How to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Fort Worth

Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a deeply meaningful Mexican tradition that honors deceased loved ones through vibrant altars, symbolic offerings, music, art, and communal remembrance. While rooted in ancient Indigenous rituals of Mesoamerica and later blended with Catholic influences, this celebration has evolved into a powerful cultural expression of love, memory, and continuity beyond death. In Fort Worth, Texas—a city with deep Mexican-American roots and a thriving Latino community—Dia de los Muertos is not just observed; it is celebrated with authenticity, pride, and public participation that rivals traditions in Oaxaca or Mexico City.

Unlike Halloween, which often focuses on fear and the macabre, Dia de los Muertos embraces death as a natural part of life. It is a time to welcome back the spirits of ancestors with joy, color, and devotion. In Fort Worth, this celebration has grown into a citywide phenomenon, blending cultural preservation with community engagement. From public altars in City Hall to educational workshops in local schools, the city offers countless opportunities to participate meaningfully.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Fort Worth—whether you’re a longtime resident, a newcomer to the region, or simply someone drawn to its beauty and depth. You’ll learn how to create an ofrenda (altar), where to attend public events, how to honor your loved ones respectfully, and how to engage with the local community in ways that honor the tradition’s origins.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Meaning and Origins

Before building an altar or attending a festival, take time to learn the cultural significance of Dia de los Muertos. It is not a Mexican version of Halloween. It is a syncretic tradition combining Aztec rituals honoring Mictecacihuatl, the Lady of the Dead, with Spanish Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. The belief is that during the first few days of November, the veil between the living and the dead grows thin, and spirits return to visit their families.

Each element of the celebration carries symbolic meaning:

• Marigolds (cempasúchil) – Their bright orange color and strong scent guide spirits home.
• Candles – Represent light, hope, and guidance for the souls.
• Incense (copal) – Purifies the space and carries prayers upward.
• Photos of the deceased – Help identify and welcome specific spirits.
• Food and drinks – Favorite meals and beverages of the departed are offered as nourishment for their journey.
• Papel picado – Delicate cut-paper banners symbolize the fragility of life.
• Sugar skulls (calaveras) – Represent the departed and are often inscribed with names.

Understanding these symbols transforms your participation from superficial decoration to sacred practice.

Step 2: Create a Personal Ofrenda (Altar)

The ofrenda is the heart of Dia de los Muertos. It can be as simple as a small table in your home or as elaborate as a multi-tiered shrine. Here’s how to build one in Fort Worth, using locally accessible materials.

Choose a location: Find a quiet, respectful space in your home—perhaps a side table, shelf, or corner of your living room. Avoid placing it near high-traffic areas or in bathrooms.

Build the structure: Traditionally, altars have two to four levels, representing the earth, purgatory, heaven, and the underworld. Use books, wooden crates, or boxes to create tiers. Cover them with a cloth—white for purity, or vibrant colors like purple and orange.

Gather essential items:

• Photos of loved ones who have passed—preferably framed or printed on paper.
• Candles (white or colored). Use real beeswax or soy candles for authenticity.
• Marigolds. Purchase fresh flowers at Fort Worth’s La Tiendita de Flores on South Lamar Street or El Mercado de la 8 on West Seventh Street.
• Papel picado. You can buy pre-cut banners at El Mercado de la 8 or make your own using tissue paper and scissors.
• Incense. Copal resin can be found at La Casa de los Milagros on North Main Street or ordered online from Mexican artisan shops.
• Food offerings. Prepare the deceased’s favorite dishes—tamales, mole, pan de muerto, or even a simple bowl of their favorite fruit. Include a glass of water, tequila, or atole.
• Sugar skulls. Make your own using molds and royal icing, or buy hand-painted ones from local artisans at the Dia de los Muertos Festival at the Fort Worth Cultural District.

Arrange with intention: Place photos at the center. Surround them with candles on either side. Place food and drink on the lowest tier. Scatter marigold petals along the path leading to the altar. Hang papel picado above. Light the candles and incense daily from October 28 through November 2.

