Dia de Muertos Candlelight Ceremony and Reception
Dia de Muertos Candlelight Ceremony and Reception is an indoor communal remembrance gathering hosted by Mexican American installation artist Laura Irene. The evening centers on an altar dedicated to loved ones, people whose lives have been lost or disrupted, Palestine, and people affected by detention and deportation. Guests may participate silently or speak, and they are welcome to bring a photograph, object, poem, or other offering.
The ceremony also creates space to acknowledge forms of loss beyond death, including losses experienced by families and communities. Attendees can write names on the gallery walls to honor people who have died, including those whom society has tried to erase and people killed by police. The event concludes with Mexican hot chocolate and pastries.
When: Monday, November 2, 2026
Showtimes: 8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Venue: Rhizome DC
Tickets: Free; donations are welcome
RSVP: An RSVP is requested.
Host: Laura Irene, a Mexican American installation artist
Format: Indoor candlelight ceremony and reception
Participation: Guests may place photographs or objects of loved ones on the altar, bring a poem or another meaningful item, write names on the walls, speak, or simply attend in support. Participation is available at each person’s comfort level, and attendees do not need to personally know someone who has died.
Refreshments: Mexican hot chocolate and pastries will be served at the end of the ceremony.
Community expectations: The organizers describe the gathering as a safe, thoughtful, and communal experience. Everyone is welcome provided they do not create an unsafe environment for others, and attendees are asked to consider their accountability to the community.
Context: The event presents Day of the Dead as a diverse tradition with roots predating colonization and practices extending throughout Latin America. It seeks to move beyond commercialized imagery and invite contemplation, mourning, remembrance, healing, and community care.