Run through history and culture with a 5K at Milwaukee's only cemetery-based Día de los Muertos festival.
Experience a unique blend of fitness and culture at the Día de los Muertos 5K & Festival. Held at the historic Forest Home Cemetery, this event offers a 5K run or 2K walk through the scenic grounds, complete with a free festival t-shirt for participants. After the run, immerse yourself in the vibrant festival atmosphere with traditional music, dance performances, and a variety of cultural displays.
The festival features a Mercado with local vendors, traditional decorations, and community-made ofrendas. New this year are the colorful tapetes, intricate carpets made of sawdust and organic materials. The Procesión de las Almas, a peaceful walk led by a local priest, adds a spiritual dimension to the day. With free activities like face painting and sugar skull decorating, it's a family-friendly event that celebrates the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos.
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Join us for a 5K spin through the cemetery and vibrant festival celebrating Día de los Muertos - it's a day full of fun, food and culture! Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum hosts the area’s only cemetery-based Dia de los Muertos festival! Walk/Run The day kicks off with a 5K run/2K walk through the cemetery. Free Dia de los Muertos festival t-shirt with all registrations. Register now Festival Grab lunch at a food truck and enjoy: Traditional music featuring Mariachis and a DJ Local dance groups Vendors at the festival Mercado Traditional decorations including cempazuchi, papel picado and hand-made catrinas Ofrendas (offerings to the dead) and nicho boxes in the chapel and Halls of History, made by local schools and community groups New this year: Tapetes, or carpets, of sawdust and organic material depicting layful images of death Procesión de las Almas - a local priest leads a peaceful walk through the cemetery that ends in the chapel Free activities including face painting and decorating sugar skulls Non-profit community resources *The 5K fee supports the walk/run experience, and the rest benefits Forest Home Historic Preservation Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works to preserve the historic stuctures and arboretum and share the history of the cemetery through educational programs and public outreach.
