Feliz Día de los Muertos! Where to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Fort Worth
October 12,2023
See full Fort Worth Star-Telegram article by Brayden Garcia here.
Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is nearly upon us and Fort Worth has parties and places for celebrants to be for the holiday.
The Mexican holiday origin dates back thousands of years and is an annual celebration where families honor the souls of their deceased relatives. The holiday is celebrated on Nov. 1- 2, with food, drink and celebrations.
Fort Worth has plenty of Día de los Muertos festivities planned.
20TH ANNUAL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS PARADE AND FESTIVAL
Artes de la Rosa is hosting their 20th annual Día de los Muertos parade and festival Oct. 28.
The parade will kick off the day, followed by the festival which will have food, visual artists and face painting. The parade will start at North Main Street and continue south through the Stockyards to its final destination in Marine Park.
Festival entertainment include mariachis, ballet folkorico and opera performers. Those attending the festival are encouraged to wear traditional Día de los Muertos attire.
When: 10-11 a.m. parade, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. festival Oct. 28
Where: Marine Park, 303 NW. 20th St.
Cost: Free
LA CATRINA CONTEST IN SUNDANCE SQUARE
Sundance Square store Collección Mexicana is hosting a La Catrina contest on Oct. 28.
La Calavera Catrina or simply La Catrina means the “elegant skull” in Spanish and is a signature image associated with Día de los Muertos. La Catrina has many looks, but is essentially a skull with flowers and other designs.
Besides the La Catrina contest, the event will feature food, music and culture. First place in the La Catrina contest wins you a $1,000 prize.
When: 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28
Where: Sundance Square plaza, 425 Houston St.
Cost: Free
LA GRAN PLAZA DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
Shopping mall La Gran Plaza is hosting its own Día de los Muertos celeberation on Oct. 29.
The shopping mall, which has over 175 stores, will have an altar in its main stage where ceremonial dances will be performed. Visitors are encouraged to dress up for the holiday.
When: 1 p.m. on Oct. 29
Where: 4200 South Freeway
Cost: Free
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS EVENTS AT FORT WORTH LIBRARY
The Fort Worth Public Library is hosting several Día de los Muertos events in the coming weeks.
Visitors will get to paint and decorate their own sugar skull to celebrate and show appreciation for loved ones who have passed. Sugar skulls are staples of Día de los Muertos and used for decoration around altars.
The free events have something for the whole family.
Ridglea Library: 5-6 p.m. on Oct. 12 at 3628 Bernie Anderson Ave.
Wedgewood Library: 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at 3816 Kimberly Lane
Meadowbrook Library: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 1 at 2800 Stark St.
East Regional: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 1-2 at 6301 Bridge St.
Summerglen Library: 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at 4205 Basswood Blvd.
TORO TORO SPECIAL DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS MENU
Chef Richard Sandoval at Toro Toro has a special Día de los Muertos menu planned.
The special menu is available now and until Nov. 5 at Toro Toro Fort Worth. One available entree is empanadas de Muertos, which includes chicken tinga, queso fresco, cream fresca and an avocado-cilantro puree.
Another special entree is filet en mole negro, a 7 ounce beef tenderloin with mole negro, heirloom carrot, butternut squash puree, marigold and microgreens.
Cocktails on the menu include a marigold spritz and blood orange margarita. For dessert, enjoy carmelized pumpkin crema, a pumpkin custard with caramelized pumpkin seeds, marigold and vanilla ice cream.
When: Dinner hours, 5-10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday to Saturday.
Where: 200 Main St., Suite B
Cost: Regular food prices for items in the Día de los Muertos menu.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS AT FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is hosting a Día de los Muertos event in its Rose Garden.
Visitors can see 46,000 marigolds rolled into a carpet down the Rose Garden stairs. Marigold flowers are believed to help deceased ancestors find their way home to their family’s “ofrendas” or altars, according to the garden.
The Día de los Muertos event is included with garden ticket admission which is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors age 65 or older and $5 for children between 6 and 15. General admission tickets are available online.
When: Oct. 28-Nov. 2
Where: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
Cost: $5-12 depending on age
PACOS’S MEXICAN CUISINE DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION
Paco’s Mexican Cuisine is hosting a Día de los Muertos Mercado Oct. 29
The special event will see over 20 local vendors spread out across the restaurant, ranging from clothing to home goods.
When: 8 p.m.-midnight Oct. 29
Where: 1508 W. Magnolia Ave.
Cost: Free
FORT WORTH GALA FOR THE HISPANIC WOMEN’S NETWORK OF TEXAS
The Fort Worth chapter of the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas is celebrating its 11th annual gala in a few weeks.
With over 140 members, the Fort Worth chapter works to promote, support and offer resources to the Hispanic community. This year marks 11 years for the chapter and they’re celebrating with a gala full of food, fun and culture.
The gala is called “Hasta Los Muertos Bailan” or “even the dead dance” and is the chapter’s biggest fundraising event of the year. Tickets are available for the gala and cost $160 a piece.
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 4
Where: Fort Worth Masonic Temple, 1100 Henderson St.
Cost: $160 a ticket
Locations Mentioned: Colección Mexicana, Paco's Mexican Cuisine and Cantina, Sundance Square Plaza, Toro Toro