Altars 20: A Celebration of el Día de los Muertos ◆ El Museo

El Museo’s annual community celebration honoring el Día de los Muertos is now in its 20th year! Please join us for a month-long exhibition of ofrendas (altars), followed by a costume party on Saturday, October 31.

What is the holiday about?

“Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration for the people of Latin America, particularly in Mexico and Central America, and more recently for Mexican Americans. Rather than grieve over the loss of a beloved family or friend, they choose to commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and welcome the return of their spirits. The history of Day of the Dead is embedded with Pre-Hispanic and Spanish customs. These customs shaped the common elements of traditional Mexican Día de los Muertos. Today, Day of the Dead has been increasingly popular with Latinos in the United States. Though many of the traditional elements have remained how and where Day of the Dead is celebrated has changed.”

— from the Smithsonian Latino Center (read more →) (PDF version →)