One of the most traditional and celebratory holidays has arrived in Mexico known as Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. 

The traditional holiday comes around each year on Nov.1st-2nd and it is celebrated to welcome back the souls of loved ones that have passed away for a brief reunion, which includes food, drinks, and celebration. 

The Day of the Dead dates back 3,000 years to honor those who have passed. It is widely popular in Mexico, however, it has also been recognized in other countries such as the U.S because of Mexican heritage or descent. 

People acknowledge the holiday by putting pictures of passed family members and friends on an “ofrenda” or an at-home altar. The pictures are surrounded by colors, candles that are lit, food such as Tamales, Mole, sweet bread, and the traditional Dia de los Muertos flower, the Marigold.  

On the Day of the Dead, it is believed that the gate between the world of the dead and the world of the living is open and all of these customary elements are supposed to guide loved ones to find their way back to their present families based on certain scents, colors, and sound. 

The holiday has also inspired many different things such as the movie CoCo and the Book of Life. The Day of the Dead plays a major role in both movies because it shows how people celebrate the holiday and the traditions surrounding the holiday. The movie talks about its tradition, and it also presents what the “afterlife” is like for people who have passed away. 

As the holiday goes on you see people start to unite because people are remembering, celebrating, and also mourning those who have passed. To see the holiday being celebrated live, go to Sam Houston Park in Downtown, for the annual Dia de los Muertos parade and festival on Saturday, Nov. 5th free of charge.