storytelling opportunities, particularly the community ofrenda, colorful performances, and 6pm procession.
Civic Center Conservancy, under the vision of Artistic & Cultural Director Alicia “Bruce” Trujillo of Manos Sagrados, is proud to produce Día de los Muertos at Civic Center, presented by Denver Botanic Gardens on . In partnership with Colorful Colorado Collaborations, Kalpulli Calli Tecpatl, and Ritualcravt, the event will bring communities together as a collective to honor the presence of our ancestors and loved ones who have passed, in reverence and celebration.
This unique and memorable celebration of life and transition includes:
- Numerous community altars
- Art installations
- Music and dance
- A “tianguis” marketplace
- Mexican & Latin American food vendors
- Family-friendly activities
- Sunset procession around a central, participatory community ofrenda
Ofrendas
Día de los Muertos at Civic Center’s centerpiece is a large community ofrenda created by Kalpulli Calli Tecpatl and Ritualcravt, and will invite attendees to contribute copies of photos, non-valuable mementos, flowers, notes, and other offerings for their loved ones. Ofrendas, or structured offerings, are a beautiful part of the traditional Día de los Muertos celebration that allows families to honor their loved ones and open the doors to healing, individually and collectively. In addition, approximately five Community Altars created by local nonprofits and families of loved ones lost over the past year will be displayed throughout the Park.
Community altars will honor those who have lost their lives from tragedies such as road traffic incidents, drunk driving, and cancer.
“Celebrating the tradition of Día de los Muertos in the heart of Denver and the metro area has always been meaningfully important to me as a Mexican-American. To be able to carry out a celebration of remembrance of our ancestors and loved ones who have passed, and embrace Death, a notion that is intrinsically a part of Mexican culture, fills my heart with orgullo. The Conservancy recognizes that there are many beautiful and important community-centered celebrations throughout the Denver metro area, and we’re honored to celebrate this event ahead of the traditional weekend around November 2 so all may come together to participate in community,” shared Eric Raya Steinbeiss, the Conservancy’s Director of Community Partnerships + Activations.
Día de los Muertos at Civic Center invites visitors to celebrate through a dozen food and beverage vendors centered on Mexican and Latin cuisine, including:
- Tamales Oaxaquenos
- Gorditas
- Pan de Muerto
- Tres Leches
- Aguas Frescas
- Pumpkin Horchata
- Champurrado
- and much more!
Over 40 artisan retail vendors focused on Mexican and Latin products and goods, and numerous nonprofit and community organizations will provide engagements and resources for visitors.
Some of the products and goods found in our marketplace will include:
- Handmade textiles
- Jewelry
- Ceramics
- Small batch goods
- Clothing and accessories
- Children’s toys
- Many traditional items to include for home altars such as papel picado, sugar skulls, and candle
Event Details
- Civic Center Park | Denver
- Saturday, October 24
- 12pm to 7pm
- FREE to attend
- All ages welcome
- Family friendly
Featured Activities
- A Participatory Community Ofrenda
- Artisan & Craft Marketplace
- Authentic Latin American Food, Beverage, & Desserts
- Family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt
- Themed community altars honoring loved ones
- Low Riders
- Art installations
Note: all offerings are subject to change
Performance Schedule
- All Day | DJ Miggy - DJ and host
- 12:30pm | ArtistiCo Dance
- 2:00pm | Linea Inicial
- 3:30pm | Colorado Youth Mariachi Project to perform
- 5:00pm | Kalpulli Mikakuika
- 6:00pm | Procession led by: Mariachi Alma de Folklorico
Note: all offerings are subject to change
Visitors will celebrate through music at Día de los Muertos at Civic Center throughout the afternoon and into the evening, showcasing a traditional way to honor relatives—living and passed.
“Music connects us to our loved ones in mind and spirit and moves us in ways words cannot. It’s important to me to include a variety of live music and dance for this reason,” says Trujillo.
About Civic Center Conservancy
Civic Center Conservancy is an independent nonprofit dedicated to keeping Denver’s Civic Center Park active and thriving for all. The Conservancy attracts people to the Park, supports the Park’s upkeep, and ensures it meets the needs of anyone who gathers there for today and for the future. Learn more about our work, support our mission and explore our calendar of events at www.civiccenterpark.org.
Connect with Civic Center Park on Facebook and Instagram.
About Manos Sagrados
Manos Sagrados is a boutique booking, event production, and artist management house, with a focus on marginalized creatives. Specializing in music, art and movement practices, Manos Sagrados collaborates with creatives to bring their work to a broader audience, and with organizations to support local talent.
About Colorful Colorado Collaborations
Colorful Colorado Collaborations is a unique event production business that celebrates BIPOC artists, musicians and businesses through collaboration, creativity and commerce. Our organization is dedicated to curating a range of vendors who showcase the cultural roots of Dia de los Muertos so attendees can accessibly and fully engage in this celebration of life and honor our ancestors.
Día de los Muertos at Civic Center is presented by Denver Botanic Gardens, with generous support from Colorado Health Foundation, Xcel Energy, and Maremoto. Denver7 is the event's Exclusive Local Television Media Partner. Community Altar Sponsors include CALC, Centennial Realty Group, Colorado Avalanche, Councilman Paul Kashmann, and Harris Family Law.
