Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Disney Parks and beyond this season

in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

Dia de los muertos

Día de los Muertos, known in English as Day of the Dead, is a multi-day celebration in Mexican culture in which families honor their loved ones who have passed. The holiday, which takes place every year from October 21 through November 2, is celebrated in Mexico and by those of Mexican heritage throughout the world, and even in the Disney Parks. This season, the Disney Parks and areas throughout the U.S. are offering many ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos, from seasonal food offerings and cultural displays, to live Mariachi performances. Read on to learn about how you can celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Disney Parks and beyond. 

WATCH – MIGUEL PUPPET AT DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE: 

From food to entertainment, Disney’s California Adventure is the place for all things “Coco” and Día de los Muertos this season.

Through November 4, you can enjoy Mexican-inspired food dishes, including a Yucatan-Inspired Vaporcito (a chicken tamale steamed in banana leaves), Tortitas de Papa con Queso (crispy potato cakes with Oaxaca cheese), Mexican hot chocolate, and a Conchita (traditional Mexican sweet bread). All of these seasonal Día de los Muertos dishes and more are served at Paradise Garden Grill.

Disney’s California Adventure is also offering Día de los Muertos entertainment and activities through November 4. The stars of this season’s celebrations are the Mariachi Divas performing music from “Coco,” featuring a lifelike Miguel puppet playing guitar and dancing to songs from the film. If you’re looking for a wonderful way to celebrate Día de los Muertos, you won’t want to miss these daily performances.

There are many other displays and activities celebrating Día de los Muertos throughout Disneyland Resort. Check them out here!

Downtown Disney, Disneyland Resort

Tortilla Jo’s is hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration this weekend from November 1 through 4, and it will be a deliciously good time. The annual event will feature fun for the whole family, including tequila tasting for the adults, face painting for the children, and even more performances by the beloved Mariachi Divas.

The Día de los Muertos celebration at Downtown Disney will take place all weekend long, with the main festivities taking place Friday, Novmber 2 and Saturday, November 3, from 2-8 p.m. Read more about the event’s schedule here.

Check out the seasonal Día de los Muertos menu below for more information on the food offerings at this year’s celebration at Tortilla Jo’s. This menu will be served all weekend long from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

Image copyright EasyWDW

The Mexico Pavilion at Epcot is the best place to celebrate Mexican culture during Día de los Muertos at Walt Disney World. Guests visiting the Mexico Pavilion can take a look at “Remember Me!” La Celebración del Día de los Muertos, a display of Día de los Muertos cultural décor and Mexican folk art. The exhibit features the work of prominent Mexican and Mexican-American artists, including vibrant colors and images distinctly celebratory of Día de los Muertos.

Within the Día de los Muertos displays, guests can view images of characters from “Coco” visiting the graves of their loved ones, as well as a large display of Miguel visiting his family’s altar surrounded by artwork, photos, and candles.

The “Remember Me!” La Celebración del Día de los Muertos exhibit has been on display at the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot throughout 2018, so we don’t suspect it will be leaving anytime soon. However, it is especially fun to visit it during the season of Día de los Muertos to learn more about what this celebration is all about.

Disney also announced that Mexican artist Carmelita Melchor Jimón will be at the Mexico Pavilion at Plaza de los Amigos with her painted Día de los Muertos Catrina dolls from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. now through November 4.

 

Additionally, for more ways to celebrate Mexican culture at Epcot this season, check out the Mexico pavilion during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival through November 12 to feast on traditional Mexican dishes. Be sure to visit the Mexico pavilion year round to learn more about the country’s traditions.

Olvera Street Día de los Muertos, Los Angeles

In Los Angeles, just a short drive away from Disneyland Resort, the Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation is hosting a Día de los Muertos event. Through November 2, a Día de los Muertos procession will take place each night at 7 p.m., providing guests with a viewing of traditional cleansing ceremonies, altars, dancing, and even a “Living Muertos” parade. Community altars are on display throughout Olvera Street for guests to take a look at throughout the evening, and guests can event turn into calaveras (sugar skulls) with face painting.

The Olvera Street Día de los Muertos event is free and open to the public, so visit this year before it’s gone until 2019. For more information, visit the official website or take a look at the event flyer below.

Florida Day of the Dead, Ft. Lauderdale

Florida also has its own celebrations of Día de los Muertos this season. Just a few hours away from Walt Disney World, Downtown Ft. Lauderdale is hosting its 9th annual Day of the Dead celebration on Friday, November 2. The free event will include ofrendas, art exhibits honoring Mexican culture and the season of Día de los Muertos, craft booths, puppeteer training, Mariachi performances, food, and so much more.

Musical performances at Florida Day of the Dead will take place all through the night until 4 a.m. this weekend, so be sure to stop by the celebration on November 2 to join in on the fun. There will be plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy, and attending the event is completely free. For more information on what will be offered at this year’s Florida Day of the Dead, visit the official website here or take a look at the event schedule below:


 

The Disney Parks and beyond have so much to offer in celebration of Día de los Muertos this season, regardless of whether you’re looking to celebrate the holiday in traditional or creative new ways.

Do you celebrate Día de los Muertos with your loved ones? How do you plan to celebrate this year? 

in Disney, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World

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