A Memphis Día de los Muertos Guide: Where to Celebrate
Colorful parades, festive face painting, live music, and tequila at Graceland ... Memphis has plenty of ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos this year! Image: iStock
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is alive and well in Memphis, where you’ll find plenty of ways to honor this special tradition focused on remembering and celebrating the lives of loved ones who have passed.
Enjoy a lively parade and cultural festival in the heart of downtown, or sit down to a special dinner at Graceland, complete with tequila pairings. Whether you’re new to the festivities or looking for a new way to honor the season, the 901 has plenty of ways to join the party. Here’s your Memphis Día de los Muertos guide!
What Is Día de los Muertos?
Despite common misconceptions, Día de los Muertos is very different from Halloween. Its roots lie in Indigenous traditions from Mexico, which were later blended with Catholic customs brought by Spanish colonizers. Today, it’s mainly celebrated on November 1 and 2, and each family or community has its own way of marking the occasion.
The holiday honors the ongoing connection between the living and those who have passed. Families build ofrendas (or altars), with photos, candles, flowers, favorite foods, and special items to welcome loved ones’ spirits home. Marigolds, or cempasúchil in Spanish, are important for their bright color and their role in guiding the spirits.
Other well-known symbols include calaveras, or skulls, which are often decorated with detailed designs, and pan de muerto, a sweet bread made for the holiday.
What to Wear to a Día de los Muertos Celebration
Dressing for Día de los Muertos can be a fun way to be part of the holiday, especially if you’ll be at a parade or festival. Go for colorful floral prints, embroidered blouses, flowing skirts, bright accessories, and bold colors inspired by marigolds and traditional papel picado.
You may also see Catrinas and Catrines: elegant skeleton figures dressed in formal attire, often with elaborate makeup. Face painting inspired by decorated calaveras is popular at many celebrations, with artists on hand to help revelers get the look.
A few tips to keep in mind:
- Learn the meaning behind the look: Skull imagery and floral designs have cultural significance that goes beyond their visual appeal.
- Avoid treating the holiday like a costume party: Choose clothing and accessories thoughtfully by taking time to understand the traditions you’re celebrating.
- Support Mexican artists and local vendors: Shopping from culturally connected makers is a great way to really appreciate the artistry behind the holiday.
- Bring comfortable shoes: If you’re going to a parade, you’ll probably be standing or walking for much of the event.
The Día de los Muertos Parade and Festival in Downtown
One of Memphis’s most colorful celebrations brings together art, dance, music, and community this year from a new location. Organized in partnership with Cazateatro Bilingual Theatre Group, the Memphis Art Museum, and the Orpheum Theatre Group, the annual festival invites families to honor their ancestors while learning about the cultural traditions behind the holiday. Plus, it’s a great way for people of all ages to experience Día de los Muertos for the first time.
The parade takes place on Saturday, October 24, from 11 a.m. until noon, followed by the festival, which runs until 3 p.m.
Expect a festive atmosphere featuring art-making activities, face painting, costumed performers, traditional dance, and live music. Previous programming has included Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl, the University of Memphis Marimba Ensemble, Memphis-based mariachi singer Marisol Pierre, and local family band Mariachi Guadalajara.
The parade will start at Court Square and end at the Halloran Center, and admission is generally free with registration.
To enhance your experience, Cazateatro hosts educational workshops ahead of the festival to help teachers and community members better understand the holiday’s cultural significance. These sessions offer a fun way to explore the tradition beyond its recognizable decorations and costumes.
Where to Stop for Authentic Decor and Food
- Mili’s Flowers and Gifts: You can get authentic decor for Día de los Muertos, from fresh florals to papel picado, at this local florist and gift shop.
- Panaderia Y Pastelería La Ideal: Stop by this bakery for your favorite authentic Mexican treats, like pan dulce and conchas.
- Camino’s: This local taqueria and bakery has it all, and it’s the perfect place for your weekend menu. Stop by for lunch or bring home some of their colorful custom cakes for your Día de los Muertos celebration.
- Panaderia San Juan: Come to this local bakery for Pan de Muerto, or Bread of the Dead. You can also find savory dishes, from carnitas to barbacoa.
Graceland’s Día de los Muertos-Inspired Dinner
For a more indulgent way to mark the season, consider Spirits to Spirits, a special Día de los Muertos tequila dinner at The Guest House at Graceland on October 31.
Taking place in the TCB Showroom, the event starts at 8 p.m. and features a five-course menu, live music, and tequila pairings inspired by the holiday’s themes of remembrance, offerings, and reunion. Chef Mario Torres’s menu draws on Mexican flavors while incorporating familiar Southern touches, putting a true Memphis spin on the occasion.
The dinner begins with elote (corn on the cob) paired with El Mágico Blanco tequila. Later courses include a smoked trout tostada, hot chicken al pastor served with a sweet potato waffle, and birria tamales featuring braised short ribs. A mango sorbet intermezzo will be offered before the decadent dessert — a pan de muerto cheesecake with cajeta, roasted apples, pecans, and orange.
Each course is paired with a different expression of El Mágico Tequila, from Blanco to Extra Añejo, with a brand representative guiding guests through the selections. Tickets are $100 for this 21+ event, which you can grab here: Tickets for Spirits to Spirits.
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Ariel Taranski
Ariel's been writing professionally for over a decade, with a passion for travel, pets, good food, and a great book. She's lived in Memphis for over half of her life, a transplant from Florida and Southern through-and-through.