Step 3: Attend Public Celebrations in Fort Worth

Fort Worth hosts some of the most authentic and inclusive Dia de los Muertos events in North Texas. Here are the key locations and events to attend:

• Dia de los Muertos Festival at the Fort Worth Cultural District – Held annually on the first weekend of November, this free, family-friendly event features live music, traditional dance performances (including Danza Azteca), art installations, face painting, and dozens of local vendors selling crafts, food, and ofrenda supplies. The event is hosted by the Fort Worth Arts Council and draws over 10,000 attendees each year.
• El Mercado de la 8 Community Altar – Located in the historic West 7th Street district, this community altar is built collaboratively by local families. Visitors are invited to add photos, notes, or small mementos. The altar remains open for public viewing from October 25 through November 5.
• Tarrant County College (TCC) Dia de los Muertos Exhibition – TCC’s art department hosts an annual exhibition featuring student-created ofrendas, paintings, and sculptures. The event includes educational panels and storytelling circles where community members share memories of their loved ones.
• Fort Worth Museum of Science and History – Offers interactive workshops on the science of decomposition, the history of Mesoamerican civilizations, and hands-on craft stations for children. The museum’s “Memory and Meaning” exhibit runs throughout October and November.
• La Casa de los Milagros Cultural Center – Hosts intimate candlelight vigils, poetry readings in Spanish and English, and traditional music performances featuring mariachi and son jarocho ensembles.

Check the official websites of these institutions for exact dates and times. Many events are free and open to the public, but some require RSVPs due to space limitations.

Step 4: Participate in Community Art Projects

One of the most powerful ways to engage with Dia de los Muertos in Fort Worth is through collaborative art. Each year, local organizations invite residents to contribute to large-scale installations:

• Calavera Mural Project – Organized by the Fort Worth Public Art Program, this project invites community members to paint a sugar skull on a canvas that becomes part of a giant wall mural in the Cultural District. No artistic experience is required—materials and guidance are provided.
• Letters to the Departed – At the Fort Worth Public Library’s Central Branch, a “Memory Wall” is set up where people can write letters to loved ones who have passed. These letters are collected and placed in a time capsule to be opened on the next Dia de los Muertos.
• Marigold Path Installation – Volunteers help lay thousands of marigold petals along the sidewalk from the Cultural District to the Tarrant County Courthouse, creating a luminous path for spirits to follow. This symbolic act is performed on November 1 at dusk.

These projects are deeply moving and foster a sense of collective healing and remembrance. Participation is open to all ages and backgrounds.

Step 5: Prepare Traditional Foods

Food is a vital bridge between the living and the dead. Preparing traditional dishes honors the tastes and memories of those who are no longer here. Here are three essential recipes to make at home:

Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1/2 tsp anise seeds (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• For topping: 2 tbsp melted butter, 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon

Instructions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk. Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt, and anise seeds. Make a well in the center.
3. Add yeast mixture, eggs, melted butter, and orange zest. Knead for 10 minutes until smooth.
4. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1–2 hours, until doubled.
5. Shape into a round loaf. Form a ball from a small portion of dough and place it on top to represent a skull. Create four “bones” radiating outward.
6. Let rise again for 30 minutes.
7. Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes until golden.
8. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with sugar-cinnamon mixture.

Serve warm with hot chocolate or atole.

Atol de Elote (Sweet Corn Drink)

Ingredients:

• 4 ears fresh corn (or 2 cups frozen)
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup masa harina
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Remove kernels from corn and blend with water until smooth.
2. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove solids.
3. In a saucepan, combine strained liquid, masa harina, sugar, and cinnamon stick.
4. Stir constantly over medium heat until thickened (about 10 minutes).
5. Remove cinnamon stick. Stir in vanilla.
6. Serve warm.

Tamales

While tamales require more time, they are a cherished offering. You can find tamal-making classes at La Cocina de la Abuela in the Near Southside neighborhood. Classes are held weekly in October and include instruction on preparing masa, filling with chicken mole or rajas con crema, and wrapping in corn husks.

Step 6: Light a Candle and Say a Name

At the end of each day during the celebration period, light a candle for someone you’ve lost. Say their name aloud. Share a memory—what they loved, how they laughed, what they taught you. This simple act is the most profound form of remembrance.

Many families in Fort Worth gather in their backyards or on balconies at 7 p.m. on November 1 to light candles and call out names. Some neighborhoods, like the Near Southside and West 7th, have informal gatherings where residents bring candles, music, and food to share.

Best Practices

Respect Cultural Origins

Dia de los Muertos is not a costume party. Avoid wearing skeleton face paint as “Halloween makeup.” Do not wear sombreros or fake mustaches. These caricatures reduce a sacred tradition to a stereotype. Instead, if you wish to wear traditional clothing, consider a simple white blouse with lace trim or a dark skirt—modest, respectful, and inspired by Mexican rural attire.

