Day of the Dead at the Wharf this Weekend

District Wharf Will be dead this weekend, and by dead, we mean the Wharf will be alive with celebrations to honor Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos. The event will be held on Sunday, October 24th from 2pm-5pm and will include Latin music, dancing, face painting, and sugar skull decorating on District Pier, along with street food and a beer garden.

The weather is looking great for Sunday’s festivities (64 and sunny), which will be primarily held outside. There are activities for all ages, which will make for a great day by the water in SW DC.

While at the Wharf, visitors should explore the vast array of retail and food options. The Wharf has terrific places for shopping, style, and of course, more food and drink.  Be sure to check out cool specialty shops such as Shop Made DC, Politics & Prose, and Diament for gifts for friends, family, or yourself.

Beyond the food offered at the festival, the Wharf has many options for great eats. Be sure to check out, Mi Vida, Hank’s Oyster Bar, and Falafel Inc., and so much more. For visitors looking for drinks,  Pearl Street Warehouse, Cantina Bambina, and Brighton are good places to start.

There are some things one should know before celebrating Dia de los Muertos, most importantly is that it is not a Mexican version of Halloween. While somewhat related they are quite different. Halloween dates back to an ancient Celtic festival to ward off ghosts and has evolved into a dark night of terror and mischief.  Dia de los Muertos on the other hand, is a two day celebration (Nov. 1-2) to show honor, love, and respect for deceased family members. Top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead.

Getting to the Wharf

If you are coming to the Wharf for the first time, it is important to know that parking is extremely limited. The best bet is to avoid driving all together and use alternate modes of transportation. There are about 500 spaces available on Wharf property, but traffic can be terrible around The Wharf, the rates are high, and DC police are quick to write parking tickets. If you feel like you must drive, and you’ll only be here during the daytime hours, the best option is to park at East Potomac Park and take the free Jitney (ferry) across the water to Recreation Pier. If you must drive here are your parking options.