El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, returns to Cheekwood Estate & Gardens with the sights, sounds and flavors of the Latin American holiday when families celebrate the souls of deceased relatives.
During this special 25th annual event, guests can learn about the culture of Mexico and Latin America while visiting community altars, viewing large-scale murals created by area middle and high school students, sampling authentic cuisine from local restaurants and bakers, shopping for traditional goods, enjoying hands-on activities for kids, and experiencing a variety of dance and musical performances.
El Día de los Muertos at Cheekwood will be held November 2 and 3 from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Day of the Dead is one of the most important celebrations in Mexico and Latin America and demonstrates the culture’s strong sense of love and respect for ancestors while celebrating the continuance of life.
Cheekwood’s celebration started in 2000, in recognition of the growing Hispanic community in Nashville. The first festival featured just five hours of programming, but quickly grew in popularity through the years. The hours were eventually extended, and more performers and vendors were added to become the much-loved two-day festival it is today.
Throughout the 25-year history of the event, Cheekwood has collaborated with an Advisory Committee featuring members of the Hispanic community to ensure the event is respectful and authentic. In 2023, Cheekwood was recognized for its contributions to the Hispanic community and received the Bridges in Art, Culture & Community Service Award from the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“Day of the Dead at Cheekwood is a celebration in which you can learn, appreciate and experience the ways Mexican culture involves family and friends welcoming back the souls of their ancestors and loved ones who passed away,” said Arcelia Vázquez, a member of the Advisory Committee for Cheekwood’s El Día de Los Muertos celebration. “It’s about the things you can’t see, like love, loss and keeping loved ones alive through memories. We hope Nashville will come and participate in this magical experience with us.”
The event is free for Cheekwood members and children ages 17 and under. Tickets cost
$20 for adult non-members. Tickets can be reserved at <cheekwood.org/calendarevents/el-dia-de-los-muertos/>
