Experience Día de Muertos in Wereldmuseum Leiden

Come and experience Día de Muertos Sunday, November 2

Come and experience Día de Muertos, the Mexican celebration where families welcome their deceased loved ones with flowers, music, and treats. The streets come alive with color, music, and symbolism. Altars are built with flowers, candles, food, incense, and photos. Joyfully dressed skeletons and colorful skulls remind us that life and death are deeply connected. Celebrate the Day of the Dead with us! Free with a valid entrance ticket.

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Altar of the Dead

Visit the colorful Altar of the Dead. This altar plays an important role during the Día de Muertos festivities. Officially a Catholic holiday, the way it is celebrated is also influenced by other traditions, such as the Aztec festival Miccailhuitl – the Great Feast of the Dead – where food and drink are placed on the graves of loved ones. This tradition is still practiced today. Come and take a moment to remember your own departed loved ones.

11 October to 6 November | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Cabinet (1st floor) | Ongoing | All ages

Performance: Bésame Mucho

Enjoy this comical performance for the whole family. Bésame Mucho takes you on a journey through the Day of the Dead in Mexico, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Edoardo invites you to help prepare the altar – cutting flowers, enjoying pan de muerto, chocolate or tequila, and listening to music. Along the way, he gives a humorous take on death.

By: Edoardo Ramos Anaya, with musical accompaniment by Ineke Herstel (harp), Rafael Guel, and Graciela & Diana (violin and the ‘Leona’, a traditional Mexican bass).

2 November | 2:15 PM – 3:45 PM | Main Hall | 125 seats | Ages 6 and up

Family Tour: Día de Muertos

Join this guided tour through the museum. You’ll explore objects related to Día de Muertos and learn about other traditions around life and death. During Día de Muertos, people honor the dead with an altar decorated with photos, candles, flowers, and the favorite foods of the deceased.

2 November | 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM | Starts at the ticket desk | Max. 15 participants | Ages 8 and up

Story: Mictecacihuatl, Goddess of the Underworld

The Aztec goddess Mictecacihuatl, ruler of the underworld, plays a key role in the vibrant Día de los Muertos celebration. In this lively storytelling session, you’ll hear how ancient tales evolve into joyful traditions full of flowers, music, and memories. Will you come and listen?

2 November | 12:00 – 12:15 PM and 4:00 – 4:15 PM | Central & South America Room, near the musicians | Join while space allows | Ages 4 and up

Story: Mictecacihuatl, Goddess of the Underworld

Workshop: Mexican Jumping Skeleton Puppet

Create your own skeleton jumping puppet as a Día de los Muertos decoration. In Mexico, streets and homes are decorated with skeletons and skulls during the holiday. These skeletons are often dressed like real people – a firefighter, a musician, or anyone else – and they always look cheerful. How will you decorate yours?

2 November | 12:30 – 4:30 PM (note: last entry at 4:00 PM, sign up at entrance desk) | Workshop Studio | Ongoing workshop, join in if there’s space | Ages 8 and up, or 6+ with supervision

Workshop: Mexican Jumping Skeleton Puppet

Workshop: Sugar Skull Decorating

Decorate your own sugar skull with sparkling sequins and colorful icing. Sugar skulls are often placed on altars. They can be made from papier-mâché or real sugar. Give your skull your own personal meaning and creatively reflect on those you wish to remember.