Use Authentic Materials

When possible, source your supplies from local Mexican or Latinx-owned businesses. Buying marigolds from a chain grocery store is acceptable, but purchasing them from El Mercado de la 8 or La Tiendita de Flores supports the community and ensures you’re getting fresh, culturally appropriate blooms.

Include All Loved Ones

Dia de los Muertos is not limited to family members. You can honor friends, mentors, pets, or even public figures who have inspired you. The altar is a personal space—there are no rules about who qualifies as “worthy” of remembrance.

Teach Children with Sensitivity

Children are central to the celebration. Explain death as a natural part of life, not something to fear. Use age-appropriate books like “The Day of the Dead” by Bob Barner or “Carmela Full of Wishes” by Matt de la Peña. Let them help decorate sugar skulls or draw pictures of their loved ones.

Be Mindful of Photography

Many families create private altars in their homes. Always ask permission before photographing someone else’s ofrenda. Public events are fine to photograph, but avoid taking close-ups of people in prayer or mourning without consent.

Support Local Artists and Businesses

Fort Worth’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations thrive because of local talent. Buy hand-painted calaveras from artists like Marisol Cruz or Diego Mendez. Purchase papel picado from Arte de Papel. Eat at restaurants like La Casa de Tamales or El Sabor de Oaxaca during the celebration period. Your support keeps the tradition alive.

Avoid Cultural Appropriation

There is a fine line between appreciation and appropriation. Do not sell Dia de los Muertos-themed merchandise unless you are part of the community or have collaborated with Latinx creators. Do not profit from sacred symbols without giving back. If you host an event, invite community elders or cultural leaders to guide the program.

Tools and Resources

Local Organizations to Connect With

• Fort Worth Arts Council – Provides event calendars, grants for cultural projects, and volunteer opportunities. Website: fortwortharts.org
• Latino Cultural Center – Offers workshops on Mexican folk art, music, and dance. Hosts an annual Dia de los Muertos symposium. Website: latino-cultural-center.org
• El Mercado de la 8 – A historic market featuring Mexican artisans, food vendors, and community gatherings. Visit during the first weekend of November for the largest public altar in the city.
• La Casa de los Milagros – A cultural center dedicated to preserving Mexican traditions. Offers language classes, altar-building workshops, and storytelling circles.

Recommended Reading

• “The Day of the Dead: A Cultural History” by Anna L. Peterson – A scholarly yet accessible exploration of the tradition’s evolution.
• “Ofrendas: The Art of Remembering” by Lourdes Portillo – A photographic journal of altars across Mexico and the U.S.
• “Cuentos de la Vida y la Muerte” by Sandra Cisneros – A collection of short stories blending Mexican folklore with personal memory.

Online Resources

• Smithsonian Folklife Festival – Dia de los Muertos Archive – Free videos, interviews, and tutorials: folklife.si.edu
• Google Arts & Culture – “Day of the Dead: Beyond the Skeletons” – Virtual museum tour of altars from Oaxaca to Los Angeles.
• YouTube Channel: “Cultura Viva” – A Fort Worth-based channel featuring interviews with local families, step-by-step altar tutorials, and live event coverage.

Supplies to Source Locally

• Marigolds: La Tiendita de Flores (1200 S Lamar St), El Mercado de la 8 (1000 W 7th St)
• Papel picado: Arte de Papel (1400 N Main St), Mercado de la 8
• Copal incense: La Casa de los Milagros, Amazon (search “copal resin Mexican incense”)
• Sugar skulls: Local artisans at the Cultural District Festival, or make your own with kits from Hobby Lobby (look for “Mexican sugar skull molds”)
• Pan de muerto: La Casa de Tamales, El Sabor de Oaxaca, or bake your own using recipes from “Tortillas and Tears” by Maricel Presilla

Real Examples

Example 1: The Martinez Family Altar

Marisol Martinez, a Fort Worth native, created an ofrenda for her grandmother, Doña Elena, who passed in 2021. She placed Doña Elena’s favorite red dress on a hanger beside her photo. She included a small ceramic jar of homemade mole, a glass of horchata, and a worn rosary. Marisol’s daughter painted a small calavera with the words “Abuela, te amamos.” Every night, they lit a candle and played Doña Elena’s favorite ranchera song, “Cielito Lindo.” The family shared stories each evening—how she danced at weddings, how she saved every button for sewing, how she whispered lullabies in Spanish. The altar became a daily ritual of love, not grief.

