Dí­a de los Muertos Festival - Tacoma Art Museum

What to Expect

Our festival features a rich tapestry of activities, including beautiful altars, live music, traditional dance performances, and hands-on art-making workshops. Visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the colorful and meaningful traditions, exploring the history, significance, and artistry associated with this unique celebration.

Come and enjoy traditional foods, view stunning ofrendas created by local artists and community members, and learn about the customs that make Día de los Muertos a heartfelt and joyous occasion. Whether you are participating in the activities or simply observing the festivities, there is something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.

Celebrate with us as we honor the past, embrace the present, and look forward to the future, creating lasting memories with family and friends at the Tacoma Art Museum’s Día de los Muertos Festival.

Support this celebration

Día de los Muertos is free thanks to the generosity of our community. When you reserve, you can add a contribution to help keep this tradition free for everyone.

Suggested contribution: $50

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About Día de los Muertos:

Known in English as Day of the Dead, this life-affirming celebration of the eternal cycle of life has been observed for centuries. Day of the Dead combines ancient and colonial traditions, folk customs, and spiritual beliefs. Celebrated in Mexican and Latin American communities on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos is a powerful, symbolic way to honor relatives and friends who have died.

Traditionally, families assemble altars or ofrendas, in their homes laden with offerings of food and drink to nourish the spirits on their long journey back home. Flowers, candles, clay figurines, sugar skeletons with the names of the deceased, and personal messages to the spirits are placed on the altars.

Tacoma Art Museum’s annual Día de los Muertos Festival has grown over the years, bringing together community organizations, schools, families, and individuals to create altars, celebrate, and share.

Conocida en inglés como Day of the Dead, esta celebración del eterno ciclo de la vida se ha llevado a cabo durante siglos. El Día de los Muertos combina tradiciones antiguas y coloniales, costumbres populares y creencias espirituales. El Día de los Muertos, que se celebra en las comunidades mexicanas y latinoamericanas los días 1 y 2 de noviembre, es una forma poderosa y simbólica de honrar a los parientes y amigos que han fallecido.

Tradicionalmente, las familias montan altares repletos de ofrendas de comida y bebida en sus hogares para nutrir a los espíritus en su largo viaje de regreso a casa. En los altares se colocan flores, velas, estatuillas de arcilla, calaveritas de azúcar con los nombres de los difuntos y mensajes personales para los espíritus.

El Festival Anual del Día de los Muertos del Museo de Arte de Tacoma ha crecido a lo largo de los años, congregando a organizaciones, escuelas, familias e individuos de la comunidad para crear altares, celebrar y compartir.

Tapete

View the creation of a tapete by artist René Julio. Tapete (Spanish for “carpet” or “rug”) refers to a vibrant, temporary sand painting created on the ground for Día de los Muertos. Traditionally made with colored sand, and often incorporating flower petals and seeds, tapetes are artworks which honor and welcome the spirits of loved ones who have passed.

Ofrendas – Community Altars

We invite you to visit our community altars (ofrendas), thoughtfully curated for this year’s celebration by community contributors and local artists. Each ofrenda is a space to honor and remember loved ones who have passed, featuring photos, candles, flowers, and other meaningful items. This is a special, communal space for all to see and appreciate.