Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead, is a traditional Mexican holiday in which participants remember and pray for their friends and family members who have passed away. The holiday features altars to loved ones and brightly painted sugar skulls.
Read on to learn about some some celebrations, festivals and workshops in Raleigh, Durham, and the rest of the Triangle, where you can learn about and celebrate Día de Muertos.
Day of the Dead Celebrations in the Triangle
Día de Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel
Día de Muertos Ofrenda at Duke Chapel
October 10 to November 7, 2024
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Duke University Chapel
401 Chapel Hill Drive, Durham, NC
Free
This display at Duke Chapel is hosted by Duke Arts. Seven artists from the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC) created oversized calaveras, colorfully painted skulls traditionally used to decorate ofrendas, and adorned the ofrenda with traditional elements. Visitors will find bright yellow and gold marigolds made of tissue paper to guide spirits to the ofrenda, papel picado (perforated paper) that symbolizes the union between life and death, and more.
Day of the Dead 5K
Day of the Dead 5K
Saturday, October 26, 2024
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Centro
106 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC
$35 to run (no cost for the other activities)
This event benefits the Brentwood Boys & Girls Club. There will be two altars where you can leave offerings of flowers and messages in memory of your loved ones. One altar will be at Oakwood Cemetery and one on Wilmington Street.
The event will also feature arts and crafts, face painting, a kids’ dash, performances, and a dance-off costume contest. There’s no cost to participate in these events (just the 5K.)
Day of the Dead Festival at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
Day of the Dead Festival at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
Saturday, October 26, 2024
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Whirligig Park
301 Goldsboro Street South, Wilson, NC
Free
Celebrate with the community and remember your loved ones with music, dancing, an altar contest, tamales.
Día de Oakwood
Día de Oakwood
Events on three days (October 26 and 27, and November 2)
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
701 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC
Free
There will be 7 large scale ofrendas at Historic Oakwood Cemetery, and three special events. Follow the above link for details.
- Opening Ceremony: Saturday, October 26, from 4 to 8 p.m.
- Screening of Disney’s Coco: Sunday, October 27, at 5 p.m.
- Closing ceremony and Catrina parade: Saturday, November 2, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Day of the Dead with Revista Latina
Day of the Dead with Revista Latina
Sunday, October 27, 2024
12 to 4 p.m.
City Plaza
443 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina
Free
Celebrate with folklore, Aztec dance, music, arts, Mexican crafts and food trucks.
Day of the Dead Celebration at City of Raleigh Museum
Day of the Dead Celebration at City of Raleigh Museum
Friday, November 2, 2024
6:30 to 9 p.m.
City of Raleigh Museum
220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC
Free
This event is a collaboration between City of Raleigh Museum and the Artist Studio Project. It features art installations and performances, as well as a craft table, face painting and Pan de Muertos (Day of the Deal bread.)
More Day of the Dead Events in the Triangle (day by day list)
Make sure to follow each link for all the information. Most of these are free events, but we’ve included the Day of the Dead 5K in Raleigh as well. Although there’s a cost to the 5K the event also includes free celebrations for everyone.
