‘Day Of The Dead’ Event In Montclair Will Celebrate Latino Heritage

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A Montclair-based nonprofit will conclude its second year of Latino Heritage Month programming with the town’s “first Dia de Los Muertos community altar and celebration.”

Latinos of Montclair is spearheading the event, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue. Learn more and see the schedule here.

The public is welcome to celebrate with Latinos of Montclair and contribute to the community altar by sharing a photo of a passed loved one. The event will also feature live music performances, children’s art activities, a community altar guided tour, food trucks, and a Latino/x/é marketplace, organizers said.

The community celebration will be free with a suggested donation of $10 per family or $5 per individual, organizers said.

According to a news release from the group:

“Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an ancient celebration observed throughout Mexico, as well as in Central American, South American and European regions. During the holiday, people remember and honor ancestors and deceased loved ones. Indigenous observance of the days of the dead in the Americas pre-dates the arrival of the Spanish. In order to absorb indigenous communities and traditions into Catholicism, the Spanish blended indigenous observances, such as the festival honoring Mictecacihuatl (lady of the dead), with the Catholic holidays of All Saints and All Souls Day. Today, this important holiday is observed annually on November first and second.”

“We're very excited to be partnering again with Latinos of Montclair and welcome this vibrant community to the museum as we celebrate Dia de los Muertos,” executive director Ira Wagner said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.