Día De Los Muertos

Events

"Between performances from Aztec dance group Cenzontile Cuicatl and altar ceremonies, no cultural stone will be left unturned."

Allison Volpe, Philly.com

Program Overview

What is El Día de los Muertos?

El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) has been observed across Latin America for centuries as a day to honor and celebrate the lives of people we have lost. This celebration is a 3,000-year-old tradition that is incredibly strong and visible in Mexico and in Latin American communities across the US. While specific customs to celebrate may vary across regions of Mexico and Latin America, the general sentiment is to reunite with our loved ones who have died in a celebration that honors them and guides them to find peace and eternal rest. Many other countries around the world have similar traditions honoring the dead; the truth is that we can all relate to the universal experience of loss and longing as we remember the lives of our loved ones.

What does El Día de los Muertos mean to Philadelphia?

In Philadelphia, we honor the tradition by celebrating together as a diverse Latinx community that continues to grow and share culture. Whether we are of Mexican descent or not, we all share the need to contribute and keep this tradition in our region as a means to unite and celebrate our Latinidad. Heritage is extremely important in this conversation as our community shares a diverse ancestral composition that includes Native American, African, European, and Asian roots. This genetic diversity that we now embrace is the result of the pain and suffering of our ancestors inflicted by European colonization in the Americas. In order to celebrate, we must also acknowledge and honor our past; the intention of this celebration is to bring us closer together by honoring the dead and our heritage.

Presented by

El Día de los Muertos Celebration at Fleisher Art Memorial is supported by the William Penn Foundation and the Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.

Join the Celebration!

El Día de los Muertos 2025
Artista Principal: María De Los Angeles Hernández Del Prado
MI TIERRA MEXICANA
El decimotercero Día de los Muertos en Filadelfia se le dedica a el “México lindo y querido”. Esta frase patriótica de la famosa canción del compositor mexicano Chucho Monge abarca el sentimiento de orgullo de nuestras celebraciones el 1 de noviembre y representa la temática de La Ofrenda, la cual celebra la tierra, las costumbres y como la letra de la canción implica, los volcanes, las praderas y las flores de México.
María Hernández, la artista invitada a traer su visión a La Ofrenda construida en el Santuario de Fleisher Art Memorial, tiene la intención de honrar a su patria, a sus raíces y a nuestros queridos difuntos a través de las costumbres y tradiciones de México. México en un país inmenso, por eso la artista María le da un enfoque sentimental a su pueblo rico y humilde, a la comunidad indígena de la región y a un lugar espectacular en donde la naturaleza abunda y las artesanías se celebran. En la lengua indígena es el “lugar donde abunda el agua” y en Mexico es conocido como el Pueblo con Encanto: San Juan Amanalco de Becerra. Amanalco se encuentra en el Estado de México y nos ofrece un gran legado cultural y prehistórico gracias a la comunidad indígena Otomí, todavía presente en la región, los cuales continuan influyendo la manera de vivir y la manera de crear con nuestras propias manos.
La conexión indígena de nuestro decimotercero Día de los Muertos siempre prevalece y este año según la cultural azteca, todo lo opuesto esta en sincronía y armonía: el este con el oeste, el sur con el norte, Filadelfia con Amanalco, la vida con la muerte y la noche con el día. Para los aztecas, el número 13 es sagrado y conlleva una energía positiva. En Filadelfia comenzamos las celebraciones durante el día y terminamos en la noche con nuestros cuerpos en Filadelfia y nuestros corazones palpitando y en sincronía con el latido de nuestras tierras.
El viernes 31 de octubre invitamos a toda la comunidad a unirse y ayudarnos con los últimos preparativos de La Ofrenda de 2-9PM y para disfrutar de talleres familiares de 5-8PM.
Presentación especial del Conejo en el Faro el miércoles 5 de noviembre de la película Ensayo de un Crimen (México, 1955), de Luis Buñuel

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Day of the Dead 2025 | 13th Day of the Dead Celebrations at Fleisher Art Memorial

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Main Artist: María De Los Angeles Hernández Del Prado

The thirteenth Day of the Dead in Philadelphia is dedicated to “México Lindo y Querido” which translates to “My Beautiful and Beloved Mexico”. This patriotic phrase is from a famous song by Mexican composer Chucho Monge and encompasses our sense of pride in our November 1st celebrations. It also represents the theme of La Ofrenda, the traditional altar erected to honor the dead, which celebrates culture and tradition, and as the song’s lyrics imply, the volcanoes, the fields, and the flowers of Mexico.

This Fleisher’s Day of the Dead celebrations has particular significance because in the Aztec world, the number thirteen is associated with the repeating cycles of change and the balance and harmony of opposites: the east with the west, the north with the south, Philadelphia with Amanalco, life with death, and night and day.

The number 13 is sacred and it emits positive energy that connects us to our ancestors and their beliefs and culture. That’s why our celebrations begin each year during the day and end at night, with our bodies in Philadelphia and our hearts beating to the rhythm of the homes we left behind.

