Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Host Día De Muertos Celebration in Times Square
NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Commissioner Manuel Castro today announced the second annual Día de Muertos celebration in Times Square will take place on Saturday, November 2. The event will feature live performances, altars, public art, and the display of four large Catrinas — iconic skeleton statues that honor those who have passed. Día de Muertos is a joyful holiday that honors the rich cultural traditions of Mexico and the memory of loved ones who are no longer with us.
“New York City is constantly evolving, shaped by generations who have fought to honor the diverse cultures that make this city the best place to be,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Celebrating Día de Muertos is a way to pay tribute to our Mexican American community, and in doing so, we celebrate all New Yorkers. On November 2nd, we will see performances, Catrinas, and the rich traditions that embody this vibrant celebration. When we embrace one culture, we embrace all the cultures that make New York City such a dynamic and diverse city.”
“The annual Day of the Dead week-long celebration in Times Square is the most widely viewed Day of the Dead event outside of Mexico and perhaps now the most significant in the United States. I’m incredibly proud of this, not only as the Immigrant Affairs Commissioner, but also as a proud Mexican New Yorker. Our city’s diversity is our strength, and what better place to celebrate our cultures and communities than the iconic Crossroads of the World,” said MOIA Commissioner Manuel Castro. “Thank you to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the Times Square Alliance, the Mexican Consulate, the State of Puebla and Aguascalientes, and all our partners—especially the artists and community members—who have made this celebration possible.”
“Día de Muertos is a remarkable celebration of life, remembrance, and the deep cultural heritage our Mexican community brings to New York City. This event in Times Square is a testament to the spirit of unity that connects us all, showcasing ways diverse traditions contribute to the city’s vibrant identity, ” said Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner for the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs. “We deeply appreciate the dedication of Mayor Eric Adams, the NYC Department of Transportation , the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the Times Square Alliance, the Mexican Consulate, and all who helped bring this beautiful tradition to the heart of our great city. Together, we celebrate the legacy of our Mexican community and the shared values that make New York City a true mosaic of cultures and the home of immigrants.”
“On behalf of the Consulate General of Mexico in New York, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez of the New York City Department of Transportation, Commissioner Manuel Castro of Immigrant Affairs, Commissioner Edward Mermelstein of International Affairs, the Times Square Alliance, and the governments of Puebla and Aguascalientes, as well as everyone who contributed to making this event possible,” said Carlos Gerardo Izzo, Spokesperson of the Consulate General of Mexico in New York. “Hosting Día de Muertos in Times Square allowed us to bring Mexico’s millennia-old traditions to the heart of New York City. Día de los Muertos reflects a uniquely Mexican view of death as a joyful transition that we embrace with gratitude—gratitude for the life that has ended and for the legacy we leave behind.”
The second annual event is part of NYC DOT’s Open Streets program and marks the conclusion of the agency’s largest-ever Trick-or-Streets celebration throughout October. The Día de Muertos celebration in Times Square featured a weeklong installation of the traditional Catrinas and other public art and culminates with a host of free public performances on the evening of Saturday, November 2, from 4 pm to 9 pm.
The performing artists include Ballet Folklorico de Mexico en NY, El Mariachi Tapatio de Alvaro Paulino con el Ballet Tapatio, El Mariachi Tapatio Junior, La Atraktiva, Jerry Feroz y su Banda, MACAO, Balet Guadalupano, and La Comparza Azteca.
Live, costumed Catrinas will also be roaming the plaza for free photo opportunities with the public.
The installation and programming is planned in partnership with the Times Square Alliance, the Mexican Consulate, Mi Casa Es Puebla, Mecenas, and Zamora Live.