Day of the Dead is the Mexican holiday commonly observed on November 1 and 2.
Known in Spanish as Día de los Muertos, the holiday honors deceased family members and friends. Families may create ofrendas, or altars, decorated with photographs, candles, flowers, food, and personal objects. Marigolds, especially cempasúchil, are strongly associated with the observance.
Day of the Dead is separate from a quinceañera, but both are important cultural traditions in Mexico and Mexican communities worldwide. A quinceañera marks a living person’s fifteenth birthday, while Day of the Dead centers on remembrance. The holiday blends Indigenous Mexican practices with Catholic observances connected with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Its exact customs differ among regions and families.