Day of the Dead Resources

El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a day of celebration, particularly for the people in Mexico and Central America, and for many Mexican Americans in the United States. It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirits.

The tradition of the Day of the Dead is rooted in Indigenous and Spanish Catholic ritual customs. Today, this celebration has been increasingly popular among Latinos in the United States. Though many of the traditional elements have remained, the way and where the Day of the Dead is celebrated has changed. However, the unity of life and death continues to be the dominant theme of the art, tradition, and rituals of the annual celebration of the Day of the Dead on Nov. 2, both in Mexico and the United States.

In commemoration of Día de los Muertos, the National Museum of the American Latino is featuring an online virtual exhibit on the Healing Uvalde Mural Project. The Healing Uvalde Mural project is a collaboration with the Uvalde community, family members and artists to create 21 murals honoring those killed in the Robb Elementary mass shooting.  View all 21 murals in our virtual exhibition and learn more about this project honoring the lives lost on May 24, 2022. The Dia de los Muertos virtual exhibition was developed by the Latino Museum’s Office of Digital Initiatives.

A curated series of online exhibits on Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) via Google Arts & Culture. Exhibits include "The Meaning of the Altar," "Honoring Our Ancestors," and "La Catrina: Lady of the Dead."