Example 2: The TCC Student Project

Art student Javier Reyes created a multi-tiered ofrenda for his older brother, who died of an overdose. He used recycled materials—old books for tiers, fabric from his brother’s shirts as a cloth cover, and handwritten poems from friends as offerings. He placed a pair of sneakers and a skateboard deck on the altar, symbols of his brother’s passion. The piece was displayed at TCC’s exhibition and later donated to a local youth center as a tool for grief counseling. Javier now leads workshops for teens on using art to process loss.

Example 3: The City Hall Public Altar

In 2023, the City of Fort Worth partnered with the Latino Cultural Center to create a public ofrenda in the City Hall rotunda. Over 300 community members contributed photos, letters, and mementos. Among them: a child’s drawing of a firefighter, a veteran’s medal, a wedding ring, and a letter from a mother to her son lost to violence. The altar was open for two weeks. Visitors left notes in a box labeled “For Those Who Stay With Us.” The city preserved the notes and plans to display them annually.

Example 4: The Pet Memorial

At the Fort Worth Cultural District, a section of the community altar is dedicated to pets. One woman placed her dog’s favorite chew toy, a photo of them on a beach trip, and a bowl of peanut butter. “He was my best friend,” she wrote on the card. “He waited for me every night. I still hear his paws on the stairs.” The gesture moved many attendees to add their own pet memorials. It reminded everyone that love transcends species.

FAQs

Is Dia de los Muertos the same as Halloween?

No. Halloween is rooted in Celtic traditions and often focuses on fear, ghosts, and costumes. Dia de los Muertos is a joyful, reverent celebration of life and memory. It is not about scaring people—it’s about welcoming loved ones back with food, song, and light.

Can non-Latinos celebrate Dia de los Muertos?

Yes, but with respect. Participation is encouraged when done with humility, education, and support of the community. Avoid stereotypes. Learn the meaning behind the symbols. Support local Latinx businesses and artists. Your presence should honor, not appropriate.

When is Dia de los Muertos celebrated?

The official dates are November 1 and 2. November 1, Día de los Inocentes, honors children and infants. November 2, Día de los Muertos, honors adults. Many families begin preparations on October 28, and altars remain up through November 5.

Do I need to speak Spanish to participate?

No. While Spanish is often used in songs and prayers, the essence of Dia de los Muertos is universal: love, memory, and connection. Many events in Fort Worth are bilingual, and English-speaking volunteers are always welcome.

Where can I buy authentic sugar skulls in Fort Worth?

Visit El Mercado de la 8 during the first weekend of November, or check out local artisans at the Fort Worth Cultural District Festival. You can also commission custom skulls from artists like Marisol Cruz on Instagram (@marisolcalaveras).

Can I make an altar for someone who wasn’t family?

Absolutely. You can honor teachers, friends, mentors, public figures, or even strangers whose lives touched you. The altar is a personal expression of remembrance.

Is it okay to take photos at public events?

Yes, but be respectful. Ask before photographing individuals, especially those in prayer or mourning. Avoid using flash near altars. Share your photos with cultural context—not as exotic decoration.

How can I get involved in organizing a Dia de los Muertos event?

Contact the Fort Worth Arts Council or the Latino Cultural Center. They welcome volunteers for setup, translation, photography, and outreach. Training sessions are held in September.

Conclusion

Celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Fort Worth is more than attending a festival or building an altar—it is an act of cultural reclamation, communal healing, and profound love. In a world that often avoids talking about death, this tradition invites us to embrace it with open hearts and open hands. Whether you light a candle in your living room, paint a sugar skull at a community workshop, or simply stand quietly before a public altar, you become part of a living legacy.

Fort Worth’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations are a testament to the resilience of Mexican-American culture. They remind us that memory is a form of resistance—that even in the face of loss, we choose to remember, to create, to sing, and to feast. By participating respectfully and intentionally, you honor not only those who have passed, but the generations who kept this tradition alive so it could reach you.

This year, as the marigolds bloom and the candles flicker, take a moment. Say a name. Share a story. Light a path. Because in the end, Dia de los Muertos teaches us that death is not the end—it is the beginning of a different kind of presence. And in Fort Worth, that presence is celebrated with color, courage, and grace.