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Preview Kansas City’s 8th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Pictured is the altar of a past Day of the Dead celebration, complete with lit candles and gifts.

A view of the altar | Photo via the Kansas City Museum

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The Kansas City Museum’s 8th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration is tomorrow — Oct. 23. The event explores the history + cultural traditions of this holiday.

The history

Día de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead is a holiday celebrated on November 1 and 2. The day is mostly associated with Mexico, where the tradition originated, and honors the dead with festivals + celebrations. Día de los Muertos is also celebrated on All Saints Day and All Souls Day, which are holidays from the Catholic denomination of the Christian religion.
DYK: Día de los Muertos rituals date back some 3,000 years. It was believed upon dying, a person would travel to Chicunamictlánthe Land of the Dead. Before a person could reach Mictlánthe final resting place — he or she would have to go through 9 challenging levels and a journey lasting several years.

What to expect

🗓 Sat., Oct. 23
⏰ 6-9 p.m.
📍 Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., Kansas City, MO
***Pro Tip: Enter from Indiana Ave.
🎟 Tickets are $5 for adults + children 12 and under are free
💀 Viewing is restricted to the altar to maintain COVID-19 safety protocols.

Only the first floor of the museum will be open. There will be live mariachi music by Mariachi Estrella KC, Glow Day of the Dead Puppets by StoneLion Puppet Theatre + live performances by Grupo Folklorico Izcalli.

Remember, all items placed at the community altar will not be returned.

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