It’s almost Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos, which is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico and Latin America. Join us as we explore the history of Día de los Muertos and explore the variety of ways this holiday remembers and honors deceased loved ones. Join us to learn and honor your loved ones in community.
All Library events are free and open to the public.
Cempasúchitl Landscapes / 2025 Paisajes de cempasúchitl
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., South Park Branch
Join us for this Day of the Dead workshop to create a 2D mixed media artwork to celebrate the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Create original decorations with crayons, liquid watercolors, and salt, using a technique called “wax resist.” Then you can make cempasúchitl (marigold) flowers to stick on your decorations. Cempasúchitl (marigold) seeds will also be distributed in envelopes that participants can decorate using the “wax resist” technique. This event is for all ages. Thanks to our partner, Seattle Parks & Recreation.
Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop / Taller de calaveritas de azúcar
Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Lake City Branch
Artist in Residence Vaquero Azul will lead an afternoon sugar skull workshop at the Lake City Branch. Learn about the history of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and decorate your own sugar skull to take home. Materials are included. Artist in residence Vaquero Azul is a Otomí, Maya and Taíno, Two-Spirit illustrator and sewist. Their work focuses on Trans Euforia and Mexican & Mesoamerican Indigenous joy. Thanks to our sponsor The Seattle Public Library Foundation. Find out more about the artist in residence program.
Day of the Dead reading suggestions
Learn more about Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead with by checking out some of these videos, books, and picture books, from a documentary about artist Jose Guadalupe Posada, who created the images of calaveras-skeletons that have become synonymous with Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos festival to “Abuelita’s Gift,” a picture book about honoring a beloved grandmother.