Dia de los Muertos is a three-day Mexican festival celebrating and honoring the dead. From
November 1 – 3, Mexicans celebrate the life of their dead ancestors by decorating graves with paper flowers, erecting
altars, feasting, and parading in the streets. Skulls are an important symbol of this tradtion, both as decorations and
as elaborate masks (Calacas) worn during parades, festivals and events.
Dia de los Muertos is celebrated up and down Mexico, in Baja, and in cities with strong Mexican communities across
the south-western US. This Arizona site has a complete section on the
Day of the Dead, along with a striking gallery of photos from
local celebrations.