What is the Day of the Dead in Spanish? Is it Halloween?

Wondering how to say "Day of the Dead" in Spanish?

The Spanish translation for the Day of the Dead is "Día de los Muertos."

Watch this short video with 10 Fun Facts about Día de los Muertos and listen to how it is pronounced!

The Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November and is a time to remember and honor deceased loved ones. The colorful and festive Día de los Muertos in Mexico is the most well-known and enjoyed celebration of this holiday that we see today.

This holiday is often said to have originated in Mexico and is now celebrated in many countries around the world. In Mexico, this holiday has its earliest origins in an ancient Aztec festival that honored the goddess Mictecacihuatl.

However, there are many others who track the observance of the days from October 31st, November 1st and 2nd, and even November 6th, back to medieval times, European traditions, and even Catholic traditions such as the observance of “All Saints" and “All Souls" days that all involve celebrating and honoring the dead.

So, why is Halloween on October 31st connected to the Day of the Dead? Halloween is said to originate with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It was a time of harvest when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Roman Pope Gregory III declared November 1st as a time to honor all saints and began to include some of the Celtic traditions to "catholicize" the holiday in the interest of spreading and strengthening the dominance of Christianity.

And so it continued that these dates have been observed, combined, and modified over the centuries to suit the purposes and wishes of different cultures and ruling parties.

Today, this multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. There are often parades and parties with people dressed up in costumes and wearing masks. The holiday is also a time to enjoy traditional Mexican food and drink.

The modern movie "Coco" from Pixar was inspired by the Day of the Dead and portrays the feeling of the holiday as it is observed today.

If you love history and would like to get into the weeds of its origins, these are two great resources:

Mexico's Day of the Dead - Google Arts & Culture

Day of the Dead - Wikipedia

Hope you enjoyed this mini history lesson!

Have a safe and Happy Halloween and enjoy honoring and remembering your loved ones on Día de los Muertos!