The annual Día de los Muertos celebration will take place Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Syre Auditorium on the campus of Whatcom Community College in Bellingham.
The event will be hosted in partnership with Western Washington University’s Multicultural Student Services. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is more than a cultural observance; it’s a celebration of life, memory and community.
This year, Latine students from across the campus are coming together at Whatcom Community College on Nov. 1 to honor loved ones who have passed while sharing rich traditions with the broader student body.
For Melissa Ramirez, a member of the Western student dancing group Danza Eterna, Día de los Muertos is deeply personal. Growing up in America, she was not as in touch with her Mexican traditions.
But coming to Western and performing at these events, she cites, helped her reconnect with her heritage.
“I want to take these traditions and put them into my lifestyle the way that my parents didn’t really do,” Ramirez said.
Danza, known for its vibrant traditional Mexican folk dancing, will perform at the event, adorned in colorful skirts and crisp white blouses. Practice has been intense, as students work to perfect the intricate steps and ensure their performance reflects both cultural authenticity and artistic skill.
“We want to get as many people as we can in there and get enough practice to perfect it, since it is one of our biggest events,” Ramirez said.
The performance is just one aspect of the celebration. Traditional altars, or ofrendas, will be displayed with photographs, candles and marigold flowers, and offerings to honor the spirits of deceased family members and pets.
Food, including mole, a chicken dish with a rich chocolate-based sauce, will be served, providing attendees a taste of Mexican culinary tradition. There will also be musical performances, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the event.
Behind the scenes, student organizers like Mariana Rozco of the Latinx Student Union and Danza Eterna are focused on logistics, communication and ensuring the club and events run smoothly.
As secretary for both clubs and public relations for Latinx Student Union, Rozco manages official records for meetings, social media, events, performances and fundraising.
“A lot of students are excited about this event, and there’s usually a pretty big turnout,” Rozco said.
Professor Lauro Flores is a professor of American Ethnic Studies at the University of Washington. His 2016 essay, titled “The Day of the Dead in Seattle: A Historical Sketch,” provides additional background on the holiday.
Flores explained that Día de los Muertos has deep indigenous roots, predating the arrival of Europeans in the Americas.
He added that many groups celebrated in different ways, centered on the belief that the departed return for a day and communities prepare altars and festivities to welcome them back.
“It’s a day we honor,” Flores said. “What it involves is the belief that the souls of the dearly departed seek divine permission to come back to the earth and visit us.”
“I feel like anybody, as a human, should be open to experiences and get in touch with other cultures; we’re all humans, we all have our accomplishments," Ramirez said.
Mabaindu Mbawa (she/her) is a senior at Western, majoring in Journalism (News Editorial) and minoring in Political Science. Outside of reporting, she enjoys writing poetry, storytelling, styling, and taking photos. You can reach her at mbawam.thefront@gmail.com
