November First Fridays Centered Around Dia De Los Muertos

AURORA, IL — November's First Fridays event in downtown Aurora will be centered around Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, with food, cultural activities and live music in store.

Festivities, including live Catrinas and decorated windows, will take place from 5-9 p.m. across multiple downtown venues, including Lot E (between Broadway and LaSalle Street), Water Street Mall, Mundy Park and Skinny Park.

The Dia de los Muertos tradition brings families together to honor and celebrate the lives of the dead. The custom takes mourning and transforms it into a celebration of life. The holiday is typically celebrated Nov. 1-2.

More than 30 downtown businesses will feature First Friday offerings. Here's a look:

Restaurants

Altiro Latin Fusion, 1 S. Stolp Ave., from 5-9 p.m. A free community event celebrating loved ones with a Community Ofrenda, stunning large-scale Catrina sculptures, a vibrant local vendor market, live music, delicious food, folkloric dancers, live art, and children's face painting.

Aurora Tap House, 134 W. Downer PIace, from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Live Music with Velvet Rose

Ballydoyle Irish Pub, 28 W. New York St., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dia De Los Muertos martini and salsa night

Charlies Creamery, 6 E. Downer Place, from 5-8 p.m. New ice cream flavors.

Craft Urban, 41 S. Stolp Ave. Window art and special menu item and drink.

Dapper Brews Coffee, 140 S. River St., from 5-9 p.m. Dia de los Muertos-inspired drinks and pastries.

La Quinta de los Reyes, 36 E. New York St. from 8 p.m. to midnight. Live music by Ezequiel Maldonado, Catrinas Fashion Show, Los Chinelos de Morelos danza and an $8 pumpkin margarita.

McCarty Mills Taproom, 140 S. River St., from 5-10 p.m. Heartland Beverage Beer Tasting/Killer Taste Buds. Pop-up/featured artist will be Marco Cardenas.

Society 57, 100 S. River St., from 5-9 p.m. Cocktails and bites.

Tavern On Broadway, 24 N. Broadway, from 4-11 p.m. $8 Spicy Bourbon Pumpkin Smash Cocktail

Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant, 35 S. Broadway, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. $4.99 margarita

Torresmania Restaurant, 3 S. Lincoln Ave., from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Special drinks: Bloody tequila sunset cocktail and La Ofrenda Margarita

Two Brothers Roundhouse's The ArtBar, 205 N. Broadway, from 7-11 p.m. Every first Friday features a new themed show with art, spectacle, Two Brothers beers and performances.

Retail

Balderas Beauty Salon, 25 N. Broadway, from 5-9 p.m. Live Catrinas, art by Joseart, food vendors, performance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, and offrendas.

Hoof + Horn, 14 W. Downer Place, from 5-9 p.m. Join us for a 20-minute, walk-in tarot reading session with our house reader.

Nide Jardin, 140 S. River St., from 5-9 p.m. Community Dia de los Muertos Altar will be in display. 25 percent off on all Dia de los Muertos items in store. Food and local vendor pop-ups.

Superjumbo Records, 102 E. Galena Blvd., from noon to 9 p.m. Get your Super Arts ready at Superjumbo Records with the launch of their in-store Street Fighter merch line.

The Perch, 140 S. River St., from 5-9 p.m. Pop-ups from Urban Apothecary and Irie Cup Tea and thoughtful holiday gifts in our shop. Plus, create a community gratitude tree with us.

Archetype Stained Glass and Fox River Art Group, 33 S. Broadway, from 5-9 p.m. Beautiful stained glass, exquisite fine art paintings and live acoustic music.

Artesan Gallery, 25 Stolp Ave., from 6-9 p.m. Artwork by Pierre Lucero

Aurora Public Library District, 101 S. River St., from 6-8 p.m. Check out the Dia de los Muertos and Diwali altars, make a craft, enjoy a motichoor laddoo and pan de muerto snack and more.

Nuna Ceramics Art Studio, 77 S. Lake St., from 5-8:30 p.m. Emerging artist pottery sale.

The Cornucopia Tea and Gift Shop, 63 S. Broadway, from 5-9 p.m. Kat Lisle and Anton's art along with complimentary tea and cookies available in the artist alley.

The Nolan Gallery, 33 S. Stolp Ave., from 6-9 p.m. Tour our gallery and see what's new.

Yellow Bird Books, 34 S. Stolp Ave., from 6-9 p.m. "Put a Bird on It!" theme, including local art, merchandise and books featuring birds.

Entertainment

The Venue/Fox Valley Music Foundation, 21 S. Broadway, from 5-9 p.m., music at 6 p.m. Free admission to Downtown Charlie Brown Blues Band.

Wyckwood House Boutique + Cocktail Bar, 80 S. River St., from 5-9 p.m., music at 6 p.m. singer-songwriter Grant Milligan plus 1819 Madera Designs pop-up and drink specials

Museums and more

Adecco Staffing, 31 W. Downer Place, from 5-8 p.m. Come visit a Catrina and get a Concha.

Athziry dia de Muertos NFP, Cass Inc., 13 S. Water St., from 5-9 p.m. Dia De Los Muertos celebration on Water Street Mall

Aurora Historical Society, 20 E. Downer Place, from 6-9 p.m. Exhibit, Buttons, Banners, & Ballots: Historic Political Memorabilia. Also, a book signing by Scott Ascher, author of the new book, "Walter Payton Roundhouse Philosopher."

Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway, from 5-8 p.m. Stop by the Aurora Regional Fire Museum to be among the first to shop our newest holiday items. Our annual holiday ornament, a 1964 Cadillac ambulance, will be available for purchase.

Family Counseling Service, 70 S. River St., from 5-8 p.m. Dia de los Muertos-themed craft and treat

Fox Valley United Way - SPARK, 44 E. Galena Blvd., from 5-8 p.m. Fun educational activities for children aged 0-5. Resources will be available for families with children.

Office of State Representative Barbara Hernandez, 1 E. Benton St., from 5-7 p.m. Face painting will be available (free for the first 20, $10 via Zelle after). Enjoy complimentary light snacks. The Neighbor Project will also be present, offering resources on home buying and financial planning.

Zen Loft Wellness Center, 6 W. Downer Place, from 5-9 p.m. Visit our space and see what's new.