Dayton Dia De Muertos (Day of the Dead) Parade and Celebration

Dia de Muertos is a unique and colorful holiday observed across Mexico, the southwestern United States, Latin America and right here in Dayton, Ohio. During Dia De Muertos people reminisce on the lives of loved ones who have died by creating and sharing ofrendas (Day of the Dead alters), food, sugar skulls, papel picado banners, processions, calaveras (skulls) music, traditional dance while wearing sugar skull painted faces and bright costumes.

The Dayton parade and celebration will include all of these traditional Mexican traditions with some unique Gem City twists.

Expect more than a thousand people to participate in this free and family friendly event. October 21^st 2 – 8 PM.

2 pm Gather for the Pre-Parade activities at the Yellow Cab 700 E. 4th Street Dayton, OH 45402. There will be storytelling, games, Rev. Cool of WYSO spinning Latin music, great food, expert face painting and the NEW Dayton Dia De Muertos T-shirt for sale.

4 pm The Dayton Dia De Muertos Parade departs the Yellow Cab and loops through the Oregon District in Downtown Dayton to trek down the middle of E. Fifth Street and back to the Yellow Cab.

The celebration begins when the parade returns to the Yellow Cab Tavern:

Authentic Mexican folkloric Dia De Muertos dancers from ORGULLO MEXICANO
Traditional rancheros from the father and daughter singing team of LESLIE PEREZ AND THE ALACRAN DE DURANGO
Dayton’s own famed and mysterious original Lucha mask-wearing rockers TEAM VOID.
REV. COOL of WYSO’s Around the Fringe show will MC the event and DJ high energy traditional and not so tradition Latin dance beats between sets and to end up the evening.

Traditional homemade Mexican food will be provided by the families of St. Mary’s Church on Xenia Ave in Dayton. El Meson’s food truck will also be there.

Traditional Dia De Muertos ofrendas (alters) will also be on display.