CALS, DLRP, Mexican Consulate to host Day of the Dead celebration Nov. 1

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 1, 2022) – Downtown Little Rock will see its second official Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) celebration Tuesday, Nov. 1. 

The celebration – hosted by the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, Central Arkansas Library System, and Mexican Consulate of Little Rock – will be held in the form of an Alley Party from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Ron Robinson’s Alley.

The event will feature authentic Mexican food, drinks, music, and traditional Day of the Dead customs and paraphernalia.

As is the hallmark of Day of the Dead celebrations, the event will feature a handmade, seven-layer-tall altar (ofrenda) to honor the souls of loved ones who have passed before us. The public is invited to bring photos of their loved ones and/or an altar offering in their loved one’s honor.

“Dia de Muertos is not a day of mourning; it is a joyful celebration, a way to pay tribute to our deceased loved ones,” Maria de Monservat Aguilar, Latinx Community Liaison for the Central Arkansas Library System, said. “We invite attendees to come see the elaborate altar that will be displayed at the event, and to lay traditional offerings.”

Day of the Dead is not just a day to commemorate the deceased, but also a time to show gratitude for living loved ones. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has proclaimed Day of the Dead to be an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The holiday, also known as All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day, traditionally takes place after Halloween annually on Nov. 1 and 2.

“We look forward to seeing families and friends come together for a joyous evening of Mexican tradition celebrating all the souls who have had an impact on our lives,” Aguilar said.

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