The Day of the Dead — Día de los Muertos — is officially celebrated Nov. 1 and 2, but events can be found throughout Jeffco and the rest of the metro area from late October through Mid-November.

This joyful holiday honors loved ones and family members who have passed from this life to the next with calaveras (sugar skulls), Mexican Marigolds and ofrendas (altars) containing the departed’s favorite food and drink, along with photos, mementos and pan de muerto, a sweetened bread.

Friends and family typically come together to tell stories of those who’ve died, keeping their memory alive in the hearts of their loved ones.

Día de los Muertos will be celebrated in a special exhibit at the Lakewood Arts Council (6731 W. Colfax Ave.) beginning Sunday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. The show runs through Nov. 19.

Pirate: Contemporary Art’s Día de los Muertos exhibit (7130 W. 16th St.) runs through Nov. 5.

Crown Hill Cemetery (7777 W. 29th Ave.) will be the scene of a hauntingly fun celebration Oct. 30. Dancers, music, face painting, sugar skull decorating and food trucks should make this the most fun you’ve ever had at a cemetery.

The Arvada Library (7525 W. 57th Ave.) is hosting a Día de los Muertos art exhibit that closes Nov. 6, and a Community Celebration, Oct. 29, from 5 - 8 p.m. featuring food, music, art and traditional Aztec dancing. 

Nov. 5, from 6 - 9 p.m., at the Colfax Art Crawl in the 40 West Arts District will have ofrendas made by local artists, fire dancers and works of art created by local elementary school students. Food trucks will be on the scene and a visitors can parade the district.

Just down the road, at 4923 West 38th Avenue, Enigma Bazaar will celebrate Day of the Dead Oct. 30. This high-tech party features the instrumental band, Atlas, a Mexico City style dance party, food by Chef

Edwin Sandoval-Cruz and an opening DJ set from 89.3 FM’s La Molly.

Nov. 1, at 10 a.m., the Douglas County Library (8357 North Rampart Range Road #200, Littleton) will have a special bilingual Día de los Muertos story hour for kids of all ages. 

And although technically not in Jeffco, Denver Botanic Gardens celebrates the Day of the Dead (1007 York St.) Nov. 6, starting at 9 a.m. The event runs through 4 p.m. and features a Mexican market, Aztec dancers, art demonstrations, music, altars, a costume contest and more. Tickets are $15 for adults with free admission for children under 15 and Gardens members.