These Day of the Dead Celebrations bring Mexican Culture and Values to the forefront in Reno.

Among the many Mexican traditions, Dia de los Muertos, of the Day of the Dead, is the one of the most notable and unique. 

Not to be mistaken for a Mexican version of Halloween, Dia de los Muertos is a time dedicated to the Latino family, a powerful concept that continues even after death. November 1 and 2 are the official dates of this holiday, and it is believed that by lighting candles and placing treats and photos of deceased family members in a visible place, usually an altar, loved ones who have passed on can find their way back home to eat and feel remembered. 

A blend between indigenous Aztec customs and catholic influence, Dia de Los Muertos came to be recognized among Latinos in the US during the 1970s Chicano movement, a signature mark for Mexican American empowerment. To this day, fiestas are held in the spirit of remembrance, with sugar-skull faces and all types of macabre costumes and graphics being embraced. 

In Reno and its surrounding areas, late-October and early-November various communities will hold several events for this special holiday. Read below to learn where you can attend with friends and family!

Sunday October 27

• Day of the Dead Festival, East Pueblo Street, Reno
  • Enjoy an afternoon of music, arts and crafts and food beginning at 11 a.m. Celebrate and commemorate family with a presentation of altars and a ceremony.

• Dia de Los Muertos: A Family-Friendly Concert Celebration, Trinity Episcopal Church, Reno
  • A concert dedicated in part by the Youth Ministry of Trinity, this event promises “spooky music” on a Casavant organ as well as musical artists Mariachi Lobos de Plata. Kids can enjoy treat bags with candy and stickers, children’s books about Dia de Los Muertos, and a special take home art bag that includes materials for a Calavera art project.

Saturday November 2

• Dia de Los Muertos Festival, Heritage Park, Gardnerville
  • All ages are welcome to the 3rd Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival, a collaboration between several community partners including the Carson Valley Arts Council, Douglas County Community Services and Main Street Gardnerville. From 11 to 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy Mariachi music, aztec dance performances, face painting, a presentation of altars, and a 12-foot Catrina doll in part by Latino Arte and Culture of Reno. A variety of food and drink vendors will be available as well.

• Dia de Los Muertos Celebration, Nevada State Museum, Carson City 
  • The museum will be holding free admission all day, offering folk dance performances, a presentation of altars, arts and crafts, face painting and food and drinks. At 5 p.m., enjoy a concert by the Brewery Arts Center. Latino Arte and Raices del Fuego share the meaning of this holiday with a special storytelling.

• Dia de Los Muertos: A Day of the Dead Celebration, West Street Market, Reno
  • Immerse in a night of dance and live performances that begins at 7 p.m., with a special focus on Afro Latin beats and house music. It begins with a celebratory ritual opening circle, and attendees are encouraged to bring photos of family to add to the collective altar. A variety of food and drink options will be available. After 9 p.m., it is a 21 and older event. 

• Celebrating Ancestry: Poetry for the Day of the Dead, Sierra Arts Foundation, Reno
  • The Nevada Humanities holds a celebration as part of Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home. A variety of local poets and speakers discuss topics across the humanities including ancestry and identity, heritage, language and family with a concluding Q&A. Refreshments will be offered. 

Sunday November 3

• Dia de Los Muertos, The Joe Crowley Student Union Ballrooms, University of Nevada, Reno
  • From 2 to 5 p.m., enjoy an on-campus event with a presentation of art, dance, and food. Participate in a variety of activities. Free and open to the public.

Editor’s Note: We will continue to update this article as we learn about 2024 events.

This article was prepared for Noticiero Móvil by Clarissa Vazquez, a bilingual journalism student in her senior year at the University of Nevada, Reno.