Where to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Richmond
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The community ofrenda at TBT El Gallo in the Fan. Photo: Sabrina Moreno/Axios
This weekend marks Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead — Mexico's centuries-old celebration of life that honors those who've died.
The big picture: From Nov. 1-2, Mexican families mark the holiday with "ofrendas" to welcome spirits back to the world of the living.
- They're colorful altars adorned with offerings like marigolds, candles, photos of the deceased and their favorite foods.
- It's rooted in ancient Aztec and other Indigenous traditions and has become one of the most significant and multicultural celebrations across Latin America.
- "Calaveras," or skulls, are also a key symbol of the holiday, which is commonly painted on people's faces.
Zoom in: During these two days, it's believed to be the time when the dead can return to dance and drink with their family.
Here's how to celebrate around Richmond:
🧑🌾 The Latino Farmers Market in Chesterfield is closing out its season at Rockwood Park with a Día de los Muertos celebration. Saturday, 8am-2pm.
- There will be a community altar, face painting and La Catrina, a skeletal icon of the holiday.
🩰 The Latin Ballet of Virginia is hosting a Día de los Muertos festival on Saturday at the Perkinson Center for the Arts in Chester. 11am-3pm. Free.
- There will be food from Mi Hacienda and live dance performances.
🌮 TBT El Gallo has a Día de los Muertos pop-up, where $1 of every "Sin Muerte" cocktail goes toward the Richmond Legal Fund.
- You can bring a small framed picture of a loved one who has died and place it on the community ofrenda on TBT's patio.
🎶 Lolita's in Carytown has food and drink specials through Nov. 2 and live cumbia on vinyl on Saturday from 10pm-midnight.
- The restaurant is decked out with Día de los Muertos decorations and an ofrenda.
🍹 Abuelita's, Mosto Tequila and Little Mexico restaurants are joining together for a Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday with food and drink specials at 3017 W. Clay St., 5-10pm.
- They include tamales, passionfruit tequila cocktails and pan de muerto, a sweet bread said to nourish the spirits after their long journey.
- Part of the proceeds will also be donated to the Richmond Legal Fund.
🌃 Noche de Fiesta in the Garden is at Lewis Ginter with live dance performances, an altar and a live art exhibition on Sunday from 6-10pm. Tickets start at $125 for members.
- The ticket includes a blood orange margarita.
🧘 The University of Richmond is putting up an altar from Nov. 3-7 in the Meditation Garden filled with photos of loved ones, including pets.