Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is an annual multi-day observance that builds from October 31 through November 2, with November 1 dedicated to deceased children (Día de los Inocentes) and November 2 dedicated to deceased adults. Whether today is Day of the Dead therefore depends on the current date in relation to this fixed yearly calendar. In 2025, the official public observances occur on November 1 and 2; in 2024 they occurred on November 1 and 2; in 2023 they occurred on November 2 and 3; and in 2022 they occurred on November 1 and 2.
While rooted in Indigenous Mesoamerican rituals, the celebration aligns with Catholic All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day, and All Souls’ Day, and is recognized widely in Mexico and by Mexican communities across the United States and globally. The following sections detail the timeline, regional differences, common practices, and how to verify whether Day of the Dead is being observed today.