The museum's 40th annual Día de Muertos exhibition looks back through its Permanent Collection to trace how the tradition, and the museum itself, have evolved. It explores the holiday's Mesoamerican and Catholic roots and honors Chicano Studies pioneer Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas. A courtyard installation features youth-created art and a community ofrenda where visitors can add tributes to loved ones.
The National Museum of Mexican Art has put on a Día de Muertos exhibition every fall for 40 years, and this year's show looks back at that history. Instead of a single theme, it draws on the museum's own Permanent Collection to show how the tradition, and the museum, have changed over four decades. The galleries walk through the holiday's roots in Mesoamerican and Catholic practice, and the exhibition honors Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas, a pioneer of Chicano Studies. Out in the courtyard, an installation includes art made by young people through Yollocalli Arts Reach, along with a community ofrenda where anyone can add a tribute to someone they've lost. It's a good visit before or after the museum's Día de los Muertos Xicágo celebration in Harrison Park on October 24, and it stays up through the end of November. Admission is always free. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM, and offers gallery tours in English and Spanish.
On view Sept 25 – Nov 29, 2026, Tue–Sun 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (closed Mondays). Gallery tours in English and Spanish; Late Wednesdays programming; Yollocalli Arts Reach courtyard installation and community ofrenda.
Details checked against the official organizer on Oct 5, 2026. Times and prices can change, so confirm with the organizer before you go.