ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Albuquerque’s Old Town has become a destination for Día de los Muertos as community members gather to celebrate and remember those they have lost.
Traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos allows families to feel a closer connection to loved ones who have passed, honoring them with altars known as ‘ofrendas.’ These altars, decorated with photos, marigolds, sugar skulls, and candles, serve as a space to celebrate their lives.
“We’re just trying to remember our loved ones and celebrate them—their life, their love, our love for them,” shared a participant at the event.
For Jaime and Mauricia Jasso, it’s an opportunity to honor both recent and long-lost family members.
“It’s for my grandmother, his dad, and my grandparents on my mom’s side,” Mauricia explained.
Others shared personal traditions, like Randy Vallejos and Michelle Garcia, who recall loved ones with favorite foods.
“Every year, it’s a tradition in our family to roast chile. [We] pack it and always have it throughout the year. We always had chile on the table and fresh tortillas,” Vallejos said, recalling cherished memories around the ofrenda.
Attendees hope that more people understand the purpose of Día de los Muertos. “People have passed, but right now, this is a time to celebrate,” another visitor remarked, emphasizing that the holiday isn’t about raising the dead, but celebrating life, love, and memory.