If the Halloween fun just isn’t enough and you’re looking to broaden your cultural horizons, consider attending one of the Dia de los Muertos celebrations in the Houston area. 

Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition where families welcome back the souls of their dead loved ones. It’s celebrated from the night of October 31 to November 2 with an array of festivities for both the living and the dead. Families guide their loved ones back with ofrendas, or altars, decorated with candles, marigolds, food, and photos of the deceased. Skull motifs are everywhere, from people wearing skull masks to intricately decorated sugar skills called calaveras. The most prominent depiction of this tradition is La Calavera Catrina, pictured below. 

With such a rich cultural background, it’s no wonder that the holiday would attract interest. Luckily, it didn’t stay in Mexico. This Saturday a Dia de los Muertos festival with a parade is in Sam Houston Park. To attend, people must purchase tickets at Houston Day of the Dead Parade & Festival, Presented by Reliant Tickets, Sat, Nov 2, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Eventbrite. There will be live music, performances, and vendors of delicious food and colorful crafts sure to catch the eye.  

And, for those who can’t make it but don’t want to miss out on the fun, the parade is being streamed live through Eyewitness News. Viewers can find it on platforms like the ABC13 Houston app, Roku, Amazon, Apple TV, and Samsung TV. While Dia de los Muertos isn’t a replacement for Halloween, it has a history and merit all its own.