Paddy’s Irish Public House will trade its familiar emerald glow for a night of gold marigolds and shadowed masks when it hosts the Day of the Dead Masquerade Ball on Saturday, Nov. 1. The event, a fusion of live music, culture, and costume, aims to honor tradition while delivering one of Fayetteville’s most visually striking nights out.
The celebration begins at 8 p.m. at the Raeford Road venue, which will be transformed into a candlelit dance hall filled with papel picado streamers, altar displays, and the hum of anticipation. Patrons are encouraged to attend in formal or festive attire, including sugar skull masks, painted faces, and black-tie attire, all of which are welcome, creating an atmosphere that balances reverence with revelry.
Anchoring the evening is THEM, a four-piece rock-and-blues outfit known for blending haunting melodies with Latin influences. The band’s following has grown steadily over the past decade, with performances described by fans as “electric,” “unforgettable,” and “a spiritual experience disguised as a concert.” At a recent appearance, one attendee praised their performance as “the tightest I’ve seen. Every song hit like a story you didn’t want to end.”
THEM’s upcoming Fayetteville set promises both spectacle and soul. Audiences can expect a mix of original material and reinvented classics, including their signature renditions of “La Llorona” and “Cielito Lindo.” Their originals, such as "Luz del Olvido" and "Alma Errante," have drawn comparisons to cinematic soundtracks starting in whispers and rising into thunder.
Between sets, the space will take on the rhythm of a festival. Guests can visit the ofrenda (altar) to place photos or notes for loved ones who have passed or stop by a face-painting station to complete their Day of the Dead transformation. Nearby, tarot reader Mama Ro will offer insight in a softly lit corner as DJs mix Latin house and cumbia tracks to keep the dance floor moving.
Behind the bar, staff will serve themed cocktails “The Bloody Marigold,” “Spirit Walker,” and “La Vida Breve” alongside plates of pan de muerto, spiced mini tacos, and cinnamon-dusted churros. The sensory mix of scent, sound, and color will make the space feel like a cross between a rock show and a sacred ritual.
Paddy’s, known primarily for its Irish-inspired menu and sports nights, has spent recent years experimenting with culturally themed events that draw Fayetteville’s diverse community together. The Day of the Dead Masquerade Ball marks the most elaborate of these efforts, emphasizing both entertainment and cultural appreciation.
Organizers say the goal is not to mimic a traditional Dia de los Muertos celebration, but to create a shared experience where remembrance and nightlife intersect. As one local promoter noted after a previous Paddy’s event, “It’s not about copying culture, it’s about creating connection. When people dance and remember at the same time, something sacred happens.”
By midnight, organizers expect the venue to pulse with life masks glinting beneath candlelight, guitars roaring against the bass, and strangers joined in spontaneous chorus. The night is expected to close with THEM’s powerful version of “Volver, Volver,” a song that bridges loss and love, ending the evening on a collective note of gratitude.
The Day of the Dead Masquerade Ball is more than a themed party; it’s an invitation to honor memory in motion. For those looking to mark the changing season with a night that’s equal parts reflection and rhythm, Paddy’s promises a rare experience: one where the living and the remembered meet on the dance floor.
Tickets are available through the official event page on Facebook or directly at Paddy’s Irish Public House, 2606 Raeford Road, Fayetteville.