Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead, or el Dia de los Muertos, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and Central America during which people honor loved ones who have died. The holiday combines Catholic traditions with Mexica/Aztec or other indigenous traditions that can be traced back thousands of years. During the Day of the Dead celebrations, people dress up in costumes, dance and listen to music, go to parades, and celebrate with friends and family.

The Day of the Dead is generally celebrated on November 1 or 2, but traditionally it spans four days between October 31 and November 5. People believe the dead come back to visit their loved ones for the holiday, so they set up offerings, or ofrendas...