Halloween (La Noche de Brujas) and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) are two holidays celebrated at the end of October and beginning of November – they are very different in meaning and traditions.
Halloween, celebrated on October 31, comes from ancient Celtic traditions. People believed spirits could visit the living world on this night. Today, it is a fun holiday with costumes, pumpkins, candy, and trick-or-treating. Children and adults dress up as witches, ghosts, skeletons, and other spooky characters.
Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1 and 2 in Mexico and other Latin American countries, is a holiday to honor and remember loved ones who have passed away. Families build altars (ofrendas) decorated with marigolds (cempasúchil), candles, food, and photos. It’s a colorful and joyful celebration of life, family, and memory, rather than fear.
For Spanish learners, exploring these holidays is a fun way to learn vocabulary and practice language. Our free worksheet includes key words, cognates, a matching activity, and short writing exercises to help students connect with both traditions.
🎶💀Discover the traditions of Día de los Muertos through music.