Day of the Dead in Washington, DC

Day of the Dead / Los Días de los Muertos is a Mexican custom honoring and remembering those who have died. The celebration begins on midnight on October 31, the night of Halloween in the U.S. The following events will be celebrated in honor of the Day of the Dead in the Washington, DC area:

National Museum of the American Indian
October 31 and November 1, 2009, from 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m. The two-day family-friendly Day of the Dead event includes live entertainment and hands-on craft activities including demonstrations of traditional papel picado ("cut paper work"), Sugar Skull, Ofrenda ("Altar" or "offering") featuring Guatemalan kites, Paper Sculpture and Paper Mache.

National Museum of American History
November 1, 2009, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Visitors can celebrate and learn about the Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos holiday with a family event featuring hands-on activities reflecting the tradition of commemorating loved ones. Activities include making paper flowers to leave at the museum's "ofrenda"-an altar designed to honor the memory of braceros, Mexican guest workers who labored in the U.S. from 1942-1964 whose story is told in the museum's new exhibition, "Bittersweet Harvest: The Bracero Program, 1942-1964." Author Mary Andrade will discuss Day of the Dead traditions and sign copies of her book, "Day of the Dead: A Passion for Life," in the Presidential Suite on the museum's first floor at noon.

Mexican Cultural Institute
November 1, 2009, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2829 16th Street, NW Washington, DC. The Open House will include the opening of the traditional Altar de Muertos, designed by Mexican artist Humberto Spíndola. The altar will be open at the Institute through November. At 11:30, see a movie presentation of LA LEYENDA DE LA NAHUALA. At 2:30, hear a lecture on the traditions of Mexican paper by Mexican artist Humberto Spíndola.

Day of the Dead at Piratz Tavern
November 1, 2009, noon-4 p.m. 8402 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. (301) 588-9001. Fall Festival for Kids. Brunch includes pumpkin painting & crafts for kids as well as sword fighting exhibitions.

Mexican Restaurants in the Washington DC Area
Local restaurants celebrate Day of the Dead with food and drink specials.