Let’s get one thing straight: Day of the Dead is not Halloween’s counterpart. It’s actually a unique and separate welcoming back of those who have passed on, celebrated in Mexico, parts of Latin America, and in communities where Mexican-Americans dwell. Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, brings forth the idea that our loved ones visit us in spirit once a year to dance, play, and comfort family members still living on earth.
Families often build ofrendas to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, which are sacred alters created every year to honor the dead, in their homes and at public festivals. If you take part in the celebration, you’ll also see plenty of calacas (representation of skeletons) and calaveras (which take the form of sugar skulls). All are friendly and peaceful aspects of Day of the Dead celebrations.
If you are Mexican or Mexican-American and looking for ways to commemorate Day of the Dead in Chicago, UrbanMatter has you covered with our guide to celebrating Dia de los Muertos.
Dia de los Muertos Face Painting Activities & Sugar Skulls
Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Painting | $35
Tuesday, October 22, Thursday, October 24, Tuesday, October 29 | 7 – 9 pm @ Cafe Con Leche
BYOB Dine & Paint – Day of the Dead Sugar Skull | $40
Sunday, October 27 | 4 – 7 pm @ Museica’s Art Studio
Dia de Los Muertos: Paint & Sip | $60
Wednesday, October 30 | 7 – 9 pm @ La Tequileria
Arte De Nacional – Día de Muertos | $55
Thursday, October 31 | 6 – 9 pm @ Nacional 27
Free Day of The Dead-themed Face Painting
Saturday, November 2 | 3 – 6 pm @ La Josie
Day of the Dead Sip and Paint | $30
Saturday, November 2 | 6:30 – 9 pm @ Dionne Victoria Studios, INC. (Lower Level of Zhou B Art Center)
Face Mask Painting Day of the Dead – Paint & Sip Party | $25
Saturday, November 2 | 6:30 – 8:30 pm @ Bar 171
Day of the Dead Parties & Bar Crawls
Dia de los Muertos | $55
Thursday, October 31 | 7 pm – 12 am @ Mercadito
Special Dia de los Muertos Cocktails
Friday – Saturday, November 1 – 2 | All Day @ La Josie
Muevelo – Day of the Dead (21+) | No Cover Before 10 pm
Saturday, November 2 | 9 pm – 3 am @ Simone’s
Urban Party: DAY of the DEAD Edition! (21+) | No Cover With Flier, Ticket, or Text
Saturday, November 2 | 10 pm – 3 am @ Prestige
Day of the Dead – Morten (21+) | No Cover Before 11:30 pm
Saturday, November 2 | 10 pm – 4 am @ PRYSM Nightclub
Brew-Ja Crawl (21+) | $25
Saturday, November 2 | 12 – 6 pm @ Pilsen
Dia de los Muertos Festivals & Celebrations
Day of the Dead Xicágo | $15
Sunday, October 27 | 3 – 8 pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art & Harrison Park
¡Fiesta! Day of the Dead (LGBTQ+ Event) | Free
Thursday, October 31 | 6 – 11 pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
Day of the Dead | $5
Friday, November 1 | 4:30 – 11:30 pm @ Hairpin Arts Center
Villarte Recorrido de Ofrendas | Free
Saturday, November 2 | 12 – 5 pm @ 26th Street, Little Village
Dia De Los Muertos | Free
Saturday, November 2 | 1 – 6 pm @ Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza
Día de los Muertos: Love Never Dies Ball | $125
Saturday, November 2 | 6 – 10 pm @ National Museum of Mexican Art
Dia de los Muertos | Free
Sunday, November 3 | 9:30 am – 12:30 pm @ First Lutheran of the Trinity
Dia de los Muertos Physical Activities
Dawn of the Dead Yoga | $18
Saturday, October 26 | 9 – 10 am @ 360 CHICAGO
2019 Day of the Dead 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 | $20
Thursday, October 31 – Saturday, November 30 @ Virtual Runs
Carrera de los Muertos | $55
Saturday, November 2 | 8 am @ Benito Juarez High School
At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.
Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!
Looking for ways to celebrate Halloween this year? We got you covered.