Celebrate your loved ones with a vibrant Día de los Muertos fiesta. This guide includes recipes, decorating ideas, DIY florals, and a shoppable list to help you plan an unforgettable gathering.
Moving back to California brought the welcome opportunity to reconnect with friends and fellow food professionals. After several solitary years in North Dakota, I was eager to collaborate, swap ideas, and share the creative energy that comes from working alongside others. Hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration felt like the perfect way to bring people together: to honor those we miss and to revel in the colors, flavors, and music that make life joyful.
Día de los Muertos is a time to remember loved ones who have passed and to celebrate life with friends and family. For this gathering I invited Meg from Beard and Bonnet, whose floral work I admire, and my long-time friend Aida from Salt and Wind. Together, we created a colorful, sensory-rich celebration that echoed the traditions and warmth of the holiday.
Día de los Muertos is first and foremost a fiesta of the senses
DIY Floral and Fruit Portraits
A Day of the Dead party fills the space with bright colors, fragrant flowers, seasonal fruit, and lively music to welcome memories and honor those who have passed. Meg and Todd from Beard and Bonnet collaborated with floral artist Meredith Ambruso to design stunning floral portraits and installations. Their work brought texture, color, and life to the altar and surrounding spaces, and a tutorial for these arrangements is available from the creators.
The Altar
Our celebration centered around a lovingly assembled altar in Meg and Todd’s courtyard. We displayed photographs of those we wanted to remember, arranged candles and sugar skulls, and decorated the space with abundant flowers and seasonal fruit. Melissa’s Produce generously supplied much of the produce used. An altar filled with fragrant flowers, ripe fruit, warm light, and cherished photos creates a welcoming space that invites remembrance and reflection.
The Cocktail
To toast friends—old and new—we served mezcal margaritas flavored with dried marigold syrup. Marigolds are deeply associated with Día de los Muertos; their vivid color and scent are thought to guide spirits back to this world for the celebration. In parts of Mexico, especially Oaxaca, marigolds line the streets in autumn as families prepare for the holiday.
Día de los Muertos Menu
Marigold Mezcal Margaritas
Vegan Green Pozole
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Jamaica Mole
Mexican Red Rice with Roasted Salsa Roja
Rainbow Jicama Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
Spiced Mexican Chocolate Coconut Pie
Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto
Our meal began with a spicy vegan green pozole made with freshly soaked hominy and roasted poblano peppers. We served creamy chicken enchiladas topped with a jamaica mole, Mexican red rice with roasted salsa roja, and a crisp Rainbow Jicama Salad dressed with a poppy seed vinaigrette. For dessert, Aida prepared a rich Mexican chocolate coconut pie piled high with whipped cream and toasted coconut. I baked Pumpkin Spice Pan de Muerto loaves—traditional sweet breads that evoke the flavors of the season. Over the following weeks I will share the detailed recipes so you can recreate the menu at home.
Particulars for Party Planners
Decor
Use seasonal fruits and produce for color and texture; include abundant marigolds and fragrant flowers for scent and visual impact. Fresh fruit, candles, and photos create an inviting altar.
Tableware
Choose lively, functional pieces such as enamelware serving dishes, charming small jars for condiments or cocktails, and decorative platters to group dishes. Practical items that match your aesthetic make serving easy and colorful.
Recipes and Inspiration
Plan a menu with a balance of bold, warming flavors and bright, fresh dishes. Include a signature cocktail, a hearty main, a vegetable-forward side or salad, and a rich dessert to finish.
All photography courtesy of Beard and Bonnet.
Special thanks to Melissa’s Produce for contributing beautiful fruit and vegetables to our celebration.
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