Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Des Moines
Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a festival celebrated in Mexico and other places worldwide to honor loved ones who have passed away. It’s also a way to remind us to enjoy life. Although it’s called “dia” (day), it’s held over two days on November 1st and 2nd. There are fiestas with music and dancing, delicious food including pan de muertos (bread of the dead), and beautiful cempasuchil (marigold) flowers. The Aztecs believed the scent of flowers would help their ancestors find their way back home.
Families and communities create altars decorated with ofrendas (offerings) to honor the deceased. Ofrendas may include candles, flowers, calaveras (skulls), pictures, and special items that were important to loved ones.
There are many great events in the Des Moines Metro to celebrate this special time.
Dia de Los Muertos
Where: Jester Park Nature Center in Granger
Date: Saturday, October 18th, from 10:30 AM-12:00 PM
Cost: Free, but registration is required by October 16th
Come and join us this fall season as we explore life cycles and learn about the Dia de los Muertos tradition. During this event, you will learn the history of the tradition, explore its numerous nature connections, and take part in themed crafts and activities.
Two weeks before the program, and up until the day of, drop off a photo of a loved one who has passed away to add to our Nature Center ofrenda (altar). *Photos can be retrieved up to one week after the program.
Capitol Park Dia de Los Muertos Fall Party
Where: Ding Darling Shelter and Playground, 2100 Saylor Road, Des Moines
Date: Saturday, November 1s,t from 3:00-6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Capitol Park Neighbors would like to invite you to our 7th annual Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) fall party!
This day is an opportunity to celebrate! We celebrate the lives of loved ones we have lost. We celebrate the diversity in our community. And we celebrate being able to come together!
Authentic commemorative altars will be on display in the shelter. Capitol Park will provide hot cocoa and pan de muerto (Mexican sweet bread). NEW this year: Mexican bingo! There will be candy, piñatas, a bouncy house, face painting, and much more!
And, we are excited to announce that we will feature TWO dance performances: Danza Folklórico del Oeste and GFJovenes Embajadores DSM!
We are also hosting local businesses and organizations that are here to help support you and our community, and we hope you can connect with them, too.
Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos
Where: Des Moines Art Center
Date: Sunday, November 2nd at 11:00 AM-3:00 PM
Cost: Free
Join us for the 25th anniversary of Día de los Muertos at the Des Moines Art Center — one of our most beloved and popular celebrations of the year. This milestone honors not only the lives we’ve lost, but also the unifying spirit of the holiday and the community members who have built and sustained this event with vision and care.
Enjoy live music and dance performances, food and art vendors, hands-on activities, a Catrina costume showcase (learn more about how to participate), a short documentary film tribute, and our annual community ofrenda (on view in the Macomber Lobby through November 16).
Free Mexican hot cocoa and pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) will be available while supplies last.
Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos
Where: Des Moines Public Library (Central) 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Date: Sunday, November 2nd, from 4:00-6:30 PM
Cost: Free
Latinx Immigrants of Iowa and the Des Moines Public Library invite you to our 5th Annual Day of the Dead celebration. Come and experience a vibrant celebration of life and remembrance!
Enjoy beautiful traditional altars (ofrendas), colorful paper flowers, catrinas and catrines, and other cultural elements created by our community volunteers.
Enjoy tamales, pan de muerto, and a delicious traditional drink while supplies last! Enjoy special folkloric dance performances by Danza Folklorica del Oeste and Folklor Mexicano Stylo y Movimiento.
Local organizations will also be present to share information and community resources.
Celebrate our culture, honor our loved ones, and enjoy one of the most meaningful traditions from Latin America.
Sugar Skull! A Dia de Muertos Musical Adventure
Where: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut Street, Des Moines
Date: Saturday, November 8th at 11:00 AM
Cost: $10-$20 per ticket plus $2 fee per ticket
SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Meet Sugar Skull, a charismatic skeleton with a secret or two. With her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her family ofrenda before it’s too late?