Before you can throw an authentic Day of the Dead party, you may want to know a little bit about this beautiful Mexican holiday. We’ll give you a brief history lesson and then get into the details of throwing a truly authentic celebration!
What is the Day of the Dead?
El Día de Los Muertos, or “The Day of the Dead,” is celebrated on November 1. It originated as a Mexican holiday but is also celebrated throughout other countries in Latin America.
While the name sounds a bit spooky, don’t confuse it with a Halloween party. It’s actually a day of spirited festivities that honor family and friends who have passed on. Rather than being sad about lost loved ones, they see it as a day to celebrate with festivals and parties.
Celebrators truly believe that the dead would be insulted by their mourning or sadness, so the living partake in food, drink, and activities that the deceased enjoyed in life. Filled with mariachi music, singing, and dancing, a Día de los Muertos party is a way to honor death as a natural part of life rather than spending it in sadness.
Elements of a Day of the Dead Party
From sugar skulls to marigolds to altars, there are several symbols and traditions you may want to include in your party if you want it to be an authentic Day of the Dead celebration.
Skulls and Skeletons
The iconic skull, or Calaveras, is a staple at an authentic celebration. Skeletons, or calacas, are another element found throughout the decor, masks, and candy. The traditional sugar skulls originated years ago because of the abundance of sugar crops in Mexico.
They are given as gifts to the living or left on altars for family members who have passed. Though the name is deceiving, these types of sugar skulls are not made to be eaten but rather an art piece. Skulls can also be made out of clay, and the artistic freedom is endless!
Try making sugar skulls ahead of time and then offering a decorating station at your party! They make perfect party favors and double as Day of the Dead decorations. If you’re not feeling that crafty, printable sugar skull coloring pages are an easier alternative.
In Mexico, the tradition of wearing skull masks has gone on for decades. You can wear a mask if you’d like or simply use face paint to create a skull. If you don’t trust your own skills, book a local face painter to help make it perfect!
You can also wear a colorful costume or bright clothing to represent the happy occasion. Either is a great way to express your festive side at your authentic Day of the Dead party!
💀 Add themed desserts: A Day of the Dead party is all about sweet treats and celebrating! Make these sugar skull cookies from Sweet Sugarbelle.
Marigolds
Marigolds are very important and should absolutely be included in your Day of the Dead party ideas. During the celebration, it is believed that the dead are visiting the living.
Because of this, families build brightly decorated altars in their homes covered in paper flowers and fresh marigolds. According to Latin cultural beliefs, marigolds guide the spirits to the altar using their strong scent and bright colors! A local florist can help you source fresh flowers for your party if needed.
If you cannot find live marigolds for your table or altar, you can make your own out of tissue paper. In fact, this is a tradition on its own, so you’ll be even more authentic this way.
🍹 Offer festive drinks: Did you know marigolds are edible? This amazing drink, Marigold Muerte, infuses simple syrup with real marigolds and another Dia de Los Muertos staple — tequila.
Altars for Loved Ones
Lastly, no authentic Day of the Dead party would be complete without the reason for the celebration! And that’s remembering loved ones who have passed on. Families in Latin America build beautiful, elaborate altars dedicated to the memory of the deceased.
The altars are filled with marigolds, candles, favorite food and drink, photos, and other memorabilia. Another interesting item is a full glass of water to help quench the spirits’ thirst after the long journey from the afterlife. You can be creative with this of course, but the main thing is to express your love and remembrance for those who have passed on.
Every altar needs some traditional Pan de Muertos, or Bread of the Dead. If you’d like, you can mold the bread into animal shapes or an angel to help personalize it for your loved ones. Pan de Muertos has an interesting blend of flavor with anise seed and an orange zest glaze. Break bread with your friends and family as you honor those who’ve passed.
At the end of the day, a Day of the Dead party is just that, a celebration! Gather your loved ones, living and passed, and enjoy this joyous occasion of remembrance. 🧡
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.