The Spirit of Dia de los Muertos at Nido's Backyard
Tag: Places
Nido's Backyard celebrates Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with color, flavor, and community. We caught up with the team to talk about the meaning behind the tradition and how they bring it to life in Jack London.
Q: For those who may not be familiar, can you share what Día de los Muertos means and why it’s such an important tradition?
A: Día de los Muertos is a deeply meaningful tradition that invites us to celebrate life by honoring those who came before us. It’s a time to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us , not with sadness, but with joy, music, food, and color. Many of us grew up creating altars at home, sharing stories, and keeping their memory alive.
Here at Nido’s BackYard, we love how this tradition brings our community together to honor our ancestors, welcome their spirits back among us, and celebrate the beautiful cycle of life.
Q: How did the idea to celebrate Día de los Muertos at Nido’s first come about?
A: We’ve always had an altar in both of our restaurants, even back when Nido first opened. Chef José Ramos has always made pan de muerto and other dishes traditional to this time of year, like mole. But it wasn’t until a few years ago, as we started building deeper connections within our community, that the celebration truly came to life. That’s when we met Ruth Correa and her incredible Ballet Folklórico group. Ruth teaches traditional Mexican folklórico dance at different schools, and her team is amazing — they bring such beauty and authenticity through their performances, makeup, and traditional dress. It’s not something you often see here in the U.S., and it’s so meaningful for us to help keep those traditions alive and share them with our community.
Q: What can guests look forward to at this year’s celebration — from the sugar skull workshop to the folklórico performance?
A: This year, we’ve made an amazing Pan de Muerto filled with guava pastry cream, which we are pairing with a delicious Mexican hot chocolate that rivals abuelita’s! But the main star at the dinner table is the special Tamal de Muerto with mole negro Oaxaqueño, available all weekend long.
On Saturday, November 1st at 4:30 p.m., we’re partnering with the talented baker Ursula Callejas, who will lead a cookie-decorating workshop where guests can create sugar skulls for their altars. We believe workshops like this are such a meaningful way for both adults and kids to share and celebrate our traditions. No prior experience needed, just a fun attitude.
The celebration continues at 6:30 p.m. with a free Ballet Folklórico performance— everyone is welcome to join!
Q: How does hosting celebrations like this reflect Nido’s values and connection to the Oakland community?
A: Every month, we host community events at our restaurant, but we’re especially excited for this year’s Día de los Muertos celebration. We feel a deep responsibility to support the makers and artists in our community, not just our Latino community, but in all of Oakland. We could use a moment to slow down, reflect, and celebrate the beauty of life. Communal celebrations like Día de los Muertos remind us how connected we really are; they help us see and appreciate those around us. Hosting this event allows us to honor our roots while bringing people together to share in something joyful, healing, and deeply human.
Q: What does hosting this celebration mean to the Nido’s team?
A: The team is very excited, they always have a great time bonding while creating the altar and decorating the restaurant. It feels like we have a greater purpose than just coming to work; we’re honoring something meaningful together.
Q: For someone joining for the first time, what’s one thing you hope they take away from the experience?
A: We hope people walk away feeling connected, realizing that no matter where we come from, we all experience love, loss, and joy. In times like these, gatherings like Día de los Muertos remind us of our shared humanity and the beauty of coming together as a community.