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Celebrate Day of the Dead with sugar skull face paint. Photo: iStock
It’d be easy to think that a holiday called Day of the Dead (no relation to Halloween) might be a sad or spooky occasion. But Día de los Muertos, as it’s called in Spanish, is a festive holiday filled with joy celebrated in Mexico and several other Latin American countries on Nov. 1 and 2. It does focus on deceased ancestors, but in the spirit of family, remembrance and connection. Whether this holiday is part of your family tradition or not, we all have departed relatives and ancestral roots worth honoring.
Join a family Día de los Muertos celebration in the coming days. We’ve rounded up some great ideas here:
Día de los Muertos: Community Ofrenda, Maple Valley
Date: Through Nov. 4
Cost: Free
Pick up a paper picture frame from the Maple Valley Library and add a photo of your own to display at the library’s community ofrenda (altar). Drop it off anytime between Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 or visit to see what others have contributed.
Día de Muertos at The Museum of Flight, Seattle
Date and time: Through Oct. 31; 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Included with admission ($21–$29; ages 4 and younger free) or membership
Help build a community ofrenda at The Museum of Flight by creating your own papel picado (paper craft) and sugar skull in honor of those who have passed. Learn about Day of the Dead traditions and contributions made by Latinos in the aviation and aerospace industry.
Día de los Muertos, Kirkland
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 2–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Gather to remember departed loved ones at Kirkland’s Día de los Muertos event held at Peter Kirk Community Center. Enjoy traditional activities, food, music and more.
Día de los Muertos in Ballard
Date and time: Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30–10:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Ballard hosts its inaugural Day of the Dead celebration with a parade through town, a main stage with musicians and entertainers, a mercadito (small market), and a public ofrenda. Attendees are encouraged to come with their faces painted, or get it done for free at the fest.
Animal Ofrenda at Woodland Park Zoo
Date: Oct. 27–Nov. 2
Cost: Included with admission
Contribute an offering or photo of a beloved animal who has passed and view the display starting Oct. 27 at an unveiling event for Woodland Park Zoo’s Día de los Muertos animal ofrenda. During the event kids can decorate picture frames and color animal-themed pages. The display will be accessible during regular zoo hours through Nov. 2.
Sugar Skulls Art Workshop at the Auburn Library
Date and time: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6–7:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Decorate your own sugar skull, a whimsical and important symbol of the Day of the Dead celebrations, with local artist Amaranta Sandys at the Auburn Library.
Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop at Lake City Branch
Date and time: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 4:30–6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Learn about the history of Día de los Muertos and decorate your own sugar skull to take home with Artist in Residence, Vaquero Azul.
Día de los Muertos Teen Event, SeaTac
Date and time: Friday, Oct. 31, 1–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Teens and tweens can join in the celebration and learn more about the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos through live music and activities just for them at the Valley Ridge Community Center in SeaTac.
Día de Los Muertos at LeMay – America’s Car Museum, Tacoma
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Most activities included with admission ($24.50 adult; $17.50 youth; ages 4 and younger are free)
Lemay – America’s Car Museum in Tacoma has a whole day of festivities planned inside and out with activities and entertainment for the whole family, celebrating community, culture and cars. A Lowrider car show held outside the museum is free to attend, while entertainment inside is included with admission. Some art workshops require an extra fee.
Día de los Muertos at KiDiMu, Bainbridge Island
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 10:45 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
KiDiMu, the nickname of Bainbridge Island’s Kids Discovery Museum, partners with the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art (BIMA) to host Día de los Muertos activities during two separate ceremonies at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Be sure to preregister for free tickets. Kids can create butterfly wings for a mariposa procession from KiDiMu to BIMA, get their faces painted and participate in make-and-take art activities.
