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Los Compadres de Escuela Longfellow invites you to experience one of Latin America's most beloved holidays, Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead.

What:

Special Note: There is nothing scary about this festival. The use of skeletons and skulls are keeping with the traditions of this holiday, the heart of which is the celebration of  the lives of people who have passed away. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Carolyn Whiting (61) 223-4987 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Day of the Dead (El Día de los Muertos or All Souls' Day) is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration occurs on November 1st and 2nd in connection with the Catholic holiday of All Saints' Day which occurs on November 1st and All Souls' Day which occurs on November 2nd. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years, and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl.

Similar holidays are celebrated in many parts of the world; for example, it's a public holiday (Dia de Finados) in Brazil, where many Brazilians celebrate by visiting cemeteries and churches. In Spain, there are festivals and parades, and at the end of the day, people gather at cemeteries and pray for their loved ones who have died. Similar observances occur elsewhere in Europe and in the Philippines, and similarly-themed celebrations appear in many Asian and African cultures.

Day of the Dead (www.dayofthedead.com)

Day of the Dead (from wikipedia)