Celebrating Dia De Los Muertos In Boise

Boise might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Dia de los Muertos, but Boise has come a long way in its understanding and integration of this Mexican festival.

Many think of Dia de los Muertos as "Mexican Halloween," but it's totally different. While Halloween is generally dark and scary, Dia de los Muertos is bright, colorful, and not scary at all. It is simply a celebration of the lives of our relatives that have passed. While Halloween is about ghoulish costumes and candy, Dia de los Muertos is all about colorful altars, marigolds, sugar skulls, and the delicious aroma of Mexican food.

One of the most striking elements of the Boise Dia de los Muertos celebration is the colorful altars. Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with photographs, souvenirs, and the favorite foods and drinks of their departed relatives. It's a touching way to remember and celebrate the lives of those who've gone before us.

Of course, no celebration is complete without food. In Boise, you can savor traditional Mexican dishes like tamales, pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and, of course, a steaming cup of Mexican hot chocolate to warm your soul.

We may not have parades and festivals in Boise for Dia de los Muertos like other cities, but we do have celebrations, just in a more Boise way. JUMP is celebrating Thursday at 5pm with decorations outside and special musical guests Elisa Garcia and Trio, Raul Marciano, Jr., and Leo Munoz-Corona. There are drink and food specials at both the Downtown Boise and Meridian locations of The Matador.