Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a tradition in Mexico that reunites the living and dead. During this holiday people mourn and celebrate their loved ones who have passed by creating ofrendas (offerings) to them, sharing memories, and spending time in their spiritual presence.
Taking place Friday, November 1 through Saturday, November 2, this holiday is celebrated many different ways, and there’s no shortage of events around the city. Here’s how to celebrate Día de los Muertos in NYC this year:
1. Día de los Muertos Week in Flatiron
Flatiron Nomad Partnership is hosting a week-long Dia de Muertos celebration, transforming the district with vibrant events and activities! This year’s festivities feature Mexican folklore performances, sugar skull decorating, food samples from local Mexican restaurants, face painting, photo opportunities, and much more. The event is entirely free and offers a unique way to experience this traditional holiday in NYC. Discover more about the week-long schedule of family-friendly events.
🗓️ October 28 – November 1
📍 Flatiron North Plaza (Broadway & 23rd Street), the Capitol Plaza (48 West 27th Street), and 29th Street & Broadway
2. Día de los Muertos Family Day at Green-Wood Cemetery
Stop by one of NYC’s most incredible cemeteries on November 1 to partake in their annual Día de los Muertos celebration! Green-Wood Cemetery is hosting an afternoon of family-friendly crafts, performances, music, activities, and food…all to celebrate the Latin American holiday. The event is completely free, however a $1o donation is recommended! Learn more about the event and register your name via their online calendar.
🗓️ November 1, 4 – 7 pm
📍 Green-Wood Cemetery (500 25th St, Brooklyn)
3. Super Sábado at El Museo del Barrio
El Museo del Barrio is an NYC museum dedicated solely to Latinx/o art and culture, and this year they’re hosting an incredible Super Sábado event to celebrate Día de los Muertos! Honoring those who have passed, the vibrant tradition will feature a day full of cultural performances, art-making activities, face painting, a communal altar, and more. It’s free to attend and you can RSVP via the website’s calendar!
🗓️ November 2, 12 – 9 pm
📍 El Museo del Barrio (1230 5th Ave)
4. Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos at Wave Hill
Celebrate this special Mexican cultural holiday at Wave Hill and create your own nicho box, a small shadow box filled with meaning and purpose that honor a lost loved one. You can decorate your box with objects and natural materials and make it special to you.
And, at 11:30 a.m., families can learn more about the holiday with a storytime program, all ages welcome. Learn more here.
📍 Wave Hill (4900 Independence Ave, The Bronx)
🗓️ Saturday, November 2, 10 am – 3 pm
5. Folk Art: Mexican Day of the Dead at Pelham Art Center
Head to Pelham Art Center’s courtyard for a folk art celebration of Day of the Dead with renowned artist and educator Zafiro Romero-Acevedo, who will share the history of one of Mexico’s richest traditions. Plus, there will also be a live performance by Mariachi Artístico, free children’s workshops, and cultural items made in Mexico available for purchase.
The event is free and open to all, and costumes are welcomed! Learn more here.
📍 Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Ave, Pelham, NY)
🗓️ October 27, 1 – 3 pm
6. Día de los Muertos Celebration at Lincoln Center
Lincoln Center is creating a community ofrenda (“offering”) for Día de los Muertos this year, inviting New Yorkers to bring copies of photographs, notes, and letters to honor lost loved ones. The special evening will also include a performance by Jarana Beat, an award-winning world music band based in New York City that plays folkloric Mexican Afro music! It’s set to be an incredible evening of Mexican song, dance, and culture and it’s completely free! Learn more about the event via Lincoln Center’s calendar.
📍David Rubenstein Atrium (1887 Broadway)
🗓️ October 31, 7:30 pm
7. Día de los Muertos at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery
St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery is hosting an event in collaboration with Mano a Mano: Mexican Culture Without Borders, a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting the understanding of Mexican culture and traditions. This October the church will host art-making, live music, and a craft market to celebrate Día de los Muertos. There will also be a beautiful altar where visitors can pay homage to lost ancestors and family members. The event is totally free and you can learn more here!
📍 St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery (131 E 10th St)
🗓️ October 25 – 27, 12 – 5 pm
8. Day of the Dead at Museum of the Moving Image
The Museum of the Moving Image is hosting a celebration this year, which includes a performance of Aztec Mexica dance, ofrendas honoring beloved ones who have died, fun digital media activities for kids and families, and music from Indigenous dance troupe Yayauhki Tezcatlipoka! Visitors can also get their faces painted, take part in a catrina/catrin contest, and watch a screening screening of Alejandro Amenabar’s The Others (separate ticket required). To grab tickets use code DAYOFTHEDEAD for 20%, which you can purchase online here.
📍 Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Ave, Queens)
🗓️ November 2 (4 – 6 pm)
9. Lotería Nights at The Standard, East Village
The Standard, East Village and their on site bar, NO BAR, are kicking off their new Lotería Nights on November 1st for Dia de los Muertos! The brand new series Not Your Standard Lotería Night will be hosted by NYC nightlife personality, Iranipapi, for a night of high-energy Mexican bingo and great prizes, Rosaluna cocktails, and small bites! It’s completely free to RSVP and there’s still time to grab a spot here!
📍 NO BAR at The Standard, East Village (25 Cooper Square)
🗓️ November 1 (8 – 10 pm)
10. Espolòn Tequila x Raúl Àvila Día los Muertos Ofrenda at Grand Central
To celebrate Dia de los Muertos, Espolòn Tequila is teaming up with Met Gala Designer Raúl Àvila to create a massive installation in Grand Central Station for two days only. He’s set to use over 100,00 marigold flowers to create seven stunning ofrendas to represent the seven levels traditionally found on a Mexican ofrenda. The interactive stations will allow visitors to leave messages to loved ones, as well as get a taste of Espolòn Tequila’s newest expression, Flor de Oro. The event is completely free!
📍 Grand Central Terminal
🗓️ October 29 – 30