Día de los Muertos

Ver página en español

Join us as we honor the customs and heritage around Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a cultural tradition observed in Mexico and throughout Latin America to remember and celebrate the lives of departed loved ones. Enjoy live music, participate in hands-on art activities, get an up-close look at NHM’s interpretive ofrenda (altar) for commemorating the dead, and more. Come together as a community and take part in this celebration of life!

Program Guide

Ongoing Programs | 11 am–3 pm

Día de los Muertos Ofrenda
Get an up-close look at NHM’s interpretive ofrenda (altar) for commemorating the dead. What items do you notice?

Día de los Muertos Floral Display
A beautiful flower arrangement created by our partners Latinx with Plants. Add a message to this piece for someone you'd like to honor for Dia de los Muertos.

Día de los Muertos Vendors
Support local businesses and visit a variety of Latino/a/x vendors.

• Arte Y Alma Mexicana: Handmade and hand-painted pottery and home decorations from many parts of Mexico. Each item is unique and one of a kind.
• Latinx with Plants: A small woman of color owned business in Boyle Heights whose focus is to uplift people of color in the plant world. We hope that through plant parenthood, people will be able to deepen their connection with nature and tune into the healing that caring for plants can offer us.
• Lil’ Libros: Lil’ Libros celebrates cultural diversity and bilingual literature in English and Spanish to ignite the imaginations of children everywhere!
• Nena's Soap Creations: Artisanal soaps made from scratch and artistic glycerine soap.
• ShopCherine: An artist worth knowing: face painting, murals and paint parties!
• The Art of Sketch: Home of unique creations.
• The Spanglish Kids: Creates culturally inspired children’s apparel and gifts that celebrate Latino culture, bilingual language, and the everyday experiences of growing up Spanglish.
• Vanechy Artesanal Boutique: Handcrafted Mexican Garments.
• Yzzka Studio (Handmade Artistry): Yzzka Studio provides handmade jewelry made of stainless steel, sterling silver, gold filled, seed beads, and crystal beads.

Activities | 11 am–3 pm

Día de los Muertos Reflection Activity
Take a moment to reflect on a memory and write a message to someone you'd like to honor for Dia de los Muertos.

Calavera Masks Activity
Color your own calavera (skull) mask for Día de los Muertos. Great for kids!

Timed Programs

11:30 am | Storytime: Huesos
Join our friends from Lil' Libros as they lead a bilingual storytime on the book Huesos. Great for kids!

12:30–2:30 pm | Musical Performance: Mariachi Las Catrinas
Enjoy a Día de los Muertos musical performance with special guests Mariachi Las Catrinas. 

Meet the Performers