New York City hosted its second annual Dia de Muertos celebration in Times Square on November 2. The event’s key organizers were the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA).
The two organizations partnered with various cultural organizations, including the Times Square Alliance, the Mexican Consulate, Mi Casa Es Puebla, Mecenas, and Zamora Live.
Event Details
The celebration will take place on the streets of New York City, with altars, public art, performances, and four Catrinas, which are skeleton statues used to honor the dead.
The event hosted various performing artists such as El Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino con el Ballet Tapatio, Jerry Feroz y su Banda, MACAO, Balet Guadalupano, and La Comparza Azteca.
The Dia de Muertos Celebration follows the city’s largest-ever October trick-or-treat Halloween event.
Purpose and Significance of the Event
Dia de Muertos is a Mexican cultural heritage celebration meant to be a day of remembrance for loved ones who have passed away. Participants celebrate the memories of those who are gone and bring them back to life for the day.
NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said, “New York City is constantly evolving, shaped by generations who have fought to honor the diverse cultures that make this city the best place to be.” She adds, “Celebrating Día de Muertos is a way to pay tribute to our Mexican American community, and in doing so, we celebrate all New Yorkers. On November 2, we will see performances, Catrinas, and the rich traditions that embody this vibrant celebration. When we embrace one culture, we embrace all the cultures that make New York City such a dynamic and diverse city.”
Additionally, MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro says the event’s cultural significance is important to celebrate in the area. “The annual Day of the Dead week-long celebration in Times Square is the most widely viewed Day of the Dead event outside of Mexico and perhaps now the most significant in the United States.
I’m incredibly proud of this, not only as the Immigrant Affairs Commissioner but also as a proud Mexican New Yorker. Our city’s diversity is our strength, and what better place to celebrate our cultures and communities than the iconic Crossroads of the World,” he says.
He also thanked Ydanis Rodriguez and the various other organizations that put the celebration together.
Cultural Impact
Edward Mermelstein, the Commissioner for the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, says the celebration brings together the Mexican community in New York City. He comments on the event’s ability to unite everyone and uphold the rich traditions that unite the city. “Together, we celebrate the legacy of our Mexican community and the shared values that make New York City a true mosaic of cultures and the home of immigrants,” he says.
He also thanked the organizers for creating the event, who helped bring vibrance to the city. “We deeply appreciate the dedication of Mayor Eric Adams, the NYC Department of Transportation, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Times Square Alliance, the Mexican Consulate, and all who helped bring this beautiful tradition to the heart of our great city,” he adds.
Honoring Mexican Heritage
The four large Catrina statues will be installed for a week before the November 2 celebration in Times Square.
Along with the supporting organizations, the city thanks the artists, community members, and various officials who contributed to the event.
As New York City hosts one of the most diverse groups of people in the country, honoring Mexican culture helps bring together the community by celebrating those who have passed on.
The city invites the public to join the celebration and enjoy Dia de Muertos traditions in Times Square on November 2.
