A traditional Mexican holiday of celebration and tribute to loved ones who have passed on, Día De Los Muertos – or Day of the Dead – is fast approaching. And Miami has some big festivities planned. From giant skulls to face painting and special cocktails, here are a handful of ways to celebrate the holiday, which commences each year on October 31 through November 2.
1. Celebrate with a magical candlelight concert
Sit back and take in classics from Día De Los Muertos: Celebrating the Day of the Dead in flickering candlelight. For one night only, popular Oaxacan songs like “La Martiniana” and “Remember Me” from the film Coco will be performed by a talented string quartet in the historic Coral Gables Congregational Church. Click here to get tickets to the concert on November 2.
Where: 3010 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134
2. See a six-foot-tall skull made entirely of flowers at Downtown Doral
If you’re looking for a vibrant and colorful celebration, visit Downtown Doral on October 26 to meet Flora, a mesmerizing six-foot-tall skull made entirely of flowers! She’ll be there for their grand celebration on Saturday, October 29th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. where you’ll get to interact and take photos with live Catrinas, collect delicious treats and enjoy special offerings from our many restaurants. Plus, you’ll get to take pictures with Flora before she goes back home on November 2!
Where: 8551 NW 53rd St, Doral, FL 33166
3. Check out CityPlace Doral’s vibrant skull decorations
CityPlace Doral is adorned in painted skulls, colorful banners, marigolds and more throughout its center. But the installation is not just for show. On Saturday, November 5, they’ll be celebrating their first-ever Día de los Muertos event with everything from face painting and food sampling to performances by folkloric dancers, stilt walkers, mariachis and costumed characters. The celebration will run from 4 to 7 p.m. and everyone’s encouraged to dress in theme!
Where: 8300 NW 36th St, Doral, FL 33166
4. Sip on delicious cocktails at Chotto Matte
Toast to the family and friends you miss the most and join Chotto Matte in a colorful night of remembrance. On Saturday, October 29, the restaurant will be hosting a Night of Immortal Souls party with eye-catching decor and electrifying live entertainment complete with food & drink specials curated just for the occasion. Make sure you’re wearing your best Día de los Muertos-inspired attire to the festivities, which start at 7 p.m.!
Where: 1666 Lenox Ave. #1664, Miami Beach, FL 33139
5. Head down to Bodega de los Muertos
What better way to celebrate a Mexican tradition than at a Mexican street taqueria? Bodega Taqueria y Tequila are hosting their annual Día de los Muertos party, designed to be a fully immersive experience. Held all weekend-long, Oct. 28-29, don your deadliest attire and make your way past what looks like a restroom door to their speakeasy lounge and dance like your life depends on it! Expect bone-chilling drink specials, live DJs and more.
Where: Bodega’s Coconut Grove, South Beach, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach locations (click here to see them all)
6. Join the annual Florida Day of the Dead Festival
The biggest Day of the Dead Festival is actually held in Fort Lauderdale! This year’s celebration will take place Saturday, November 5, beginning in Huizenga Plaza on Las Olas Boulevard at 4 p.m. There will be talented artists, mariachi musicians, craft activities (mask and puppet-making and sugar skull face painting), Aztec and Mayan performers, folkloric showcases, giant skulls and so much more!
Where: 32 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
7. Take a Mexican culinary journey at Toro Toro
Toro Toro is highlighting the importance of bringing families together through food, drinks and sharing with a Día de Los Muertos culinary campaign. Running now through Sunday, November 6, the Pan-Latin chophouse & bar is featuring a menu of specials with a cultural significance to the celebration, including ‘tortilla talavera’ with green pipian, white mole, grilled cheese, shimeji mushroom al ajillo, cherry tomato salad and ‘seafood pozole verde’ featuring baby squid, shrimp, clams, white corn and marigold cempazuchitl oil. For drinks, Toro Toro will have specialty cocktails like ‘vanilla smoke’ and ‘pineapple mezcal sour.’
Where: 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, FL 33131