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What to do, eat and drink for Day of the Dead

The colorful and cultural holiday that is the Day of the Dead — or Dia de los Muertos — is celebrated to honor deceased friends and family by building altars, decorating sugar skulls, and enjoying food-filled parties. We do the holiday the Philly way with a number of events and food deals.

The colorful and cultural holiday that is the Day of the Dead — or Dia de los Muertos — is celebrated to honor deceased friends and family through building altars, decorating sugar skulls and food-filled parties. We do the holiday the Philly way with a number of events and food deals.

You know those altars we were just discussing? Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catharine St.) is constructing one, and you can help get in on the process. Join in on a paper-cutting class from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26 and Tuesday, Oct. 27 to create intricate designs to be added to their altar.

Chef Dionicio Jimenez of El Rey (2013 Chestnut St.) is crafting a Day of the Dead menu, being offered Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Saturday, Oct. 31, full of dishes he grew up eating as a child — and some spooky features. Menu items include brain ravioli, tongue taco, blood sausage and more. Stop by between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

Decorate your own sugar skull, get your face painted, catch a few dance performances, sip on Mexican hot chocolate, and so much more at the Penn Museum's (3260 South St.) Day of the Dead celebration on Saturday, Oct. 31. Starting at 11 a.m., visitors will be able to check out the museum's altars and make art crafts. A family tour is set for noon and 3 p.m.. and cultural shows will be interspersed throughout the day.

Even better than the traditional sugar skull decorating is sugar cookie skull decorating. You'll be able to do it at the Mütter Museum (19 S. 22nd St.) on Saturday, Oct. 31. Other themed activities include paper flower crafts and face painting. The museum opens at 10 a.m.

Distrito (3945 Chestnut St.) gets into the spirit with drink and food specials. Starting on Saturday, Oct. 31 come for a costume contest (win a gift card!) and stay for the drink specials: $5 taqueria margaritas and sangria and $2 Tecate. On Sunday, Nov. 1, they'll serve brunch from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Menu items include breakfast-style nachos, "Bloody Marias" and blood orange mimosas.

Between a colorful and costumed parade, music, and mini-tours, the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway) will pull out all the stops on Sunday, Nov. 1 for a 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. celebration.

South Street Headhouse District's annual Day of the Dead parade kicks off at 1 p.m. at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens (1020 South St.) on Sunday, Nov. 1 with colorful displays and Mariachi bands.

Come back to Fleisher Art Memorial (719 Catharine St.) on Sunday, Nov. 1 to see the finished altar masterpiece, see traditional music and dance performances and more from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More cultural performances continue on Monday, Nov. 2 at another altar display at 9th and Ellsworth Streets. Fleisher and Women Against Rape will join together starting at 4 p.m. in remembrance of missing women in Juarez City.

Learn about the history and traditions that are associated with the holiday at a free 6 p.m. talk at Fleisher Sanctuary (719 Catharine St.) on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

As the sun sets on Friday, Nov. 6, Kennett Square will be lighting up with a Dia de los Muertos candle lighting at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall (208 E. State St., Kennett Square). Crafts, altars and more will also mark the 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. event.

Kids can create their own sugar skull on Saturday, Nov. 7 as well as listen to traditional Mexican stories during a 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. craft session at the Mercer Museum (84 S. Pine St., Doylestown).

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.