Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition that honors ancestors in Mexican culture. This multi-day holiday blends celebration with remembrance, with festivities that include altars (ofrendas), music, food, and artistic tributes to those who came before us.
In Seattle, various events offer opportunities to embrace the holiday spirit. Attend a grand festival with a procession or join an intimate community gathering if that’s more your style. Whether you’re looking to explore colorful art installations, enjoy traditional music, or reflect on the day’s meaning, these events offer locals multiple ways to remember. Activities are spread at venues throughout the city. Most fall on or before November 1st and 2nd, the days the holiday is traditionally celebrated.
Here are some of the top events in Seattle for celebrating Día de Muertos in 2024.
💀 Día de Muertos @ Seattle Symphony
📅 Saturday, October 19th, 2024
🕓 11 am
📍 Benaroya Hall: 200 University St, Seattle
This show is one of the Seattle Symphony’s family concerts, designed for ages six to 12 to enjoy music honoring Mexican performers and composers. Join as host Antonio M. Gómez leads the symphony through works by violinist Macedonio Prieto Alcalá, pianist José Pablo Moncayo, composer Gabriela Ortiz, and more. Come one hour early for pre-concert fun featuring arts, crafts, and instrument playtime.
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💀 Día de Muertos @ Seattle Center
📅 Saturday, October 26th – Sunday, October 27th, 2024
🕓 11 am – 6 pm
📍 Seattle Center Armory: 305 Harrison St, Seattle
This event started in 1998 when a group gathered in South Park to hold a local Day of the Dead celebration. The free event offers an array of ways to learn about this deep cultural tradition. Enjoy live mariachi music, altars for community remembrance, and sugar skull workshops. This vibrant, family-friendly celebration focuses on community, connection, and honoring the departed.
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💀 Seattle Catrinas Festival @ Town Hall Seattle
📅 Thursday, October 31st – Sunday, November 3rd
🕓 2 – 10 pm
📍 Town Hall Seattle: 1119 8th Ave, Seattle
Take part in this multi-day spectacular that includes folk art, traditional foods, and Aztec dancers. Each day, the program runs from 2 – 10 pm, consisting of workshops, a chance to play “Loteria” (Mexican bingo), a show featuring Azteca dancers Nahui Ollin Tezcatlipoca, a ballet, a living catrinas and catrines procession, and a concert with mezzo soprano Mareanne Silva. While there, visit the street market, showcasing local vendors with traditional foods, handcrafts, and art. The public is invited to bring pictures, flowers, and mementos to place at the giant altar.
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💀 Day of the Dead with the Bad Things @ Swedish Club
📅 Friday, November 1st, 2024
🕓 7 pm
📍 Swedish Club Seattle: 1920 Dexter Ave N, Seattle
For a non-traditional take on the holiday, join the folks at The Swedish Club for a concert featuring the post-apocalyptic depression-era band, The Bad Things. This all-ages show promises lively music, a bar for adults, free parking, and panoramic views of Lake Union. With free parking and a fun, laid-back vibe, this is an excellent place to enjoy the holiday through music.
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💀 Día de Muertos @ Phinney Center
📅 Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
🕓 1 – 4 pm
📍 Phinney Neighborhood Center: 6532 Phinney Ave N, Seattle
Join this community-focused free celebration with food, music, and hands-on activities. The event begins with an altar dedication followed by dance performances from Grupo Folklorico Citlali and Baile Folklore Colibrí. Capping off the day will be a procession through the neighborhood with a traditional ceremony led by the traditional Aztec dance group CeAtl Tonalli. Partake in tacos, Mexican beer, hot chocolate, and pan de muerto—or try one of the many free crafts, like paper flower making and beaded bracelets.
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💀 Día de los Muertos @ El Centro de la Raza
📅 Saturday, November 2, 2024
🕓 11 am – 6 pm
📍 Centilia Cultural Center: 1660 S Roberto Maestas Festival St, Seattle
In its 19th year, this event, held in the heart of Beacon Hill, includes food, a mercado (market), children’s activities, and live music. The ofrenda (altar) exhibit will be open from November 2nd to 20th so that the community can see over 25 different altars, many with a social justice theme. El Centro de la Raza has been a hub of the Seattle Latino community for over 51 years—that means five decades worth of remembrance!
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📣 More Día de Muertos events around the Seattle metro area
💀 Día de Muertos @ Kirkland
💀 Día de Muertos @ The Museum of Flight
💀 Día de Muertos Festival @ Tacoma Art Museum
💀 Día de Muertos Silent Disco: Black Light Costume Party
💀 Mezcal y Arte @ Neptanla Cultural Arts Gallery
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