How to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Huntsville

Dia de los Muertos, Spanish for “Day of the Dead,” is an important holiday in Mexican culture. The annual celebration unites friends and family to honor loved ones who have passed away.

Dia de los Muertos celebrations usually occur on Nov. 1 and 2, and we’ve gathered a few different ways you can celebrate in Huntsville.

Pick up some pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”)

Pan de muerto is a type of Mexican sweet bread filled with symbolism in its shape. Its round shape symbolizes the cycle of life and death while the ball on top represents the skull of the deceased. The cross shape on top represents their bones.

Visit an authentic Mexican bakery to pick up some delicious pan de muerto. Here are two that you can try:

• Don Botanas, 2713 Patton Rd SW Ste B, Huntsville, AL 35805
• Nava’s Bakery, 4710 University Dr NW Suite 4A, Huntsville, AL 35816

Attend a Dia De Los Muertos celebration

Across the river, Decatur will host its second annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. The event is free and will take place on Second Avenue downtown. The first 500 guests will also get free pan de muerto and champurrado (a hot chocolate-based drink).

• Where: Second Avenue in Downtown Decatur
• When: Nov. 2, 5PM-9PM

Buy some sugar skulls

Sugar skulls, often made from sugar paste, are one of the most beautiful and recognizable symbols of Dia de los Muertos.

El Patrón Supermarket will carry sugar skulls this year as well as candles and marigolds for altars.

Beautify the grave of a loved one

Part of the special holiday includes honoring loved ones through beautifying their graves. Pick up some marigolds, which symbolize the brevity of life, an adorn the grave of a loved one.

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