Día de los Muertos Week returns for a second year to Downtown Highland Park, running Oct. 25–Nov. 2. The Mexican holiday, celebrated Nov. 1–2, honors the lives of deceased loved ones.

The week kicks off Oct. 25 with a free community celebration from 3–5 p.m. at the Memorial Park Gazebo, 405 Prospect Ave., featuring a large-scale ofrenda as the centerpiece. Festivities continue throughout the week with cultural experiences, including Latino food and drink tastings, cooking demonstrations, craft workshops and performances.

A limited number of experience passes are available for $35 in advance ($45 at the kickoff), offering access to wine and tequila tastings, pan de muerto baking, sugar skull decorating, papel picado workshops, cempasúchil flower arranging, VIP admission to the Catrina fashion show and more.

Día de los Muertos Week concludes Nov. 2 with a Catrina fashion show and contest from 2–4 p.m., inviting community members to showcase their interpretations of “La Catrina” through elegant costumes, elaborate makeup and floral headdresses.

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