El Pasoans know their city is great about celebrating Día de los Muertos with colorful family events and respect and pride due to the holiday.
The two-day celebration coincides with All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2), which are Catholic traditions that honor departed ancestors.
If you were to rank El Paso among other cities that celebrate this distinctive tradition, where would you rate it?
A new study by moveBuddha, an online moving referral website, says El Paso comes in at No. 4 in the United States when it comes to Día de los Muertos celebrations. El Paso stands out with:
- A perfect 10 CultureScore, which reflects the border town’s over 80% Hispanic/Latino population and that 65% of residents speak Spanish at home.
- A 7.3 Muertos Scorefor its many cemeteries and historical Hispanic buildings,
- A 6.3 Festivities Score for its celebrations like the main Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival, taking place Nov. 2 in Downtown El Paso. This will be the seventh annual parade.
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The top three cities were Los Angeles, San Antonio and Albuquerque. And note that every city in the top 10 was once part of Mexico.
The study ranked 100 American cities with sufficient Census data for their Hispanic or Latino populations and then looked at three key factors: Mexican Culture, Muertos (cemeteries and historical sites), and Festivities. El Paso was ranked No. 1 for Mexican culture because 83% of its population is Hispanic, and 65% speak Spanish at home.
Check out the full report here: The Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate Día de los Muertos.
What to know about Día de los Muertos Parade and festivities
The theme for El Paso’s 2024 Día de los Muertos celebrations is Raíces Ancestrales/Ancestral Roots: a celebration of the diversity of our region’s cultural heritage that transcends past and present, as well as geography.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will feature hands-on arts and cultural activities for families, an artisan market, food trucks and live music and dance performances throughout the day.
The parade will be at 4 p.m. Nov. 2 around the San Jacinto Plaza. The route starts on East Mills Street.
Día de los Muertos events in October
Here are some upcoming events this month through Nov. 2 tied to Día de los Muertos in El Paso.
El Paso Mexican American Cultural Center
Oct. 11-13: Dedicatorias de Mictlantecuhtli Ribbon offerings at the Mexican American Cultural Center tent during the three days of Chalk the Block.
Oct. 20: 3-5 pm: Mictlantecuhtli Papier Mache Masks with Xingaderas Cartoneria at La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St. Rear Building. Registration required. Email: barrazaim@elpasotexas.gov
Oct. 27: 3-5 pm: Mictlantecuhtli Papier Mache Masks with Xingaderas Cartoneria @ La Fe Culture and Technology Center, 721 S. Ochoa St. Rear Building. Email: barrazaim@elpasotexas.gov
El Paso Museum of Archaeology, 4301 Transmountain Road.
Oct. 18: 6-8 p.m.: Story Telling – Lost Paranormal (Día Inspired Stories)
Oct. 19: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: “Mariposas de Vida: Celebrating Dia de Los Muertos with Butterflies,” Butterfly Activity at Hueco Tanks Fair
Oct. 26: 1-4 p.m.: “Día de los Doggies,” Bring your dog to the Museum and make a Xolo Dog
Oct. 26: Self-Guided Tour – 9 steps Signage on the trails
El Paso Museum of Art
Oct. 26: 12-4 pm: Día de los Muertos Family Day (Members and Families)- Sacred Geometry: Patterns and Stencils
Oct. 26: 11-2 pm: Altar adventure: Search and Build a Mini Día de los Muertos Altar (Low Sensory Activity)
Oct. 30–Nov. 2: 1:30–3 p.m.: See Art in the Making: Corn Mandala installation by Jorge Rojas (See Art in the Making)
Oct. 31: 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.: Celebrando el Día de Muertos con Carla Fernandez Designs: A Pop-up at the El Paso Museum of Art
Nov. 1: 12-1 p.m.: Día de los Muertos: Bach’s Lunch Edition (Music Performance)
Nov. 2: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.: Xolo and Alebrije Ornaments: Guide to the Underworld (All Ages Art Activity)
Nov. 2: 2-3 p.m.: Día de los Muertos Story Hour with EPMA Curator Michael Reyes (Story Hour)
El Paso Museum of History
Oct. 11-Nov. 10:Pop-up Exhibit: Mesoamerica, Oasisamerica, Aridamerica
Oct. 24: 6 – 8pm: Taller de Altares (Taller Momotzli) Workshop
Oct. 26: 11 a.m.-12 p.m.: Kids’ Table: Amaranth
La Fe Culture and Technology Center
Nov. 2: 6-8:30 p.m.: The La Fe Día De Los Muertos Community Celebration will include snacks and refreshments for purchase. Information: 915-545-7226.
Source: El Paso Museum of Art
More:Tickets on sale now for Amigo Airsho Oct. 12-13 at Fort Bliss
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on Instagram, eptmariacg on TikTok.
