Dayton Dia de Los Muertos – Day of the Dead Celebration and Parade
A Dayton area community-building event, celebrating the lives of loved ones who have died
Sadly, due to a very wet weather forecast, we need to reschedule the 2021 Parade and Celebration for the following week: Sunday, October 31st. We’ve waited an extra year, so let’s hope another week brings sunshine and good weather!
- LOCATION
- Missing Peace Art Space
- 234 S. Dutoit St
- Missing Peace Art Space
- Dayton, OH
The Dayton Dia de Muertos Parade and Celebration returns this year on October 24th, 2021*. After a year of stress and uncertainty, we will gather again to remember those who have gone before us.
The event begins at Fifth and Jefferson from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, where we will have volunteers available to paint your face with a traditional sugar skull design!
The parade will kick off from Fifth and Jefferson at 2:00 pm, traveling through the Oregon District, crossing Keowee and continuing to Dutoit St. The route is just under a mile, and all are welcome to join the parade at any point.
New this year will be a people’s choice contest (with prizes) for best “Parade Presentation” – it can be clothing/make up ensemble, puppets, wagons, floats, or carts – or whatever non-motorized medium you choose – focused on the traditional themes of remembrance and celebration. More details will be provided as we move forward.
The celebration of dance and music begins as the parade arrives at The Missing Peace Art Space (around 3:00 pm). The event will be held entirely outdoors this year, with plans to create a replica of a traditional Mexican cemetery as experienced during Dia de Muertos.
Enjoy traditional music, and dance, with food trucks available. There will be opportunities to share photos of loved ones to remember and celebrate their lives.
This Celebration is possible in large part due to a generous grant from the Dayton Book Fair Foundation. We will continue fundraising efforts to extend the impact of this grant, but for 2021 will be able to keep fundraising to a minimum and focus on the celebration.
*Rain Date: October 31st, 2021