Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead is a pan-Latin tradition honoring deceased loved ones, with distinct forms across Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Haiti, and beyond, each shaped by its own blend of Indigenous ritual and Catholic observance. Mexico’s Día de Muertos, with its ofrendas, marigolds, and calaveras, is the most globally recognized version, but it’s one expression among many: Guatemala’s giant kite festivals in Sumpango, Bolivia’s Ñatitas skull traditions, Ecuador’s colada morada and guagua de pan, and Haiti’s Fèt Gede observances within Vodou all carry the same spirit through very different practices.
Discover how these traditions show up across New York City, from Mexican altar exhibitions to the wider range of Latin American and Caribbean communities marking their own versions of honoring the dead.