This weekend after Halloween ends, Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works will once again be hosting their vibrant Good Mourning Festival, inspired by the tradition of Día de los Muertos celebrated in Mexico and various other parts of Latin America.
Taking place on November 1 and 2, 2025, the festival celebrates life rather than mourning its end. Inspired by the rich and colourful customs of the holiday, this free two-day event invites everyone to come together to honour loved ones and reclaim mourning as a beautiful, shared part of life.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, Evergreen Brick Works packs in a full schedule of activities. Be sure to stop by the main stage to catch live performances, including those by the internationally renowned Mexicans Folk Ballet and a live concert from Mariachi México Amigo. A colourful Day of the Dead Parade will also take place on Sunday, November 2.
Beyond the performances, the festival offers profound opportunities for reflection through several immersive art installations. The internationally-recognized “Space for Grief” installation returns for its third year, inviting visitors on a journey through memory and emotion. You can also contribute to the “Archive of Forgetting” by sharing a memory you hope to preserve, or find solace at the dedicated Pet Memorial, a touching space to honour beloved animal companions.
For those looking to engage in a hands-on way, the festival offers numerous creative workshops and activities. Decorate your own colourful sugar skull, or create a meaningful keepsake by crafting a beautiful bouquet from locally grown dried flowers that symbolize everlasting memory. Another unique opportunity allows you to plant a tulip bulb in the Memorial Garden in honour of a loved one, with an invitation to return in the spring and take a flower home.
Children are also welcome to explore the “Life Cycles” exhibit in the Children’s Garden to learn about the interconnectedness of nature, get their faces painted as traditional calaveritas, or design their own “Catrina” paper masks to wear throughout the day.
To complete the experience, visitors can browse the Mercado, an artisan market showcasing the incredible talents of Mexican and Latinx creators, and enjoy delicious offerings from the food court, which is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Whether you’re looking to celebrate life or simple experience something new and meaningful, the Good Mourning Festival has something for everyone! Visit their website to see their full schedule of events here.