Planning a Dia De Los Muertos Event

Dia De Los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a meaningful Mexican holiday. If you are planning a Dia De Los Muertos event you need to learn about it’s origin. It is not about scary movies or collecting candy (although who doesn’t love candy?), but rather a time to honor and remember deceased loved ones.

This celebration is now finding its way into popular culture outside of Mexico. It’s gaining popularity in the States as people recognize its rich traditions and artistic expressions. So next time you see some beautifully painted sugar skulls or vibrant parades celebrating life and death around November 1st and 2nd – don’t mistake it for Halloween. 

So take this opportunity to figure out another culture’s unique way of remembering their loved ones and creative ways to celebrate!

Dia De Los Muertos Meaning

Dia De Los Muertos is a lively and colorful celebration that brings families and communities together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away.

On November 1st and 2nd, Mexicans embrace this joyful holiday by heading to cemeteries with offerings in hand.! They go all out with bright yellow marigold flowers, the favorite foods, sugar skulls (yes, you heard that right), drinks of the one being honored, photos of the departed, and even the favorite belongings of the departed souls.

Dia De Los Muertos festivity is a time when death is celebrated rather than feared. It is a beautiful reminder that our loved ones may be gone physically but their spirits still live on through memories and traditions.

So next time you think about Dia De Los Muertos, don’t picture a solemn affair. Imagine a party where laughter mixes with tears as families come together to honor their ancestors in the most colorful way possible. And hey, who knows? Maybe one day we will all celebrate our own Dia De Los Muertos with funky decorations and tasty treats!

Dia De Los Muertos Event Ideas

So how do you plan a Dia De Los Muertos event?

Here are ideas that can help to make sure that this occasion not only reflects your own style but also respects the culture and all who celebrate.

Sugar Skull Make Up Artist

First, let’s talk about that iconic sugar skull makeup. Don’t stress if you’re not a makeup pro! As a host, just hire a talented makeup artist who can set up a station and transform your face into a work of art. They can provide a few distinct designs for guests to choose from. Remember that an artist can average around 10 minutes per person, so make sure to hire the right amount of artists for your guest count. 

Flower Crown Station

Setting up a flower crown station will not only complete the sugar skull look, but it’s something fun for your guests to do! Here are a few items we recommend to include:

• Assortment of Silk flowers
• Black lace 
• Ribbon 
• Headbands (you can buy in bulk on Amazon) 
• Low-temperature hot glue guns
• Extension cords

Photo Station

Having a photo station at an event is always a good idea, especially if guests are dressing up. For this specific photo op, we suggest hiring a portrait photographer to really capture the details and beauty of the traditional sugar skull makeup. You can get creative with staging backdrops like a cemetery or flower shop! Another tip is to be mindful of where to place the activation within your event. A portrait photographer usually brings lightning equipment which requires a larger footprint.  

Decoration

Marigold flowers are an absolute must when planning a Dia De Los Muertos event! They are beautiful and hold special significance in these celebrations. The fragrant orange and yellow flowers are thought to lead souls from their last resting place to their family homes. The bright colors also contribute to the holiday’s joyful tone, which, while being associated with death, is not solemn but festive.

Decorating with colorful papel picado can also add that extra festive touch. This traditional art comprises cutouts tied together with twine to make colorful banners that are used to decorate celebrations and festivals. Colorful papel picado is frequently featured on Da de los Muertos altars to signify the element of wind as well as the combination of life and death. Since papel picado is so light, it alerts families that their loved ones have come when it moves on Day of the Dead.

Candles, candles everywhere! They are used in the frendas in the form of a cross. Four large candles are lit to represent the four cardinal points. Other candles are spread over the altar, providing a lighted path so that the deceased can back to their loved ones, who await them at the ofrenda

Dia De Los Muertos Music

And what’s a celebration without music? Hire a mariachi band to add that extra touch of authenticity and joy to your Dia De Los Muertos festivities. If budget is a concern, search Spotify for authentic playlists. Traditionally, families will create playlists made up of their deceased favorite songs.  

What to eat?

Let’s add some sweetness to your Dia De Los Muertos celebration! Pan de muertos (yes, bread of the dead!) is a sweetbread, topped with an orange sugar glaze. This is a must-have for your ofrenda or Day of the Dead feast. If you live near a Mexican bakery, they are sure to have it during the months of October and November. If not, here is an easy to follow recipe from Mexican in my kitchen 

Dia De Los Muertos Featured Cocktail

Since every event needs a featured cocktail, we recommend the Pineapple Mezcal Sour. Mezcal is a traditional drink in Mexico with a lot of history. The fresh and earthy aromas of Oaxaca’s mezcal, blended with the naturally sweet pineapple juice makes this a YES for most pallets. Try this recipe!

• 1.5 ounces of mezcal
• 2 ounces of fresh pineapple juice
• ½ tablespoon of agave syrup
• 1 ounce lime juice
• 1 cup of ice
• Aromatic bitters
• Garnish: edible flower

Tip: If you’re planning an intimate event with a smaller guest count, you can add egg whites to the recipe to give the cocktail more body. Cocktails with egg whites do take more time to prepare and can not be premade for quick batching. 

So there you have it – some fabulous ideas for planning a Dia De Los Muertos event this year. This festivity is all about remembering and commemorating our departed loved ones. This is celebrated through food, drink, costume, and music. So be ready to honor the dead with the fun, love, and plenty of sugar skull selfies!