Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday celebrating life and death of one’s ancestors. Celebrations take place over two days in the fall, November 1 and 2, with traditions including pan de muerto (Mexican sweet bread), calavera (sugar skulls), and ofrendas. These altars are decorated with flowers, candles, food, and photos of relatives who have passed.
In the roundup below, you will find activities, crafts, festivals, and movie showings that help families honor their loved ones through Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Día de los Muertos Events and Exhibits in Chicago’s Suburbs
Día de Muertos: A Celebration of Remembrance (National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago)
September 19 – December 14, 2025 | open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am – 5:00pm
Visit the thirty-nineth annual exhibit, which is dedicated to hundreds in Texas and New Mexico who lost their lives to flooding.
Hispanic Heritage Celebration (Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, Willow Springs)
October 4, 2025 | 10:30am – 12:00pm
Make crafts in anticipation of Dia de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos Crafts (Santori Library, Aurora)
October 26, 2025 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Create festive crafts at the Aurora Public Library.
Day of the Dead Offrenda (Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling)
October 27 – November 3, 2025
Submit a photo in advance to be on display at the Main Library.
Day of the Dead Ofrendas (Warrenville Public Library)
October 27 – November 3, 2025
Visit the community ofrenda all week long at the library.
Day of the Dead Mason Jar Craft (North Riverside Public Library)
October 27, 2025 | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Register in advance to make a sugar skull mason jar lantern.
Sugar Skulls (Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling)
October 27, 2025 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Register in advance for this middle school crafting session.
Calaveras de Azúcar (Poplar Creek Public Library, Streamwood)
October 27, 2025 | 6:00pm – 6:30pm
Decorate a sugar skull for Día de los Muertos. Registration is required.
Día de los Muertos Flower Crowns (Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook)
October 27, 2025 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with flower crowns.
Day of the Dead Celebration (Rolling Meadows)
October 28, 2025 | 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Register for one of two celebrations hosted by the Rolling Meadows Library.
Día de los Muertos: A Bilingual Storytime Event (Woodridge Public Library, Woodridge)
October 28, 2025 | 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Visit the library for festivities.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration (Wonder Works Children’s Museum, Oak Park)
October 30 – November 3, 2025 | during museum hours
Visit the museum for special programming to honor and celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Included in general admission.
Mini Altares (Santori Library, Aurora)
October 30, 2025 | 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Create a mini altar at the library.
Dia de los Muertos Beloved Pets Ofrenda (Brookfield Zoo)
November 1 and 2, 2025 | all day
Submit a photo of your pets to honor them at this special ofrenda.
Dia de Muertos (Oak Park)
November 1, 2025 | 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Visit Scoville Park for a free festival including face painting, sugar skull decorating, live performances and more.
Dia de Muertos: Paper Plate Skulls (Des Plaines Public Library)
November 1, 2025 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Create your own paper plate skull craft using tissue paper while honoring the memories of loved ones who have passed.
Día De Muertos Storytime (Aurora Public Library – West Branch)
November 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Head to the library for a festive storytime.
Geode Skulls: A Day of the Dead Celebration (Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts, Oak Brook)
November 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Explore a hands-on workshop creating your own geode skull. Reservations are required.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration (Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
November 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Make flowers, enjoy a game of Loteria, and celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Día de Muertos Celebration (Elmwood Park Public Library)
November 1, 2025 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Celebrate at this drop-in event with art, music, and more.
Day of the Dead Family Celebration (Indian Trails Public Library District, Wheeling)
November 1, 2025 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with storytime, arts and crafts, and more.
Celebrating Community and Life: Dia de los Muertos (Naperville Central High School)
November 1, 2025 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm
In its third year, this celebration includes music and dancing, food, children’s activities, and more. Hosted by the Alliance of Latinos Motivating Action in the Suburbs.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
November 1, 2025 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Join the nature center in celebrating Día de los Muertos with music, crafts, and more.
Día de los Muertos Brunch (Carnivale, Chicago)
November 2, 2025 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Make reservations for this festive brunch.
Día de los Muertos Celebration (The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago)
November 2, 2025 | 11:00am and 2:00pm
Enjoy a prairie walk to learn about monarch’s connection to Día de los Muertos. Included in general admission.
Dia De Los Muertos (North Riverside)
November 2, 2025 | 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Celebrate with the North Riverside Public Library and Recreation Department, including calaveras, live music, and a community ofrenda.
Celebración Familiar del Día de Muertos (Santori Library, Aurora)
November 2, 2025 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Celebrate with music, dancing, and crafts.
Creation Station: Ceramic Calaveras (Mount Prospect)
November 3, 2025 | 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Create your own calaveras with the help of the Mount Prospect Public Library. No registration is required.
Día de Los Muertos Storytime (Brookfield Public Library)
November 5, 2025 | 10:30am – 11:00am
Celebrate loved ones at this special storytime.
Día de los Muertos Drop-in (Indian Prairie Public Library, Darien)
November 7, 2025 | 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Visit the library to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.
Día de los Muertos Dance (Hanover Park)
November 7, 2025 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Enjoy live music, traditional food, crafts, games, and dancing celebrating Mexican heritage.
Family Concert: Alina Celeste & Mi Amigo Hamlet (Vernon Area Public Library, Lincolnshire)
November 8, 2025 | 11:00am – 11:45am
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with local music artists.
Local Places Showing Disney’s Coco This Fall
While not official Día de los Muertos events, special showings of the movie Coco are a fun way for kids to celebrate or learn more about what makes Día de los Muertos so meaningful.
Halloween Midweek Movie: Coco (Burr Ridge Village Center, Burr Ridge)
October 22, 2025 | 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Pack your blankets for an outdoor showing of Coco.
Coco Movie Sing-Along (St. Charles Public Library)
November 1, 2025 | 10:00am and 2:00pm
Visit the library for a special singing session.
Looking for more family-friendly events? Head to our events calendar!
