Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian

Sugar Skulls and Folk Dance on the Mall

The National Museum of the American Indian celebrates Día de los Muertos on Saturday, October 31, from 10 to 5, and it's free. It's a gentle way to talk with kids about remembering the people we love, and the museum frames it that way too: a celebration of ancestors, not a day of mourning.

Grupo los Tecuanes dances at 11, 1, 2:30 and 4 in the Potomac Atrium, which is the easiest thing to plan the day around. Between shows there's Catrina skull decorating from 11 to 1 and again from 2 to 4, plus paper marigolds, papel picado, pan de muerto demonstrations and a community ofrenda.

For younger kids, the 10:30 story time is for ages 3 to 9 and happens in imagiNATIONS, the activity center on Level 3. The museum says that room may need a free timed ticket, so stop at the Level 3 desk when you arrive. If you want a full museum day, the Postal Museum's Stamp & Scream is the same day, a short Metro ride away.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Plan around a dance. Grupo los Tecuanes performs at 11, 1, 2:30 and 4.
• ✓Go early for story time. The 10:30 story time is for ages 3 to 9.
• ✓Ask at the Level 3 desk. The imagiNATIONS activity center may need a free timed ticket.
• ✓Talk about it on the way. It helps kids to know the day is about remembering people, not about being scary.
• ✓Stack two museums. Stamp & Scream at the Postal Museum runs the same day, 11 to 3.

Questions Parents Ask

When is Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of the American Indian?

Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 10am to 5pm at the museum on the National Mall in Washington, DC.

Is it free?

Yes. The Día de los Muertos celebration at the museum is free.

What time are the dance performances?

Grupo los Tecuanes dances at 11am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm in the Potomac Atrium.

Is there something for little kids?

Yes. A story time at 10:30am is for ages 3 to 9, and there's Catrina skull decorating from 11 to 1 and 2 to 4.