Skulls, spices, and spirits: Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Chicago-style

Chicago will mark Día de los Muertos—or Day of the Dead—in 2026 with events focused on remembrance, family, music, food and community. While Día de los Muertos is officially celebrated from Sunday, Nov. 1, to Monday, Nov. 2, the city is prepared to celebrate with several festivities and food specials all October. 

Food, music and community celebrations

At LondonHouse Chicago, the Bridges River Vista Afternoon Tea will receive a Día de los Muertos makeover through Monday, Nov. 2. The $100-per-person menu combines traditional tea service with Mexican-inspired dishes, including barbacoa with fried plantain, chicken mole sope, shredded beef tostada, squash sope and jicama tostada.

Pastry Chef Thomas Gorczyca’s desserts include conchas, pumpkin empanadas, Mexican wedding cookies, a dulce de leche macaron, a dark chocolate cake with ancho chile ganache, a mangonada bar and a cinnamon sugar churro. The experience overlooks the Chicago River. Reservations are recommended.

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Casa Chi Chicago will offer a special Día de los Muertos menu with both food and drinks, starting Tuesday, Oct. 6. Specialty cocktails include the Saffron Sour with egg white, cinnamon-saffron syrup, lime juice, fresh-pressed tangerine juice, el tequileno, and reposado tequila; the Elote Margarita with liquid alchemist tamarind syrup, lime juice, nixta elote liqueur, and el tequileno blanca tequila; and the Zero-Proof Punch Calavera made with hibiscus, cinnamon tea, guava, orange, and marigold petals. For food, try the Luz de Mar Tiradito made with salmon, hamachi, saffron aguachile, mango relish, and salsa macha.

Shedd Aquarium will host Día de los Muertos Ritmo del Mar on Friday, Oct. 30, from 6-10 p.m. The 21-and-older event will feature música mexicana, live entertainment, food and beverages for purchase, with admission covering the aquarium’s exhibits. Tickets are $29.95 for adults and $19.95 for members, according to the website. 

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Honoring loved ones and pets

The National Museum of Mexican Art will put on Día de los Muertos Xicágo on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 3-8 p.m. at Harrison Park. The free event will include community-created ofrendas (altars), live music, performances, art activities and an illuminated ofrenda projected onto the National Museum of Mexican Art’s exterior.

Families and individuals can reserve space for an ofrenda or submit a photo of someone who has died for the illuminated display. Submissions are due by noon Thursday, Oct. 15, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago will display a Beloved Pets Ofrenda from Thursday, Oct. 29, through Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Hamill Family Nature Plaza. Visitors can submit photos of deceased animal companions through Sunday, Oct. 11. The display is included with zoo admission and is open to all ages during regular zoo hours.