Oldham County History Center Hosts Annual Día de los Muertos Festival – November 1
The Oldham County History Center will present its festive Annual Día de los Muertos Festival on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the History Center campus, 106 North 2nd Avenue, La Grange. This colorful, family-friendly event is free and open to all.
Day of the Dead is a time-honored Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed away, blending remembrance with festive community traditions. The History Center’s event will feature beautiful altars (ofrendas), traditional music and dance, face painting, a parade, vendors, and authentic food offerings.
Guests are invited to join in a joyful celebration of remembrance, culture, music, and community. Festivities include:
3:00pm – Face painting, live mariachi music, vendors, food trucks, altar displays (ofrendas)
4:00pm – Community Parade through historic downtown LaGrange, everyone is welcome to walk and celebrate together. More info below.
5:30pm – Cultural dance performances and additional music
6:30pm – La Catrina Contest. (More info below.)
Day of the Dead Community Parade at 4:00pm
The parade will begin at the Oldham County History Center campus in downtown LaGrange, at the corner of Main Street and Second Avenue. The parade route will go west down Main Street, turn right onto 5th Avenue, right onto West Jefferson Street, right onto South Walnut Avenue, right onto Main Street and back to the History Center campus.
Everyone is welcome to participate and walk in the parade. Respectful Day-of-the-Dead cultural dress and props are encouraged but not required. Vehicles, horses, and bikes are not permitted. Strollers are permitted. Registration is not required to walk in the parade.
Day of the Dead La Catrina Contest at 6:30pm
One of the most iconic symbols of Día de los Muertos is La Catrina, a tall, elegant skeleton figure wearing a long, elaborate dress and wide-brimmed hat. First popularized by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s, La Catrina serves as a reminder that death is the great equalizer—regardless of status or wealth, everyone is a skeleton in the end. Over the years, La Catrina has become a beloved emblem of the holiday, blending beauty, artistry, and cultural tradition.
The Oldham County History Center’s La Catrina Contest invites participants of all ages to embrace this tradition by dressing in creative costumes inspired by La Catrina. Contestants are judged on creativity, authenticity, craftsmanship, and presentation. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in three age categories: Children (under 13), Teens (13–18), and Adults (19 and up).
Registration is required to participate in the contest – sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/day-of-the-dead-festival-catrina-contest-tickets-1635643215889?aff=oddtdtcreator
