Día de Muertos

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians & Western Art is hosting its Día de Muertos celebration on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 AM to 7 PM. The museum is at 500 W. Washington St. in White River State Park, and admission is free. The day is presented with community partners Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural.

If you're not familiar with the holiday, Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, has roots going back thousands of years to Indigenous traditions in Mexico. It's a time to gather and remember friends and relatives who have passed, and it's evolved into a diverse festival celebrated not only in Mexico but in the U.S. and many other countries. The Eiteljorg's celebration is a good place to learn about the Indigenous history behind it.

The day itself is full of things to do. There are performances and demonstrations throughout the museum, and a Desfile de Catrinas—a Catrina parade—where people dress up as the iconic skeletal figures of the holiday. There's also a market supporting local artists, so you can browse and buy from makers in the community.

Beyond the one-day celebration, the museum is hosting a community art and altars exhibit. The altars, or ofrendas, are curated by community organizations and Arte Mexicano en Indiana, and they run from Oct. 10 through Nov. 2, so you can visit them even if you can't make it on the 24th. The main celebration is Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 AM to 7 PM, with free admission.