On Friday, October 31, we invite the entire community to join us and help with the final preparations for La Ofrenda from 2-9 PM and to enjoy family workshops from 5-8 PM.

On November 5, the film club, El Conejo en el Faro, will hold a special presentation of the Luis Buñuel film, Ensayo de un Crimen (México, 1955) with a conversation afterwards.

DAY OF THE DEAD ITINERARY

PROGRAMA DEL EVENTO en el estacionamiento de Fleisher:
Sábado, 1 de noviembre de 2025
Día alternativo por lluvia: domingo 2 de noviembre
2-4PM  Festival de los Niños – Talleres infantiles de arte del Día de los Muertos con actividades gracias a ColorWheels
2-9PM  El Mercado de las Calacas – Artesanías de Latinoamérica y productos hechos a mano
4:00PM  Punto de encuentro para todos los participantes en la procesión al frente de la tarima
4:30PM  Procesión de la Calaca Flaca con La Llorona de Filadelfia – Información de la ruta en las redes sociales @lacalacaflacaphilly
5:30PM  Los danzantes de Huey Xolotl inauguran las celebraciones al frente de la tarima de espectáculos
5:30PM  Las puertas del Santuario de Fleisher se abren al público para poder admirar La Ofrenda creada por la artista invitada y honrar a nuestros queridos difuntos
6:00PM  Nuuxakun, baile folclórico infantil
6:30PM. Son Revoltura, una colectiva musical de la comunidad del genero folclórico Son Jarocho
7:30-9PM  Las Mariposas Galácticas, una banda revolucionaria que mezcla cumbia, klezmer y punk, con influencias andinas, judías y afrocaribeñas. ¡Que viva la resistencia!
COMIDA: Taqueria El Güero Food Truck, Restaurante Mole Poblano
Maestro de Ceremonias: Edgar Ramirez de Philatinos Radio
La Calaca Flaca es un comité Latinx responsable de organizar El Día de los Muertos con el apoyo de Fleisher Art Memorial.
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(Please note, the event will take place outdoors in Fleisher’s parking lot)

Saturday, November 1, 2025 | Rain date, Sunday, November 2, 2025

2-4PM Children’s Fair with ColorWheels

2-9PM La Calaca Market with artisanal crafts from Latin America and handmade products

4PM Procession gathering in front of stage to follow the Champion Lowriders with La Calacleta

4:30PM Procession departure with La Llorona, the official Day of the Dead Calaca. Route info @lacalacaflacaphilly

5:30PM Dancers from Huey Xolotl initiate the evening celebrations back in Fleisher’s parking lot

5:30PM Fleisher’s Sanctuary doors open to the public to admire La Ofrenda created by the invited artist and to honor our dear departed

6-9 pm Entertainment by the Children’s Mexican Folkloric Dance Group Ñuuxakun, Son Revoltura, Las Mariposas Galacticas and more

FOOD: Taqueria El Güero Food Truck and Mole Poblano Restaurant

HOST: Edgar Ramirez de Philatinos Radio

La Calaca Flaca is a Latinx committee responsible for organizing the Day of the Dead celebrations with the support of Fleisher Art Memorial.

 

Fleisher Art Memorial

719 Catharine Street

Philadelphia, PA

La Ofrenda 2025

Maria Hernandez, the artist invited to bring her vision to La Ofrenda, built in the Fleisher Art Memorial Sanctuary, intends to honor her homeland, her roots, and the beloved departed through her artistic vision. Her focus is inspired by her humble and beloved birthplace, San Juan Amanalco de Becerra, a place that still holds a beautiful indigenous community in which craftsmanship is treasured. Known as N’dabi, “the place where water abounds”, in the Otomí native language. Amanalco is an enchanted municipality in the state of México due to the spectacular natural surroundings, the cultural and prehistoric legacy of the region and the prevalent Otomí residents who continue to influence the way of living, promoting the use of one’s own hands to create.

La Ofrenda represents and honors the people we lost that were close to us. In Mexico and other Latin American countries that celebrate this tradition, the altars are assembled in the family home to create a pleasant and familiar space to which the souls of the dead can return and feel welcomed. This tradition continues to evolve as celebrants continue to migrate, finding new ways to honor our dear departed away from their homelands.

On Friday, October 31, we invite the entire community to join us and help with the final preparations for La Ofrenda from 2-9 PM and to enjoy family workshops from 5-8 PM.

La Ofrenda will be on display in our Sanctuary space the week of November 3, with the exception of Tuesday, November 4, election day. Please call our front desk for visitor hours: 215-922-3456.

For more information about this event, please contact Gerard Silva, Director of Community Outreach at gsilva@fleisher.org.

Closing Event | Wednesday, November 5

On November 5, the film club, El Conejo en el Faro, will hold a special presentation of the Luis Buñuel film, Ensayo de un Crimen (México, 1955) with a conversation afterwards.