(Opening date) Día de los Muertos and Beloved Animals Ofrenda
Día de los Muertos and Beloved Animals Ofrenda at the Saint Louis Zoo
Dates and times:
Friday, October 30, 5–8:30 p.m. (During
Boo at the Zoo
, ticket required)
Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (During regular Zoo hours)
Sunday, November 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (During regular Zoo hours)
Monday, November 2, 9–11 a.m. (During regular Zoo hours, Ofrenda takedown begins at 12 p.m.)
In observance of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), the Saint Louis Zoo invites community members to submit photos of pets and cherished animals to be featured in a special Beloved Animals Ofrenda at the Zoo. Community members can view the Ofrenda on select dates in October, including during the Zoo’s free Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1, and select nights during
Boo at the Zoo
presented by SSM Health Cardinal Glennon.
How to Participate
Community members are invited to submit one photo of a pet, livestock animal or other beloved animal to be featured with the Ofrenda display.
Submissions are open now and will remain open through Saturday, October 10, or until we reach submission capacity.
Please note: Completing the photo submission form does not guarantee your photo will be featured in the Ofrenda. If your photo is selected, you will be notified via email at least one week before the Zoo’s Día de los Muertos celebration on Sunday, November 1.
Submit your photo
.
About the Beloved Animals Ofrenda
An ofrenda is an altar displayed during the traditional Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to honor cherished loved ones who have passed away. The Zoo’s Ofrenda will celebrate the lives of Zoo animals throughout history, as well as beloved pets from the St. Louis community. The Zoo worked with partners in the Hispanic community to design an ofrenda that incorporates some of the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos, including marigolds, sugar skull decorations and food.
Visit the Beloved Animals Ofrenda
The Ofrenda will be on display in the lower level of The Living World building at the Zoo’s North Entrance on the following dates:
Friday, October 30, 5–8:30 p.m. (During
Boo at the Zoo
, ticket required)
Saturday, October 31, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (During regular Zoo hours)
Sunday, November 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (During regular Zoo hours)
Monday, November 2, 9–11 a.m. (During regular Zoo hours, Ofrenda takedown begins at 12 p.m.)
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Zoo
Community members are invited to view the Ofrenda during the Zoo’s
free
Día de los Muertos celebration on
Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy:
Complimentary food and refreshments from local Hispanic businesses (while supplies last)
Live music from Mariachi Show Los Reyes
Traditional Mexican dance performances by Alma de Mexico Dance Group
“Make Your Own Ofrenda” workshops with Dr. Jennifer Alanis from Camino al Conocimiento and Alanis Consulting (multiple recurring sessions)
“Community Reflection” workshops with Dr. Maurya Cockrell from Leaves Speak Healthcare (multiple recurring sessions)
Other programming
For questions about Día de los Muertos programming or the Beloved Animals Ofrenda, contact
.