Photography courtesy of Missouri History Museum
The Dia de los Muertos Festival, or “Day of the Dead” Festival, returns to the Missouri History Museum this weekend. “Even though it’s honoring the dead, it’s a lively celebration where it’s believed that the spirits return to visit the living,” says Lindsay Newton, director of education and community engagement.
The family-friendly festival includes such activities as face-painting, souvenir printmaking, and Spanish storytelling, as well as altar viewing, art displays, live music, and food from El Chico Bakery. Musical guests include Inti Llajta, DJ Eric, and Mariachi Nuevo Azteca. Alma de Mexico and Our Lady of Guadalupe Dancers will also perform dances.
Newton says she's most looking forward to seeing the altars, which contain memorabilia and favorite items of the deceased. “They’re very moving," she says, "while also being very beautiful.”
The festival started as a one-night event but has grown over the past nine years, thanks to support from the St. Louis community, says Newton. “We started preparing for this months in advance, working with our collaborators,” Newton says of Hispanic Festival Inc., Mexicanos en St. Louis, STL Juntos, Latinx Arts Network, and Juntos We Read.
“There’s just been so much interest in the community. There are people wanting to learn more about it and people who want to have a place in the community where they can go and celebrate it," says Newton. “We hear a lot about how much it means to people.”
The festival will run from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday at the Missouri History Museum (5700 Lindell). Admission is free. See website for schedule and more details.
