Hundreds celebrate Day of the Dead in downtown Kitchener

Day of the Dead is a commemoration of lost loved ones, typically marked by Latin American communities. Here are the sights and sounds of the celebration.

A kaleidoscope of colours and cultural celebrations illuminated downtown Kitchener Saturday, as hundreds of people marked Dia de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead.”

The holiday is traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico but is recognized in other Latin countries as well.

“It’s a day where family members get to welcome back the souls of their loved ones,” said Arnold Yescas, the arts and culture manager with the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“They get to celebrate, eat food together again, and enjoy precious music,” he added.

Festivities began Saturday morning at the Kitchener Market, before attendees marched in a parade down King Street to celebrate in Carl Zehr Square.

The all-day event featured traditional Mexican cuisine, live music and theatrical performances by local groups. There was also a dedicated memorial for people to commemorate their lost loved ones.

“Some people here today have been celebrating Day of the Dead for many, many years,” said BIA executive director Linda Jutzi. “And for some it’s a brand-new experience and we’re glad that they could learn and celebrate this culture.”

The Downtown Kitchener BIA began hosting the event three years ago.

“It’s just grown exponentially,” Jutzi said. “People love these cultural experiences.”

The event drew people of all ages and backgrounds, including some who recently immigrated from Latin America.

“For me, being here is a little bit of feeling my country inside of me,” said one festival goer from Mexico. “It’s about my culture, my heritage, and it’s just feeling Mexico in Canada.”

“It’s nice and it’s really fun to be a part of it, even when we don’t share that culture,” another attendee said. “But we enjoy the food and enjoy the music.”

Saturday’s festivities wrapped up at 8 p.m., but the Downtown Kitchener BIA said it looks forward to hosting the cultural celebration again in 2026.