Opening Reception : Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance
Page Tools
The National Museum of Mexican Art is delighted to announce Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance. The exhibition opens on Friday, September 19th in the Main Gallery with a reception from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Join us as we continue one of Mexico’s most extraordinary traditions with stunning altars and moving art that celebrate the lives of those who have passed away.
This practice is deeply rooted in ancient Mesoamerican cultures, which believed in life after death, and the Catholic religion, which remembers the departed on All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days each November 1st and 2nd. After the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, Indigenous and Catholic traditions blended, and over time, each region of Mexico incorporated local customs and beliefs into the memorial celebrations.
Today, families across Mexico and the United States continue to celebrate the Day of the Dead, welcoming back the souls of the departed with cemetery vigils and ofrendas—offerings lovingly arranged altars that include candles, photographs, favorite foods, and meaningful objects. It is a celebration of remembrance, a time to pause, reflect, and keep alive the memory of those no longer with us, recognizing their enduring presence in our lives.