Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday that combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s. It is a two-day holiday that reunites the living and dead, observed on November 1 and 2, when all souls of the dead are believed to return to the world of the living. However, the celebration typically begins on October 28, with each day dedicated to a different kind of death.

Day of the Dead is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory. Families create ofrendas, or offerings, to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods, and join in the celebrations.

During Day of the Dead, life-size papier-mâché skeletons and miniature plastic or clay skeletons are everywhere. Mexicans honor their ancestors on Day of the Dead, but theyre also reminding themselves that death is just a part of life. Hanging out with skeletons reminds people that one day they will be skeletons—but not for a very long time! The skeletons are posed doing all sorts of wacky things, such as playing guitar, taking a bath, or making tortillas. Handmade skeleton figurines, called Calacas, are especially popular. Calacas usually show an active and joyful afterlife.

Families bring a huge feast to eat while they clean tombstones, sing songs, and talk to their ancestors. Parents might even introduce a baby to a grandparent who died before the baby was born. Cemetery visits are also common on the last day as families will go to decorate the grave sites with Marigold flowers, gifts, and sugar skulls with the departed’s name on them. It’s customary to clean the grave stone and restore the color.

Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration. It is a celebration of life and death, and a moment to remember and honor those we have lost, and allow them back into our homes, even just for an evening.