Local Tejana singer Keana Huerta shines in her Dia de Los Muertos costume from last year's celebration. She will perform Saturday, November 2, at approximately 2:00 pm, followed by Baile Encanto. Dia de Los Muertos Silver City -- Saturday, November 2, marks Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a traditional Hispanic day for celebrating, remembering and honoring the lives of loved ones who've passed. This year's festivities will be held at the Silver City Museum, where staff have been organizing a variety of events including live musical performances, craft and food vendors, children's activities and more. The celebration begins at 11 am in the museum courtyard, 312 W. Broadway.
The annual parade begins Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm at 1106 N. Pope Street, the office of the Grant County Community Foundation just south of Gough Park, and ends at the museum courtyard. Participants are asked to arrive by 3:15. Face painting is available as part of the museum's activities, so parade participants are invited to get their face painted at the museum then head to the parade, which is being organized by Silver City artist Diana Ingalls Leyba, who created the annual community celebration of Dia de Los Muertos several years ago.
She is also managing the evening procession and blessing of community ofrendas on Friday evening, Nov. 1, the night before Dia de Los Muertos. An ofrenda is an altar created in honor of the deceased loved one, which includes special offerings for them, such as their favorite food or drink, flowers, water, candies and other items. Several businesses in the historic downtown area will have ofrendas in their storefronts, and the procession begins at 5:00 pm.
"Dia de Los Muertos really resonates with me," said Leyba. "It's such a beautiful way of
honoring our deceased loved ones, as well as the history and culture it comes from. "I'm so grateful to everyone at the museum for their partnership and hard work to organize this year's event."
On Saturday, the celebration begins at 11:00 am. Musical events include local Tejana singer Keana Huerta and a performance by Baile Encanto, a traditional dance group. The 2024 Arte Chicano artist, award-winning wood carver and photographer Jesse Ochoa, will discuss his work - currently on display at the museum - beginning at 11:30. Children's activities include face painting and sugar skull decorating, making papel picado, or cut paper decorations, and chalk art. Admission is free.
Sponsors of Dia de Los Muertos festivities include: the Town of Silver City; the Silver City Museum Society; the New Mexico Humanities Council; the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL); LULAC Council 8003; Dr. Marie Weil; Diana Ingalls Leyba Studio Gallery; and the Future Forge Makerspace.
For more information, please contact Brittany Beers, the museum's community engagement manager, at (575) 590-0230 or
Museum admission is free, though a suggested donation of $5 helps support the museum's education programs, collections care and exhibitions. For more information about the museum, please contact the museum at (575) 589-0221/