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, Bainbridge Island
Date and time: Nov. 1–16, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Stop by Bainbridge Island Museum of Art to view the beautiful ofrenda honoring those who have passed. Add your own memento to honor a departed loved one. On Saturday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. you can enjoy additional activities at the community celebration and shop from local Hispanic and Latine artists at a special Día de los Muertos marketplace on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Día de los Muertos Crafts & Ofrenda, Woodinville
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Craft your own tribute at a community ofrenda hosted by the Woodinville Library. Crafting supplies will be available to create special mementos incorporating personal photographs or meaningful items for display.
Day of the Dead Celebration, Lynnwood
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join friends and neighbors at the Lynnwood Library for a day of art, culture and connection at the City’s annual Day of the Dead celebration. Sample some traditional foods, contribute to the community altar and enjoy music by Orquesta Northwest. Kids can create themed art.
Festál Series: Día de Muertos Festival, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 1–2, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Seattle Center’s Festál series welcomes all to its annual Día de los Muertos Festival. Check out the community altars, performances, sugar skull workshops, colorful face painting and more.
Catrinas Day of the Dead Festival, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 1–2, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Cost: $45; ages 5 and younger are free
Families are invited to join in this Day of the Dead event held at Town Hall Seattle. Festivities include live music, folklore, children’s workshops, face painting, food, and displays of traditional altars and art.
Día de los Muertos Festival at the Outlet Collection, Auburn
Date: Saturday–Sunday, Nov. 1–2
Cost: Free; items for purchase
The Outlet Collection in Auburn hosts a celebration of Día de los Muertos. Come by to enjoy live performances and shop local vendors offering traditional art, crafts and food.
Annual Día de los Muertos with El Centro de la Raza, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, noon–6 p.m.
Cost: Free
All are welcome to join El Centro de la Raza’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration. Experience traditional ofrendas, delicious food, music and more. There will be a pop-up mercado and children’s activities as well.
PNC Día de los Muertos Celebration, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 1–4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Join Phinney Neighborhood Center’s Día de los Muertos fest with arts and crafts, food and drinks, traditional dancers, and a community altar and procession around the block. Bring along small photos or mementos of departed loved ones to add to the community altar.
Consulate of Mexico in Seattle Presents Día de Muertos, Seattle
Date and time: Saturday, Nov. 1, 3–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Honor beloved ones who have passed with your whole family at a celebration hosted by the Consulate of Mexico. Head to Kerry Hall in Seattle to experience the tradition of community ofrendas, create keepsakes, peruse art and gifts, and sample delicious food.
TAM Día de los Muertos Festival, Tacoma
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Cost: Free; pay-what-you-can
Prebook your timed-entry ticket to attend a day full of vibrant traditions with hands-on crafts, community ofrendas, cultural displays, music and a community-created tapete (sand painting) at the Tacoma Art Museum.
Día de Muertos Celebration and Catrina Contest, Marysville
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 2, noon–3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Contribute to the community altar at the Marysville Opera Center and be immersed in the lively colors and customs of this beloved tradition. Come dressed as your favorite Catrina, the elegantly dressed skeleton figure, for a chance to win a prize.
Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead, Issaquah
Date and time: Sunday, Nov. 2, 2–5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Watch traditional dancing, listen to mariachi music, make art and sample Mexican snacks at Issaquah’s Día de los Muertos celebration at the Issaquah Community Center.
Seattle Art Museum Día de los Muertos Community Celebration
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 6, 5–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Check out the Seattle Art Museum’s annual tapete exhibit and get creative with hands-on art projects. Immerse yourself in the art, music, dance and food of this holiday and explore the museum’s galleries.
Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead Celebration, Burien
Date and time: Friday, Nov. 7, 6–9 p.m.
Cost: Free
The city of Burien hosts a community Día de los Muertos celebration where you can take part in the tradition of remembering ancestors with altars and offerings, traditional music, dance, food and more at the Burien Community Center.
More fall festivities for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published several years ago, and was most recently updated on Oct. 27, 2025, by the writer with Seattle-area Day of the Dead celebrations for 2025. Event dates, times and locations were verified by our editor.
