Día de Muertos has been celebrated in Brussels since 2018. For a whole week, the Marolles district is filled with colors as we come together to commemorate those who have passed. This annual event is based on a universal yet increasingly forgotten gesture in modern societies: honoring our deceased. Through song, crafts, words, gestures, and a beautiful altar, Día de Muertos offers a time and space to remember our loved ones, share memories, reinvent rituals, and take care of our dead.

Whether you’re coming solo, with loved ones, or even new faces, this event provides a modern-day approach to processing loss and finding peace. Open to everyone, Día de Muertos is a vibrant, cultural experience that invites reflection without the boundaries of religion.

This year, as festival partners, we’re inviting you to join us at dusk for a special musical walk through Saint-Gilles Cemetery. Imagine the moonlight casting shadows, candles flickering along the paths, and melodies rising softly into the night. Eight musicians from across the globe will be performing funeral songs in their native language. A moving tribute to death that reflects a rich variety of traditions. Expect to hear Tibetan, Spanish, Portuguese, and other songs, each accompanied by traditional acoustic instruments.

And don’t worry, this isn’t Halloween. We’re here to remember and honor, not to frighten!

Access to the event is free for children under 12. If you are coming with children, as the capacity is limited, it is essential to send an email to chiara@muziekpublique.be or call 02/217.26.00 so that we can add them to the guest list.

© Joachim Thillaye

This event is created in partnership with Día de Muertos. The Rouwcollectief and SpeakEasy will enhance this experience with a poetic tribute.