Celebrate Día de los Muertos 2024
October 15–November 3
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at CMA and in the Community
Explore our Día de los Muertos webpage in Spanish by using the accessibility toolbar for easy translation.
Community Ofrenda
October 15–November 3
An ofrenda is an altar, built to honor lost loved ones. Visitors may add a memento, photo, or word to remember and celebrate someone special from their lives. The ofrenda was created by Renee Zamora, a Columbus artist who works with printmaking, mixed media and found objects. Artist Renee Zamora shares her story and one of her favorite parts about Día de los Muertos, the ofrenda. Follow along and build your own.
Museum admission is not required to engage with the Ofrenda.
Community Conversation on Grief
October 27, 1:00–3:00 PM
Join CMA and community partners in an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, loss, healing, and the origins of Día de los Muertos. Guests are welcome to bring an object or photo to add to the community ofrenda to honor their lost loved ones.
This year’s community partners will offer participants guided practices and conversation to support the grief process. Featuring healer Lori Guth, breathwork facilitator and writer Tifani Kendrick, and artist Renee Zamora.
Program is free with registration. Space is limited.
CMA Community Days: Día de los Muertos
November 3, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Enjoy a day filled with celebratory activities and learn about the rich history of Día de los Muertos including a participatory community ofrenda, performances and experiences, art-making, tasty bites and more.
Admission to CMA Community Days is completely free, including general access and entry to the exhibitions.
All are welcome, registration is encouraged.
COMMUNITY DAY ACTIVITIES
All day, visitors can engage with the community ofrenda, take photos at the booth, and play Lotería. From 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, explore resources from PNC, the sponsor of our Día de los Muertos programming, in the Atrium.
Family Morning
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Enjoy sweet treats and Mexican hot chocolate from Vainilla & Chocolate. Bilingual story time will be led by Ellie Yorba at 10:15 AM in English and 10:45 AM in Spanish, followed by an art activity from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Community Celebration
12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Featuring vendors from El Mercadito and Gente Indígena Collective, performances and savory bites provided by Casa Karmelitas, art-activities, and tarot readings.
Performance Schedule
1:00 PM
Taco Reparations Brigade
2:00 PM
Catrina inspired performance by drag queen Hiliana Perez
2:15 PM
Ballet folclórico Xochihua
3:00 PM
Catrina inspired performance by drag queen Hiliana Perez
3:30 PM
Bee Humana
4:00 PM
Closing Ceremony
10 Minutes on the Dot
11:00 AM–4:10 PM
Join us in the galleries for an engaging session with a CMA Docent. Explore a featured artwork from our permanent collection that showcases the talent of a Mexican artist. Enjoy an in-depth look and discussion. Tours will be provided in English with Spanish or ASL interpretations.
11:00–11:10 AM
Offered with Spanish interpretation
12:00–12:10 PM
Offered with ASL interpretation
1:00–1:10 PM
Offered with Spanish interpretation
2:00–2:10 PM
Offered with ASL interpretation
3:00–3:10 PM
Offered with Spanish interpretation
4:00–4:10 PM
Offered with ASL interpretation
Featured page image and CMA Community Days image by Joshua Turcios
Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners
Día de los Muertos programming is presented by:
CMA Community Days are sponsored by:
Thank you to our Día de los Muertos planning committee:
Liliana Baiman, Adriana Ernest, Sandra Lopez, Cat Ramos, Carlos Roa, Yahaira Rose, Annette M. Vasquez, and Renee Zamora.
Thank you to our community partners and artist collectives:
El Mercadito
Gente Indígena Collective
Día de los Muertos School and Teacher Resource
Ofrenda Box Project
Download this educator-designed resource for ages K-12 to engage with the origins and traditions of Día de los Muertos. Created by Día de los Muertos committee member, artist and educator Renee Zamora.
Download in English
Download in Spanish
Community Guest Blogs
Read and hear from more voices in our community on what Día de los Muertos means to them.
A recorded conversation about Día de los Muertos origins, traditions and the importance of appreciation versus appropriation of these indigenous celebrations with Cat Ramos and Adriana Ernst.
Honoring The Ones We’ve Lost on Día de los Muertos by Jaylene Canales
Celebrating Day of the Dead by Leticia Vazquez-Smith of Latino Arts for Humanity
Day of the Dead from a CMA Member’s Perspective by Stella Villalba
Community Events
Day of the Dead Columbus
October 19, 10:00 AM–6:30 PM
Greenlawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave.
Join Latino Arts for Humanity on October 19, 2024, at the historic Green Lawn Cemetery for a free event celebrating culture, remembrance, and community.
Day of the Dead Columbus is a vibrant and meaningful event that’s been celebrated in Columbus since 1999! It’s a celebration dedicated to honoring and celebrating our departed loved ones. It’s not just a festival; it’s an opportunity to experience the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, just as it’s celebrated in Mexico.
Gente Indigena Collective’s Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
November 8, 5:00–9:00 PM
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Healthy Community Center, 1600 East Long Street
A celebration of life and death. Featuring food, music, spoken word, fire ceremony, a community alter, devotion, offerings, pictures. Free admission and all ages are welcome.
