Day of the Dead is most widely observed in Mexico.
Known in Spanish as Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos, the holiday developed in Mexico and is celebrated chiefly on November 1 and 2. Families remember deceased relatives and friends through visits to cemeteries, prayers, meals, music, and home altars called ofrendas.
Mexican observances combine Catholic commemorations with older Indigenous traditions and local customs. The exact balance of those influences is debated by historians, but Mexico is unquestionably the cultural center most strongly associated with the holiday. It is also widely observed by Mexican communities elsewhere, especially in the United States, so it should not be mistaken for an exclusively Mexico-only event.
Common symbols include orange marigolds called cempasúchil, photographs of the deceased, candles, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto. The holiday is often confused with Halloween because the dates are adjacent and both may feature skeleton imagery. Their meanings differ: Halloween centers on costumes and supernatural folklore, while Day of the Dead focuses on remembrance, family, and welcoming the memory of the departed.