Come with me (Monica) to the Penn Museum on Saturday, October 29th to celebrate in advance the Día de los Muertos (Mexican Halloween)!  

“Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a lively holiday blending Indigenous Mexican beliefs and traditions with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.  With roots in rituals dating back 3,000 years to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, Día de los Muertos is observed across Latin America and in Latino communities worldwide. Explore the unique history, traditions, and expressions of this celebration of life and death.  Learn about the ornate and colorful altars that honor the dead (and encourage them to join the party!) with bright yellow marigolds, food, drinks, and photos.  Discover the origins of the iconic smiling calacas y calaveras (skeletons and skulls) that are seen on candy, masks, dolls, and more across parades, vigils, and gatherings”.

This is a full day festival starting at 10am and ending by 4:00pm.  There will be guided tours through the Mexican and Central American galleries in the museum, an artisan market, dance and music performances, art activities, elaborate stepped fret patterns decoration or grecas escalonadas, a huge altar by local artists (this year, Julieta Zavala and Mauro Carrera), and traditional sweet bread and hot chocolate!  Here is the schedule of events:

I will be going from 12:30 to 2 so that we can taste the sweet bread and chocolate and watch the folk dances.  Tickets are free for Penn students and faculty, and if you wish we can also explore the Museum galleries dedicated to Mexico and Central America. We will be leaving from the Lower Quad gate at 12:15pm. Please RSVP in the calendar.