Library Celebrates Día de los Muertos

As October draws to an end and we celebrate Halloween, we invite you to also observe Día de los Muertos with us. The holiday, celebrated November 1 and 2, remembers and honors loved ones who have passed. 

Why the Library Celebrates 

As a community connector, we look for programs that can be windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors—which is critical for a diverse community. This way our customers can see their own lives and families reflected, see a different experience to better understand those communities or step into someone else’s shoes and empathize with them. Día de los Muertos and other cultural programs are one way Baltimore County Public Library provides windows, mirrors and sliding glass doors to fulfill our vision of being an inclusive and connected community.

How to Participate

We have a great line up of events the week of Día de los Muertos, including an author visit with Yuyi Morales and a sugar skull wreath class. The headlining event is our third annual Día de los Muertos festival on Saturday, November 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Reisterstown Branch. Stop by to enjoy crafts, face painting, an interactive Yaxche (Tree of Life), La Dama Food Truck and performances by Cantare, Pasión Latin Dance Team from Towson University and Bailes de Mi Tierra dance group. We spoke with Jose, the leader of Bailes de Mi Tierra, about what you can expect to see.  

Q) Who is Bailes de Mi Tierra? 

A) Bailes de Mi Tierra—which translates to “dances of my land”—is now in its seventeenth season. The group has become a community favorite for its colorful costumes, vibrant dances and the lively sounds of Mexican and Latin American music that provide a rich representation of its heritage and traditions, performing regularly at festivals, museums, schools and other events. 

Q) What are the cultural ties for this group? 

A) Bailes de Mi Tierra showcases dances and music from several Mexican states, and a few dances from Cuba (mambo) and Colombia (cumbia). The mission is “to preserve, promote and present Mexican and Latin American traditions through its music, dance and folklore.” 

Q) This is your second year attending the festival. Why is it important for your group to do celebrations like Día de Los Muertos? 

A) Día de Los Muertos is a big Mexican tradition, and of course we want to highlight dances and music to fit the occasion.  

Q) What can attendees expect from your performance? 

A) Attendees can expect dances from the Mexican states of Veracruz and Jalisco.  

• Veracruz will highlight a dance called “La Bruja” translated to English means “The Which”—very fitting of Día de Los Muertos and Halloween.  
• Jalisco is famous for its lively mariachi music, colorful dresses and vibrant dances. This region highlights the world-renowned dance “El Jarabe Tapatio,” most may know it as the Mexican Hat Dance. 

Other Ways to Celebrate 

If you’re interested in more passive ways to celebrate, we have several options for you.

• Grab a children’s book to learn about the holiday.
• Enjoy traditional Mexican music on hoopla.
• Take one of our activity booklets, located at all 19 branches.