New York City Day of the Dead Festival
Presented by Irma Bohórquez-Geisler
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year’s festival has been CANCELLED
Come for culture, food, music, dancing, traditional crafts workshops and more at the New York City Day of the Dead Festival in Staten Island!
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday to honor the lives and memory of loved ones who have died. The Day of the Dead is a family-based festivity that does not treat death as scary or haunting, but rather emphasizes the joy of our past relations, rather than the grief at our loss.
The annual New York City Day of the Dead Festival in Staten Island is free and open to the public.
The festival begins with the construction of two ofrendas, or altars for the returning souls. A communal ofrenda is constructed where visitors may place flowers and artifacts related to their deceased loved ones. Participants bring photos, the favorite drink or food of their loved ones, or possessions with special meaning to them.
The second ofrenda is constructed by a family in the community to show the traditions of the region of Mexico where they originate. This year the regional ofrenda will represent the states of Hidalgo, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Guerrero and Mexico City.
Learn about the art of papel picado, the colorful, intricate cut tissue paper, which adorns home altars and cemeteries in Mexico. Make your own papel picado, calacas (skeleton puppets), and marigold flowers. The family-fun traditional paper art workshops are led by teaching artist Tamara Geisler, Irma Bohórquez-Geisler and Silvia Gutierrez. Traditional live music, including Mariachi, and a variety of traditional dances will be performed.
All are welcome to participate. You don’t have to be Mexican or Hispanic to come to this community festival and learn more about the significance of this event.
Without our sponsors, the New York City Day of the Dead Festival in Staten Island would not be possible. We thank you for your support!
The New York City Day of the Dead Festival is FREE and Open to the Public and fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs.
We hope to see you at this year’s New York City Day of the Dead Festival!