Longmont Hosts 26th Anniversary of Colorado’s Longest-Running Day of the Dead Celebration  - City of Longmont
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Longmont Hosts 26th Anniversary of Colorado’s Longest-Running Day of the Dead Celebration 

A group of people with their face painted walking with flowers

Marking its 26th anniversary this year, Longmont’s annual Día de Muertos celebration is the longest running in the state of Colorado. The City of Longmont partners with dozens of individuals and community organizations with cultural expertise to create an experience for Día de Muertos that is rooted in respect and authenticity.

 

In many parts of Mexico, Guatemala and the United States, Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a time to honor and celebrate deceased loved ones. Community participation is essential to this holiday that is full of life, reflection, food, family and fun. The celebration shows how a diverse community can come together to share a common desire – to honor our ancestors and keep their memories alive.

 

Day of the Dead Family Celebration

Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; free
Downtown Longmont at 4th Avenue and Kimbark Street

This year’s Day of the Dead Family Celebration will return to Downtown Longmont with the outdoor street festival that has become a Longmont tradition. This celebration of culture, heritage, life and love will feature traditional live music and dance, face painting, sugar skull decorating, crafts, food trucks, a kids’ play zone, local vendors, a Gigantes Procession and more!

 

Other Longmont Día de Muertos Events

Día de Muertos Exhibition at the Firehouse Art Center
Oct. 10 – Nov. 2; free
667 4th Ave., Longmont
Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
This Día de Muertos exhibition at the Firehouse Art Center brings together two complementary exhibitions celebrating Mexican culture, community and the power of art. In the Main Gallery, artists collaborate with immigrants and others affected by immigration policies to transform personal stories into artwork exploring home, belonging, fear and freedom, while the South Gallery features local artists’ interpretations of La Calavera Catrina, the iconic Day of the Dead figure. Together, the exhibitions invite reflection, dialogue and connection around themes of identity, tradition, resilience and community.

 

Noche de Museo: Celebrating Day of the Dead
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
$23general admission, $20 Museum members
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Rd., Longmont
An evening of live performances in celebration of Día de Muertos that will span the ages, from ancient Aztecan dance with Grupo Mexica Tlahuitzcalli to the genre-bending rock and roll of iZCALLi. This annual community celebration of a centuries-old Mexican tradition has quickly become part of the cultural fabric of Longmont. Buy tickets online or by calling 303-651-8374.

 

Digital Día de Muertos
LongmontDayoftheDead.com (English)
LongmontDiadeMuertos.com (Español)

Families can use these resources to create their own Día de Muertos celebrations at home. Visit Longmont’s Day of the Dead websites in English or Spanish for thematic content highlighting the origins and traditions that make Day of the Dead a meaningful holiday. Topics include history, how to build an altar, music, arts and crafts, and food and drinks.

 

A special thanks to the supporters who make these events possible: the Longmont Museum, Visit Longmont, the Longmont Downtown Development Authority, the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee, Longmont Sister Cities, the Bob Braudes and Nancy Clairmont Family Fund, Front Range Community College, Skazma, and Kendall Bullock Doula Services.

 

Media contact:

Joan Harrold, 970-380-4943