The Staten Island Day of the Dead Festival is an annual family day of Mexican traditions for celebrating the Day of the Dead at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School in Port Richmond, Staten Island.
In Mexican culture there is nothing scary about the Day of the Dead. It is a day when we remember family members who have passed. It is the Aztec–Mexican equivalent of All Souls Day.
It’s a celebration with Mexican culture, food, music, dancing, traditional crafts workshops, and more.
27th Staten Island Day of the Dead Festival 2019
Sunday, October 20, 2019 ~ The Staten Island Day of the Dead Festival is at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School in Port Richmond, Staten Island from 11am – 5pm. FREE
The event is family-friendly and for everyone. It doesn’t matter where you are from or what religion you practice.
The Festival is presented by teaching artists Tamara Geisler, Irma Bohórquez-Geisler and Silvia Gutierrez.
Come celebrate our American cultural heritage.
Ofrendas
The Festival builds two ofrendas.
Everyone can join in building a communal ofrenda by bringing a photo or the favorite food, drink, or possession of a family member you want to welcome.
The second ofrenda is built by a family to show the Day of the Dead traditions in their home region. This year’s family is from the Mexican state of Puebla.
Community ofrenda building starts at 9 am.
Learn about Mexican Traditions
Learn about the art of papel picado, the colorful, intricate cut tissue paper, which adorns home altars and cemeteries in Mexico. Make your own papel picado, calacas (skeleton puppets), and marigold flowers.
The family-fun traditional paper art workshops are led by teaching artist Tamara Geisler, Silvia Gutierrez and Irma Bohórquez-Geisler.
Traditional live music, including Mariachi, and a variety of traditional dances will be performed.
Visit the Staten Island Day of the Dead Festival
Our Lady of Mount Carmel-St. Benedicta School
285 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310
(at Castleton Ave)
Port Richmond, Staten Island
(718) 981-5131
From Manhattan, take the Staten Island Ferry to St. George. Then take the S40, S44 or S46 bus, or a taxi to the school.
For more information, visit dayofthedeadnyc.org
