The Cleveland Public Theatre and Día de Muertos Ohio hosted the 22nd annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 1 at Cleveland’s Gordon Square Arts District, drawing crowds for a day of remembrance and vibrant cultural traditions.
The day-long celebration honored ancestors, family, friends and pets who have passed on.
The event featured a folk art market, musical performances and community altars. Each year, eight artists are selected to create the "ofrendas" or altars, memorials that tell a story of the person. This year an altar was also dedicated to lost pets.
Many attendees were dressed in colorful outfits and traditional skull makeup, as it’s said that the apparel prevents the dead from taking people as they walk among us.
The Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT) also promoted its upcoming events and plays, including The Dark Room and ¡Obras En Evolucion 2025!, A Festival of New Lay Readings.
“I think for me it's always been something I've celebrated growing up with my family from Mexico and for me, it's just a way to honor and remember my abuela's in particular, who has passed already,” said Alejandro Martinez, a CPT employee. “Day of the Dead is about remembering those memories and the impact of those that have passed.”
Mariachi Bands and other performers played music throughout the event while many vendors at the Folk art Market sold sugar skulls, art, and gave people free face paint. Attendees were also given an option to donate to help support activities provided at Cleveland Public Square.
Local restaurants and food trucks like Freaky Fruits and La Katrina Mexican Cuisine did a brisk business throughout the day.
The main event was the Skeleton Procession, a parade at 3:30 p.m. that participants could join freely. It featured floats, women dancing in folklorico dresses, and mariachi bands.
“It’s my first time being here and the parade was pretty short but amazing and the energy was just contagious,” attendee Sofia Reyes said. “It felt like the whole neighborhood came out to celebrate together even and it was nice to just relax with all the chaos happening in the U.S.”
Amid a national climate of immigration concerns, volunteers handed out red cards in Spanish and English informing people of their rights, regardless of immigration status. For example, if an immigrant is approached by an ICE agent, the red card advises them to say, “I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights during the encounter.”
Cleveland's 23rd annual Día de los Muertos event will be held on Nov.1, 2026.
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