Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Experience the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead at an afternoon celebration at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library featuring festive crafts, music, storytelling and traditional food and sweets. The celebration takes place throughout the library and offers cultural activities and fun for all ages. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged.
Date: Sunday, November 1
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Location: Library-wide
Drop in. No registration required.
Plan Your Día de los Muertos with these scheduled events.
In the Hendrickson Room:
Facepainting, 1-4 p.m.
Children's Story and Guilded Craft, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Music Performance, 3:30-4 p.m.
Enjoy sweet treats including pan de muerto, a sugary bread and Día de los Muertos tradition.
Marketplace:
Participate in the traditional activity of honoring those who have departed, by bringing a photograph or personal affect to add to our library Día de los Muertos altar, 1-4 p.m.
Kids' Word:
DIY Crafts, 1- 4 p.m.
The Hub:
DIY Crafts and Facepainting, 1-4 p.m.
Cardinal Room:
Loteria! (Mexican Bingo), 1-3 p.m.
About Dia de los Muertos:
Día de los Muertos is celebrated November 1-2. The holiday originated in Mexico but is now celebrated throughout Latin America and other places with a Latino population. Festivals and parties mark the celebration as family and friends gather to remember loved ones with festivities, food, drink and activities the dead enjoyed in life. Participants believe that the departed are there in spirit, and the gatherings are a way to connect with and honor their loved ones who have died.
One of the most special traditions of Día de los Muertos includes building private altars called ofrendas, where family members place marigolds, photographs, personal possessions and other reminders of their loved ones such as their favorite foods or beverages.These altars are found in homes and are also commonly seen at grave sites.
The most popular symbol of Día de los Muertos is the calacas and calaveras (skeletons and skulls), which turn up everywhere during the holiday in the form of candied sweets, parade masks and as dolls. Calacas and calaveras are typically portrayed as enjoying life and accented with vibrant colors, feathers, jewelry and fancy clothes.