Immerse yourself in the traditions of Día de Muertos in this family-friendly, full-day festival featuring altars dedicated to extinct animal species, performances by Mexican folk musicians and dance troupes, hands-on artisanal and scientific workshops, and a craft marketplace.

Performances

Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcóatl en Ixachitlán
Traditional pre-Hispanic dance ceremony dedicated to Day of the Dead

Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York
The traditional music and dance festival of Guelaguetza takes place in Oaxaca every year. Representative of specific groups, these colorful and festive choreographies are a celebration of indigenous identity.

Mariachi Sol Azteca
A classic set with New York’s Mariachi Sol Azteca.

Exploration Stations

Masks and Trinkets
Design your own Día de Muertos mask, mini-altars, and other takeaways in this colorful activity zone for all ages.

Papel Picado
Learn the legendary artform of Papel Picado, cutting imagery into colorful paper banners to take with you.

Storytime with NYPL
Friends from the New York Public Library share some of the vibrant stories around Día de Muertos, Mexican Culture, and Animal Conservation with younger visitors.

Mesoamerican Encounter
Learn about the Museum’s collection of Zapotec artifacts and traditional funerary urns, used to honor ancestors of the pre-Hispanic indigenous cultures that inhabited the State of Oaxaca and beyond.

The Science of Skulls
How do scientists use fossil skulls to piece together the human family tree? Examine fossil skull casts to learn about our extinct hominin relatives.

Extinction Prevention
The CBC integrates the Museum's science, collections, and technology to combat real-world conservation problems and solutions. Meet conservation scientists and learn how they—and you— can work to help safeguard species from extinction.

El Mercado

Artisans from Mexico and the U.S. present their wares at this all-day Mexican Marketplace.