Watching the movie was a great way to remind us that we should learn more about traditions that are different from our own. Because this tradition is one we are absolutely observing.
Places to Visit in Memphis:
History of Dia De Los Muertos
Dia de los Muertos is Spanish for Day of the Dead. Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that honors deceased loved ones! It is celebrated on November 1 & 2 and is not a day of mourning our passed family members, but honoring them.
Typically, Ofrendas are built to honor the loved ones. An Ofrenda has photos of deceased loved ones, their favorite food or drinks, candles, colorful banners, and marigolds.
Some of the gorgeous goods from a vendor.
Memphis Brooks Museum of Art Dia de los Muertos
Our first year living in the Memphis area was 2020! 2020 was a difficult time to move to a new state. Events were cancelled, and meeting new people was a challenge. Instead of cancelling this event, they made the parade a drive-thru parade. So HUGE kudos to the group for figuring out a way to make the event happen.
After driving through and seeing the amazing costumes, set-ups, and hearing the music playing, we knew this would be an event we would have to see again.
So, this is an event we try our best to visit.
I was curious if this event would be scary for my six-year-old. It is NOT scary at all. It is a far less frightening event than most Halloween-themed events we have been to. So definitely count this as family-friendly.
We aren’t a Mexican family, and I didn’t know if that would make us feel like unwelcome outsiders. This isn’t our heritage, and I know so little about the traditions. Would it feel weird? At this event, NO! Our family felt very welcome here.
Dia de los Muertos at Brook’s Museum has been an amazing way to learn about a new tradition that our family wanted to adopt and be a part of.
Get your Memphis gear here!
One of the many Ofrendas located inside the museum.
What to Expect at Brooks Museum Dia de los Muertos
Last year, we arrived at the party early, which was great for a good parking spot.
The vendors set up just outside the museum’s front entrance. You can purchase Dia de los Muertos-themed items or handmade crochet goodies. There were food trucks set up, which were a huge hit with very long lines. So get in line before you get hungry!
Museum admission was free for the day, so we saw the museum for the first time. (We have been to events hosted here, but had never been inside.) Inside, we walked around and saw some pretty incredible ofrendas. They also had various arts and crafts set up at different tables. My daughter enjoyed participating, and now we have these cool handmade decorations to add to our decor this year. There was a maracahi band playing and singing, and it was an absolute blast. Walmart has great Dia de los Muertos decor!
Dia de los Muertos Parade
Some of the specifics of the day were harder for us to find beforehand. We weren’t sure exactly what time the parade would take place.
Last year, the parade came down Morrie A Moss Lane and up the drive in front of the museum. Again, we couldn’t find any specifics on where the parade would be, so we had to follow the crowd. We would have loved to have been a little farther from the actual museum to be a little less crowded… but we were just happy to be there and get our kids closer to the front of the crowd so they could see.
There were so many well-thought-out and decorated floats, people in gorgeous outfits and face paint, dancing to great music. There were mariachi bands, marching bands, hearses, and car clubs. It was a much longer and better parade than I had expected.
This year the party is on November 1, 11:30-3:30. At the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, 1934 Poplar Avenue, Memphis. Located near the zoo!
