You are invited to join us at our 2nd annual Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 4-9pm.
Join us for Northern Michigan's only Day of the Dead celebration!
live music | catrina costume contest | ofrendas on display |
food & drink specials
Schedule of Activities
2- 4 pm: Day of the Dead Print Blocking Workshop
Day of the Dead themed Block printing workshop with Poppyseed's Collective! Hosted outside near Mango's, weather location is inside Mango's. All supplies provided. You will learn all the steps it takes to print with a freshly carved block- drawing an image, transferring, carving your block, inking your block, and printing your design. $35/ticket, limited spots available. Ages 15+. Learn more and tickets here.
4 pm: Festivities Begins (Center Alley, behind Mango's Tequila Bar)
5 pm: Catrina Costume Contest
Catrina Costume Contest judging takes place at 5 pm, with a new this year Catrina parade throughout the alley for attendees to see all the beautiful costumes. Participants can check in with panel of judges anytime between 4-5 pm behind the back entrance to Mango's. Awards for best group, best individual, and best kids.
5:30- 9 pm: Live Music from Mariachi Jalisco de Detroit
Live mariachi music to follow until 9 pm (in case of inclement weather, band will move inside Mango's)
Day of the Dead themed Block printing workshop with Poppyseed's Collective! Hosted outside near Mango's, weather location is inside Mango's. All supplies provided. You will learn all the steps it takes to print with a freshly carved block- drawing an image, transferring, carving your block, inking your block, and printing your design. $35/ticket, limited spots available. Ages 15+. Learn more and tickets here.
4 pm: Festivities Begins (Center Alley, behind Mango's Tequila Bar)
- Catrina Costume Contest check-in (4-5 pm)
- Facepainting for kids & adults (4-6 pm)
- Kids coloring activity and craft
- Ofrendas on display in the Center Alley & Pocket Park. Vote for your favorite on Downtown Alpena's social media Saturday & Sunday. The winner will receive a $250 cash prize sponsored by Neighborhood Provisions!
5 pm: Catrina Costume Contest
Catrina Costume Contest judging takes place at 5 pm, with a new this year Catrina parade throughout the alley for attendees to see all the beautiful costumes. Participants can check in with panel of judges anytime between 4-5 pm behind the back entrance to Mango's. Awards for best group, best individual, and best kids.
- Best Group (2 or more)- $250 Mango's gift certificate & $250 Downtown Dollars
- Best Individual- $100 Mango's gift certificate & $100 Downtown Dollars
- Best Kids Costume- $50 Mango's gift certificate & $50 Downtown Dollars
5:30- 9 pm: Live Music from Mariachi Jalisco de Detroit
Live mariachi music to follow until 9 pm (in case of inclement weather, band will move inside Mango's)
This event is made possible through the support of the following organizations:
|
|
|
Learn More about our Day of the Day Celebration
What is Day of the Dead?
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration filled with music, dancing, art, food, and family activities. It is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirit to the earthly realm. Day of the Dead is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. You can learn more here.
Who is La Catrina, and how can I participate in the costume contest?
La Catrina is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of Dia de Los Muertos. Catrina is a work of art, created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada as a satire of the social situation in Mexico in 1910. Famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized La Catrina in one of his murals that depicts 400 years of Mexican history. Now, women across the world paint their faces in colorful make-up and dress with elegant outfits evoking the famous symbolic skeleton. Here are some inspiration photos! Enter our costume & makeup contest for the chance to win three top prizes. Learn more about La Catrina here.
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration filled with music, dancing, art, food, and family activities. It is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirit to the earthly realm. Day of the Dead is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. You can learn more here.
Who is La Catrina, and how can I participate in the costume contest?
La Catrina is one of the most widely recognizable symbols of Dia de Los Muertos. Catrina is a work of art, created by artist Jose Guadalupe Posada as a satire of the social situation in Mexico in 1910. Famous artist and husband of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, immortalized La Catrina in one of his murals that depicts 400 years of Mexican history. Now, women across the world paint their faces in colorful make-up and dress with elegant outfits evoking the famous symbolic skeleton. Here are some inspiration photos! Enter our costume & makeup contest for the chance to win three top prizes. Learn more about La Catrina here.
|
|
|
Why are we hosting a Day of the Dead celebration?
Earlier this year, we were chatting with our friends at Mango's Tequila Bar about new event ideas for the fall and winter seasons. The owners of Mango's are from Mexico and have travelled to enjoy Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the US and Mexico. Seeing their photos, we knew this would be a unique and meaningful event to host downtown by partnering with Mango's and Thunder Bay Arts.
Earlier this year, we were chatting with our friends at Mango's Tequila Bar about new event ideas for the fall and winter seasons. The owners of Mango's are from Mexico and have travelled to enjoy Day of the Dead celebrations throughout the US and Mexico. Seeing their photos, we knew this would be a unique and meaningful event to host downtown by partnering with Mango's and Thunder Bay Arts.
