A Colorful, Lively Celebration of Life
On November 1, the “Night of the Angels”, the Living Arts & Science Center will present the 14th annual Day of the Dead Festival with a celebration at the Living Arts & Science Center as well as at the Old Episcopal Burying Ground at the corner of E. 3rd Street and Elm Tree Lane. This event is a fun, participatory experience for the entire family.
The Day of the Dead Festival is a true community event bringing together individuals, groups, students, and teachers from the Latino and non-Latino communities. Join the celebration and experience the rich visual, musical, dance, and culinary traditions of this holiday that is celebrated in Mexico and parts of Central and South America. The Festival will include live music and dance performances, traditional food, hands-on crafts, art exhibitions, a candlelight parade, and an exhibition of altars in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground.
New this year, welcome our friends from Lexington Children’s Theatre with excerpts from their play la ofrenda by Jose Casas.
Crafts for the evening include decorating sugar skulls, Monarch butterflies on a stick, skull masks, flower crowns, cork skulls, sand murals and face painting.
Entertainers include Casa de la Cultura de Ky with traditional dance and costume, Matachines dancers, excerpts from la ofrenda by Jose Casas performed by Lexington Children’s Theatre, Mariachi, Bryan Station Dancers. Exhibition of altars at Christ Church Cathedral‘s Old Episcopal Burying Ground
Event is FREE, $2 suggested donations
Food available for purchase
Sugar Skull decorating $3 per skull
Face painting $5 all ages
Thanks to our fabulous sponsors and partners that help make this event happen. University of Kentucky Community Engagement, Lexington Community Radio, LexArts and Kentucky Arts Council
DAY OF THE DEAD EXHIBITIONS
The LASC’s annual Day of the Dead exhibits brings together the rich visual traditions of this holiday that celebrates the memories of family, friends and other public figures. Presented in conjunction with our Day of the Dead Festival, these exhibits generally feature artists of Latino heritage or artists that make work in response to the Mexican celebration Dia de los Muertos. The exhibitions featured during this year’s Day of the Dead Festival are as follows:
Latino Arts BLEND
Experience the rich culture and variety of the Latin-American community in this lively cultural exhibit! Held in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage month and the LASC’s Day of the Dead Festival, this year the Living Arts and Science Center will host this unique annual exhibition that celebrates Latino art and culture.
Community Schools Arts Project 2019
Every autumn, millions of beautiful orange and black monarchs flock to Mexico to avoid the cold weather of the North. Their migration coincides with El Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). The Ancient Aztecs of Central Mexico believed that the monarch butterflies were the returning souls of their fallen warriors and that they should be honored. Day of the Dead is a joyous time when the souls of loved ones are remembered and rejoiced. For this year’s Day of the Dead Festival, community schools will create and decorate monarch butterflies that will be affixed to the fence surrounding the Old Episcopal Burying Ground.
To find out more information about the Community Schools Arts Project or to participate please click here.
An Invitation to Create an Altar
Artists, community groups and individuals: Join the celebration by creating an altar in remembrance of something or someone important to you.
Click here to view the invitation in English.
Haga clic aquí para ver la invitación en Español.
Traditional food from area restaurants will be available for purchase at the LASC. The LASC will also serve complimentary pan de muertos, the traditional bread of the dead.
$2 suggested donation per person. Sugar skulls available to decorate and take home for an additional fee.
Activities are indoors and outdoors, event will take place rain or shine.
Kentucky.com’s coverage of the 2017 event with photos and video.
2017 event coverage from LaVoz
Day of the Dead Apparel
Browse a selection of t-shirts featuring designs by local artists Augustin Zarate, Patrick Smith, and Steven Littrell. Shirts will also be available for purchased at the Festival, while supplies last. Limited sizes and quantities available.
Click here to shop Day of the Dead Apparel.