Cleveland’s Día de Muertos Festival Returns for 21st Year
Cleveland’s beloved Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival is back for its 21st annual celebration on Saturday, November 1. This vibrant event transforms the Gordon Square neighborhood into a space of joyful remembrance, honoring loved ones who have passed with music, art, food, and centuries-old traditions.
A Celebration of Life and Memory
Despite its name, Día de Muertos is far from somber. Rooted in Aztec and other Indigenous traditions, this centuries-old celebration joyfully emphasizes love, memory, and the continuous cycle of life and death. It’s a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate the lives of those who are no longer with us.
The free, family-friendly festival runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at the grounds of Cleveland Public Theatre, located at 6205 Detroit Ave. in the Gordon Square Arts District. It’s organized collaboratively by Cleveland Public Theatre, Teatro Público de Cleveland, and Día de Muertos Ohio.
The Heart of the Festival: Ofrendas
At the core of the Día de Muertos celebration are the “ofrendas,” or handmade altars. Each year, eight families or artists are chosen to create these intricate, vibrant memorials. Adorned with marigolds, candles, traditional foods, photos, and symbolic objects, each ofrenda tells a unique story of the departed.
Artistic Director Hector Castellanos Lara, who founded Cleveland’s celebration 21 years ago, emphasizes the evolving nature of the altars. “Every year we invite new artists to build the altars,” he explains, ensuring a fresh vision and bringing together diverse ethnic groups and traditions. These altars serve a crucial purpose: “It’s about telling the stories of our ancestors to the children. That’s how we keep tradition alive. They learn about their relatives, their roots and even their language. This is how we connect generations.”
Cleveland’s own Burlesque Queen Bella Sin also creates significant ofrendas. For Sin, who moved from Mexico, building these altars is deeply personal and artistic. Her multi-level altars represent the journeys souls take to the underworld and often include a “xolo” (dog), believed to guide spirits. This year, her altar will feature her U.S. citizenship certificate, a personal message to her late mother.
Music, Dance, and Special Guests
This year’s festival features a rich program of live music and dance performances, including Duetto Maravilla, Patricia Bussert, and the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center Danza Group. Antonio Parente, a local young man, will serve as Grand Marshal, while Bella Sin will embody La Catrina, the elegant skeleton figure symbolizing death as the great equalizer.
The Lively Skeleton Procession
A highlight of the festival is the mid-afternoon Skeleton Procession, a parade winding from Cleveland Public Theatre to a nearby funeral home. This popular event, which closes streets from 3 to 5 p.m., is a communal experience. Bella Sin clarifies, “It’s not Mexican Halloween. We wear skull makeup, so the dead don’t take us when they walk among us.” She encourages everyone to participate: “You’re not committing cultural appropriation — it’s cultural sharing.” The parade includes community groups, artists, and Teatro Público de Cleveland.
Día de Muertos vs. Halloween: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Día de Muertos | Halloween (Typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Joyful remembrance, honor ancestors | Spooky fun, costumes, candy |
| Cultural Root | Aztec and Indigenous traditions | Celtic, Christian (All Hallow’s Eve) |
| Tone | Celebratory, reverent, loving | Frightening, mischievous |
| Interaction with Deceased | Welcome spirits home to visit | Ward off evil spirits |
Taste and Tradition
Food is an integral part of the celebration. Festivalgoers can savor traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, mole, posole, atole, and Mexican hot chocolate from various food trucks and nearby restaurants. You can also pick up “pan de muerto” from La Plaza Supermarket nearby. As Sin puts it, “Food is a huge part of it. It’s how we nurture our souls — and the souls of those we love.”
Reflecting the festival’s theme of inclusion, programming has expanded to feature poetry readings and performances from diverse ethnic communities. Castellanos Lara notes, “I like to share what I know about my traditions, but I also want to hear about others’. That’s how we learn to understand and respect each other’s beliefs.”
FAQs About the Festival
- When is Cleveland’s Día de Muertos Festival?
The festival takes place on Saturday, November 1, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Where is the festival located?
It’s held on the grounds of Cleveland Public Theatre at 6205 Detroit Ave in Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District. - Is there an admission fee?
No, the festival is free and family-friendly. - What are “ofrendas”?
Ofrendas are intricate, handmade altars built to welcome returning souls, adorned with items like marigolds, candles, food, and photos. - Can attendees participate in the Skeleton Procession?
Yes, everyone is encouraged to dress up in skull makeup and participate in the parade, which is considered cultural sharing.
With an estimated 2,000 attendees last year, Cleveland’s Día de Muertos festival continues to be a profound expression of cultural heritage, reminding us that death is not finite, but a part of life where loved ones are always remembered.
Cleveland’s Día de Muertos Festival Returns
