In Pilsen, a Chicago ballpark becomes a field of remembrance for Día de Muertos

CHICAGO, Oct. 22 (MexiPress). On Saturday, a baseball field in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood will fill with ofrendas, music and light.
The National Museum of Mexican Art is hosting Xicágo, its Día de Muertos celebration, at Harrison Park from 3 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 24. Telemundo Chicago reports that admission is free, with live music, ballet folklórico and, at nightfall, an illuminated ofrenda projected onto the museum’s facade.
The event accompanies “Where Memory Lives: 40 Years of Día de Muertos,” the museum’s 40th annual exhibition, which looks back through its permanent collection to trace how the tradition, and the museum itself, have evolved. Telemundo reports more than 100 works and ofrendas, including photographs and altars. Last year, gallery education coordinator Mario Hernandez told CBS Chicago the show presents “one of Mexico’s largest traditions” through artists’ eyes.
Xicágo is built by families. In 2024, ABC7 Chicago reported that about 100 local families created ofrendas on the baseball diamond, and that registration filled within days. Hundreds attended as a large screen projected the faces of 800 people who had died. Jessica Zapata made one for her sister Lupe, who died of cancer at 47. It was “to let her know she was here with us,” she said.
The museum describes its collection as 3,600 years of Mexican creativity from both sides of the border. On Saturday, that creativity moves outdoors, to a public park in Pilsen. The museum, at 1852 W. 19th Street, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.