CHICAGO — Chicagoans are preparing to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
The Mexican holiday, which translates to Day of the Dead in English, honors people who have died and is celebrated Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
Here are a few ways you can celebrate:
Southwest Collective Dia De Los Muertos
12-2 p.m. Saturday
United Credit Union parking lot, 4444 S. Pulaski Road
Community group Southwest Collective is hosting a free neighborhood event with a costume contest, trunk or treat, ofrenda and crafts.
St. Procopious Dia De Los Muertos
12-8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday
St. Procopious Soccer Field, 16th Street and Racine Avenue
Pilsen’s St. Procopious Providence of God Church is hosting a free community event with traditional folklórico music, ofrendas, local food vendors and artisan stands.
El Valor Dia De Los Muertos
4-7 p.m. Wednesday
El Valor, 1924 W. 21st St.
Come dressed as a catrina and bring photos of your lost loved ones to put on the ofrenda at this event by Pilsen nonprofit El Valor.
44th Annual Muertos De La Risa Procession
3-7 p.m. Thursday
Dvorak Park, 1119 W. Cullerton St.
The Muertos De La Risa Procession is one of the city’s oldest Dia de los Muertos events. It’s free and family-friendly, with face painting, art activities, live performances and community ofrendas. People are encouraged to dress in holiday attire and bring their own mobile ofrenda.
The event is organized by arts group ElevArte, SGA Youth and Family Services and After School Matters.
Midway Chamber of Commerce Dia De Los Muertos
12-8 p.m. Saturday
Wentworth Park, 5625 S. Mobile Ave.
This is the first Garfield Ridge Dia de los Muertos event, offering a community altar, live music, art, face painting, food vendors, hot chocolate and pan de muerto.
Spectate The Carrera De Los Muertos 5K
8 a.m. Saturday
Benito Juarez Community Academy, 2150 S. Laflin St.
The Carrera de los Muertos 5K is back and ready to take runners through the streets of Pilsen.
Race tickets are sold out, but you can find a course map here to find a place to cheer on the runners.
La Ronda Parakata Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
1-4 p.m. Saturday
La Ronaa Parakata Gathering Space, south of 31st Street Harbor, on the lakefront
There will be music, dancing, art installations, face-painting and more at this annual event. Folks can also contribute to a community ofrenda with a cherished object or photo of a lost loved one.
The event is made possible by a collaboration of artists Héctor Duarte and Alfonso “Piloto” Nieves, Casa Michoacán, Northeastern Illinois University, UIC Plant Research Greenhouse, Women for Green Spaces, the Nature Conservancy, the Park District and the Field Museum.
Día de los Muertos Xicágo
3-8 p.m. Sunday
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
In honor of Día de los Muertos, enjoy a free community celebration with ofrendas created by community members, live music performances, art activities and a large illuminated ofrenda projected outside of the museum.
Día De Muertos Exhibition
Through Dec. 10
National Museum of Mexican Art, 1852 W. 19th St.
This 37th annual Day of the Dead exhibition will commemorate the lives of distinguished artists and friends who have passed, women around the world who have been violated, disappeared or murdered, and the victims of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. There will be flowers, food and drinks at this event honoring loved ones who have died.
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