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Day of the Dead
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Hand holding an incense stick over a Day of the Dead ofrenda in Puebla, Mexico, with marigold petals, lit candles, sugar skulls, and a basket of bread. The lady and lord of the dead Day of the Dead figurines Colorful Day of the Dead altar decorated with marigold flowers, food, candles, photos of deceased loved ones, and a skeleton figure wearing a red veil, displayed in Oakland, California. Lucia Padron arranges freshly baked Pan de Muerto on trays in a decorated room, preparing the traditional sweet bread for sale before the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. Cemetery vigil Two unidentified Day of the Dead carnival participants in Oaxaca, Mexico, dressed in elegant costumes with faces painted as skulls, looking at each other while dancing. Oaxacan Calavera Large crowd gathered at the Day of the Dead Kite Festival in Sumpango, Guatemala, with giant colorful circular kites displayed against a backdrop of mountains. Animated promotional art for the film Coco shows Miguel playing a white guitar, surrounded by skeleton characters and colorful Day of the Dead decorations in a festive street scene.
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Mexican Day of the Dead celebration at sunrise.
¡Feliz Día De Los Muertos! Quiz
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Day of the Dead: References & Edit History

Article Contributors

Primary Contributors

  • Katie Angell
    Katie Angell is Associate Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica, covering topics related to Latin America. She holds an MA from Vanderbilt University and is pursuing a PhD in Political Science.
  • Melissa Petruzzello
    Melissa Petruzzello (she/her) is Assistant Managing Editor and covers plants, algae, fungi, insects, spiders, renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles certain topics in Christianity, notably Protestant history and churches. 
  • The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
    Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

Other Encyclopedia Britannica Contributors

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Corrected display issue. Oct 09, 2026
Modified link of Web site: CNN - Day of the Dead has everything to do with the afterlife, love and those colorful skulls you’ve seen around. Jun 29, 2026
Noted that the holiday is an example of religious syncretism. Expanded Top Questions. Mar 26, 2026
Add new Web site: Al Jazeera - Five things you should know about Mexico’s Day of the Dead. Mar 23, 2026
Add new Web site: World History Encyclopedia - Day of the Dead. Feb 14, 2026
Media added. Oct 28, 2025
Changed “Día de los Muertos” to “Día de Muertos” throughout. Oct 24, 2025
Added information about the Indigenous roots of the holiday and its observances in Oaxaca, Mexico, and in the United States. Oct 23, 2025
Expanded the discussion of traditions and customs. Added information about observances in Mexico City and in Guatemala. Oct 23, 2025
Add new Web site: CORE - El Dia de los Muertos, the Death and Rebirth of the Environment Movement (PDF). Aug 01, 2025
Add new Web site: Ancient Origins - Day of the Dead: Aztec Goddess Worship to Mexican Celebration. Apr 21, 2025
Questions and answers added. Mar 17, 2025
Add new Web site: NPR - The Evolution Of D�a De Los Muertos. Feb 03, 2025
Add new Web site: Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders - Day of the Dead. Dec 12, 2024
Add new Web site: CNN - Day of the Dead has everything to do with the afterlife, love and those colorful skulls you’ve seen around. Oct 21, 2024
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Top 10 things to know about the Day of the Dead. Aug 02, 2024
Add new Web site: PBS NewsHour - What is D�a de los Muertos? An expert explains the holiday celebrating loved ones who have died. May 28, 2024
Add new Web site: Academia - Day of the Dead. Jul 07, 2023
Add new Web site: Catholic Online - Day of the Dead. Aug 20, 2022
Add new Web site: PBS LearningMedia - Introduction to the Day of the Dead. May 16, 2022
Add new Web site: Vimeo - 36th Annual Viva la Vida Festival & Parade Presented by Austin Convention Center. Aug 17, 2021
Add new Web site: Smithsonian Institution - Five Facts About D�a de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). Aug 16, 2021
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Dia de los Muertos. Jan 03, 2020
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Day of the Dead. Feb 03, 2017
Add new Web site: Art is Fun - Day of the Dead Art. Feb 03, 2017
In the second paragraph, "observations" changed to "observances." Oct 14, 2015
Media added. Oct 11, 2007
Added new Web site: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Oct 06, 2006
Added new Web site: MexConnect - Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos. Oct 06, 2006
Added new Web site: MexConnect - Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos. Oct 06, 2006
Added new Web site: AZCentral - Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead. Oct 06, 2006
Added new Web site: AZCentral - Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead. Oct 06, 2006
Added new Web site: The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Oct 06, 2006
New article added. Apr 04, 2006
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