Día de los Muertos Comes to the Okanagan
- Jorge Ardila
- Oct 3
- 4 min read
Hi community, Jorge here with another article. Today lets take you on a small journey into one of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations in Mexican culture: Día de los Muertos. In this post I’ll walk you through how this tradition began, how it’s transformed over time, how it’s taken root in the Okanagan, and where you can join in the celebration on November 2, 2025, in West Kelowna.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Día de Muertos?
Día de Muertos is celebrated every year on November 1 and 2. Families set up colorful altars (ofrendas) to welcome the spirits of loved ones. Cemeteries are filled with flowers, candles, food, and music. It’s not a sad occasion, but a way to remember that love continues beyond death.
UNESCO recognized it in 2008 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its role in connecting generations and communities.
Did You Know? The Origins Debate
As I researched, I discovered that even experts don’t fully agree on where Día de Muertos comes from.
Popular view: Many cultural institutions describe it as a fusion of Indigenous Mesoamerican rituals (like those of the Mexica and Maya, who honored ancestors with offerings) and Catholic practices (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days brought by Spain in the 16th century).
Academic view: Scholars from the INAH (National Institute of Anthropology and History) argue that Día de Muertos, as we know it today with altars, cempasúchil, and sugar skulls, is a modern cultural construction. It has deep Catholic roots from medieval Europe, but was reshaped in the 19th and 20th centuries — especially during Mexico’s post-revolutionary period — as a national symbol, with strong influence from artists like Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.
Both views remind us that traditions are living, evolving, and shaped by history. If you’d like to read more, you can explore INAH’s article on the origins or the Cultura.gob.mx tourism guide.
The Symbols and Their Meanings
Every item on a Día de Muertos altar has a story:
Photos – honoring loved ones.
Candles – lighting the way home.
Papel picado – cut paper banners that show life’s fragility.
Pan de muerto – sweet bread decorated with bone-like shapes, symbolizing togetherness.
Cempasúchil (marigolds) – with their bright orange petals and scent, they guide the spirits back.
Water and food – refreshing souls after their journey.
Incense (copal) – purifying the space and inviting spirits in.
These elements remind us that remembrance is an act of love and creativity.
How It’s Celebrated in Mexico
Día de Muertos is both intimate and public, solemn and joyful. What makes it so powerful is that it connects families to their ancestors, neighbors to one another, and communities across Mexico in a shared act of remembrance.
1. The Home Altars (Ofrendas)
At the heart of the celebration are the altars built at home. Families carefully decorate tables or special spaces with:
Photos of loved ones who have passed.
Their favorite foods and drinks, so their spirit feels welcome.
Flowers (especially cempasúchil) and candles to guide their journey.
Small personal items or toys if the altar is for a child.
For many families, creating an altar is a way of teaching children about their roots, keeping alive the stories of grandparents and ancestors. It’s also a reminder that love continues through generations.
2. The Cemetery Gatherings
The second pillar of Día de Muertos is the visit to cemeteries on the night of November 1 and during November 2. Families clean and decorate graves with flowers, candles, food, and music. In places like Janitzio (Michoacán) or Mixquic (near Mexico City), entire communities gather all night, turning cemeteries into vibrant, glowing gardens of light and color.
It’s not about mourning — it’s about being together again, even if only in spirit. Families sing, share food, and remember stories of those who have passed. In this way, the cemetery becomes a place of joy, community, and connection.
Why It’s So Important
Día de Muertos matters because it flips the usual way we think about death. Instead of silence and fear, it invites us to celebrate life, memory, and continuity. It teaches that remembering those who came before us is not just tradition — it’s a way of keeping identity, love, and community alive.
That’s why UNESCO recognized it as part of humanity’s cultural heritage. And that’s why millions of people, from Mexico to the Okanagan, carry this tradition forward each year.
Día de Muertos in the Okanagan
What I love about the Okanagan is how it keeps opening its arms to different cultures. Little by little, our valley is becoming a place where traditions from all over the world find a home. Día de Muertos is one of those traditions — a celebration full of color, music, and memory.
This year, the Latin Voices Society invites you, your family, and your friends to come and be part of this celebration:
📍 Grizzli Winery, West Kelowna 🗓 Sunday, November 2, 2025 🕛 12 PM – 4 PM 👉 Click here for event details
What to Expect
Live Music & Performances – Enjoy Mexican and Latin American rhythms that bring the celebration to life.
Community Ofrendas (altars) – See beautifully decorated altars created by families and community groups. You’ll learn the meaning behind every candle, flower, and photo.
Traditional Flavors – Taste foods connected to the celebration, from pan de muerto to other Latin dishes that bring comfort and memory.
A Feast for the Senses – Colorful flowers, costumes, and art displays that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Why You Should Come
If you’ve never experienced Día de Muertos before, this is your chance. It's about joining a moment of love and remembrance that anyone can connect to. Bring your children, your partner, and your friends, and let them see how a whole community comes together to honor life and memory.
Think of it as an open invitation: to learn, to celebrate, and to build bridges between cultures right here in our valley.
Closing Thoughts
For me, researching Día de Muertos showed how traditions are both timeless and evolving. However we look at it, the heart of this celebration remains the same: love that outlasts death.
So, if you’re in the Okanagan, come join us at Grizzli Winery on November 2. Te esperamos!
Thank you for reading, see you next time.
