Cheekwood Estate & Gardens will host its 27th annual El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Click for More Events
The two-day festival celebrates the traditions of Mexico and Latin America, honoring loved ones who have passed away through music, dance, art and cultural activities.
The event will feature traditional music and dance performances, community altars known as ofrendas, large-scale murals created by Nashville-area students, artisan vendors and traditional food.
“At its heart, this is a celebration of family, community, love, and remembrance,” said Arcelia Vázquez, a member of Cheekwood’s El Día de los Muertos Advisory Committee. “It honors the tradition of welcoming back, for a brief reunion, the souls of ancestors and loved ones who have passed away.”
Visitors can explore memorial altars decorated with photographs, flowers and personal items inside Massey Auditorium. A Memory Tree will also allow guests to honor loved ones by sharing names and memories.
Live entertainment on the Arboretum Lawn will include performances by Danza Azteca Guadalupana, Grupo Folklórico Raíces de mi Tierra, De Agave y Son and other musicians and dancers. A La Catrinas fashion show will take place both afternoons.
Family-friendly activities at the Frist Learning Center will include creating paper marigold flower crowns, monarch butterfly crafts and papel picado decorations. Guests can also view murals created by area middle and high school students and take photos with Catrina and Catrin skeleton puppets.
Local artists, restaurants and bakeries will offer handmade items, jewelry, gifts and traditional foods throughout the weekend.
Cheekwood first introduced its Día de los Muertos celebration in 2000 to recognize Nashville’s growing Hispanic community. The event continues to be developed with guidance from members of the local Hispanic community.
Admission is free for Cheekwood members and children ages 17 and younger. Non-member adult tickets range from $18 to $23 and include access to the Historic Mansion & Museum.
Cheekwood is located at 1200 Forrest Park Drive in Nashville. For tickets and more information, visit cheekwood.org.
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