Sugar Skull City Brings Day Of The Dead Events To Aurora For 4th Year

AURORA, IL — Sugar Skull City is bringing Day of the Dead celebrations to Aurora for the fourth year.

The event, through Nov. 5, is a three-week celebration that honors the beloved Mexican cultural tradition. Sugar Skull City activities include walking tours, restaurant specials, a festival and a scavenger hunt featuring a butterfly as this year's art.

About 40 businesses are participating. Dozens of downtown storefronts have been painted by local artists and decorated with festive displays for the holiday. Ofrendas, or altars, honoring the dead are on display at several merchants.

Sugar Skull City will culminate in November's First Fridays event featuring a festival with live music and a fashion show on Water Street Mall.

A map pinpointing all participating businesses and restaurants is published on Aurora Downtown's website. The graphic shows where to find special Day of the Dead merchandise, altars, painted storefronts, menu specials, and Pan de Muerto, or Bread of the Dead.

Here's a look at some activities happening in the next few weeks as part of Sugar Skull City.

• Butterfly art submitted by more than a dozen local artists, community members, and students will be displayed in 20 downtown windows for the annual scavenger hunt.
• Santori Public Library will host a Day of the Dead marigold wreath class at 6 p.m. Oct. 24.
• Aurora Public Art will host an exhibit with altars representing the cultures of Michoacan, Oaxaca and Mexico City as well as artwork, a selection of guitar-shaped prints and an interactive installation.
• Businesses including The Cocktail Bar at Wyckwood House, Society 57, La Quinta de los Reyes, Torresmania, Altiro Latin Fusion, Ballydoyle Irish Pub, and French 75 Gallery and Lounge will offer food and drink specials.
• Day of the Dead items will be for sale at a variety of downtown businesses including The Cotton Seed Creative Exchange. Totes can be found at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum, and marigold bouquets will be available at Blissful Blooms.
• Nide Jardin, a plant shop located at 140 S. River St., will host a Day of the Dead market from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.