Photo by Chris Schneider

In addition to Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, there is a special day to celebrate children: Día del Niño, or Day of the Child. A holiday that originated in Mexico in 1925, this day is meant to recognize the importance of children in our society and to promote their wellbeing. Now, it is celebrated all over the world. 

Photo by Chris Schneider

Here in Denver, the Mexican Cultural Center (MCC) and Telemundo Denver are proud to present their ninth annual celebration hosted by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS) on Sunday, May 1 during regular museum hours from 9am to 5pm. Día del Niño at DMNS includes special performances, music, and activities for the entire family and is free and open to the public. This event is meant to share and celebrate Mexican culture, to introduce the arts and sciences to children in a fun and exciting way, and to bring the community together.  

The celebration will also include performances by Los Chinelos, the Colorado Asian Cultural Center, and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. Additional activities include the Denver Parks and Recreation Climbing Wall, CaveSim, and Face Painting with la Payasita Paletita. Día del Niño guests will also enjoy 50% off admission to the temporary exhibition “Egypt: The Time of Pharaohs.”  

Photo by Chris Schneider

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) will be hosting a booth where participants can craft their own headshot, along with many other booths from Denver area organizations.  

Jesús Quintana Martínez, DCPA’s Director of Community Engagement, states that community partners and collaborations are crucial to the DCPA’s mission.  “The events and celebrations that the MCC puts together are open to everyone in the community in order to promote and maintain the richness of Mexican culture in the State of Colorado. Through collaborations as such, we have been able to authentically connect with our diverse community from various backgrounds and cultures and we are committed to continuing do so through deliberate and creative ways.”  

And Día del Niño is a perfect opportunity to showcase that partnership, with the DCPA’s booth activity also teaching children the importance of the arts. “We are going outside of our theater walls and connecting through the transformative power of theatre by doing an interactive arts and crafts activity that explores self-identity,” explained Quintana. 

Photo by Chris Schneider

As a precursor to the main event, DMNS will host a virtual program with budding anthropologist Anirudh Rao on April 18. Rao, a fourth-grade student from STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado, has spoken across the state and will encourage audiences to explore the world around them as he showcases his learnings through artifacts from Egypt and beyond. Join the livestream on the DMNS Facebook page at 12:30pm on April 18. 

Tickets for the Día del Niño celebration on May 1 must be reserved but are free and open to the public. The Denver Museum of Nature and Science is located at 2001 Colorado Boulevard in Denver and free parking is available onsite. Learn more about the event on the Mexican Cultural Center website and reserve your tickets on the DMNS website.