Home / November

A little reason to celebrate

Day of the Dead

Religious · Commemorative · November 2

Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a time to remember loved ones who have died with home altars, marigolds, food and family stories.

Day of the Dead falls on Monday, November 2, 2026. That is 6 days away.

Día de los Muertos is a time for remembering family and friends who have died, and for welcoming their memory back home for a while. It is rooted in Mexican tradition and is widely marked in the United States too, in homes, neighborhoods, schools and cemeteries.

The center of many homes during the observance is an ofrenda, an altar set up for the people being remembered. It usually holds photographs, candles and bright orange marigolds, along with things the person loved in life. That might be a favorite candy, a bottle of soda, a deck of cards or a plate of a dish they always asked for. Pan de muerto, a sweet bread often decorated with shapes that look like bones, is a common addition.

The mood surprises people who expect something gloomy. Grief is part of it, but so is affection, color and a good deal of storytelling. Families may clean and decorate graves, then stay to talk, eat and share memories. Sugar skulls, sometimes with a name written across the forehead, and papel picado, tissue paper cut into delicate patterns, add to the color.

For many families the observance blends Catholic practice with older Indigenous customs, and each household keeps it in its own way.

Marigolds are chosen for more than their color. Their strong scent is traditionally said to help guide the spirits home, which is why petals are sometimes scattered in a path leading to the altar.

Ways to celebrate

• Set out a photo of someone you miss with a candle and flowers.
• Share a favorite story about a loved one with family or friends.
• Visit a local community ofrenda or cultural center display.
• Try baking or buying pan de muerto from a neighborhood bakery.
• Cook a dish a late relative loved and talk about them over dinner.

Dates

All national days on November 2

Also on November 2

• National Deviled Egg Day
• Look for Circles Day

Categories: Religious daysCommemorative days