Explore Culture Through Day of the Dead Family Program

Visitors to the Atlanta History Center's annual family program, Day of the Dead or Dia de Muertos, can enjoy a day of cultural exploration on Sunday, Oct. 27 from noon-5 p.m. Best of all? It's a free admission day.

Visitors of all ages enjoy learning about this ancient festival rooted in Mexican heritage and that serves as a way for families to remember their deceased loved ones while celebrating their children and the continuity of life, according to the Atlanta History Center. Smiling faces, swirling brilliant colors, storytelling, elaborately decorated altars designed to honor lost family and friends, authentic Mexican food, music, and variety of performances are highlights of this celebration.

This annual family program has been presented in collaboration with the Instituto de Mexico and the Mexican Consulate. It has been supported by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council for more than 11 years. 

Guests are invited to enjoy the outdoor festival, and if time permits, to continue their free day adventures with a variety of Atlanta History Center offerings from discoveries of signature and traveling exhibitions to historic house experiences and explorations of beautiful gardens and trails.

Food and drinks are available for purchase.  For more information, please call 404.814.4000.

Performances, Outdoor stage
12:30 -1 p.m. General Welcome, Information on day’s events        
 1-1:20 p.m.   Alma Mexicana; perform regional dances of Guerrero and Michoacán         
 1:25 - 1:40 p.m.   Alberto Soler; singing both traditional and originals         
 1:45 - 2:25 p.m.   Aztec Dancing: Chicahua Yolotli performs Apache Dance, Paloma Dance, and Fuego Dance      
 2:30 - 2:35 p.m.   Information on events         
 2:35 - 3 p.m.   Alma Mexicana; perform regional dances of Sinaloa, Chiapas, and Jaliscos         
 3:05 - 3:20 p.m.   Alberto Soler; singing both traditional and originals        
 3:25 - 3:30 p.m.   Information on events           
 3:35 - 4:15 p.m.   Aztec Dancing: Chicahua Yolotli performs Caballo Dance, Tonatzin Dance, and Antigua Dance      
 4:30 - 5 p.m.   Pepe Lopez performs Mariachi 

Ongoing Activities, Grand Overlook Ballroom
• Display of altars
• Art Exhibitions
• Traditions of Alebrijes— a display of five original pieces from artist, Jocobo Angeles from Oaxaca, Mexico. Plus, 175 pieces completed by the students of the Westminster Schools. The art selected for display culminated from a series of workshops Angeles’ conducted to share his techniques with the students. The art pieces range from small to medium works and showcase artistic patterns on various forms and materials. For more information, visit www.tilcajete.org.
• Local artists: Calaveras, paintings— this exhibition displays about 10 pieces of skull themed (Calaveras) art utilizing different presentations from painting to sugar creations. Local artists include Hijo de la Luna, Roberto Hernandez, Stephanie Anderson, and many more. 
• The life and works of Jose Guadalupe Posada— this photography display of roughly 10 reproductions pays tribute to the works of Jose Guadalupe Posada and showcases the historical journey of typical Calaveras on Day of the Dead. Artistic support provided by Miguel Martinez of Mundo Hispanico.

Ongoing Activities, Outdoor Rotunda
• Traditional Mexican Food 
• Face painting 
• Children's workshop area (Sponsored by Delta Dental)