Día de los Muertos at the New York Botanical Garden

The New York Botanical Garden is hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration from October 3 through November 2, 2026, and the Garden describes it as new this year. The theme is memory, life and renewal, built around bright marigold blooms and a community ofrenda. Friendly spirit guides lead visitors along a trail past artfully arranged calaveras and an oversized Catrina decked in flowers, all set among golden fall foliage and festive pumpkins.

The community altar is open to participation. Visitors can add a photograph or a written memory of someone they have lost. Anything left becomes part of the installation and is not returned, and offerings of food or candles are not allowed.

Weekends carry most of the programming. On October 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Bronx-based teaching artist Blanka Amezkua leads hands-on sessions in papel picado, making miniature banners, and in silk flowers to wear and take home. The same workshops run October 31 and November 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. On the first eight dates, Son Pecadores, a New York collective devoted to son jarocho from Veracruz, plays at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. at the entrance to the Everett Children's Adventure Garden.

Families have their own track there. "Mariposas and Marigolds" offers guided activities such as potting a marigold and following a story trail. On October 18, from 1 to 3 p.m., a drop-in workshop teaches natural dyeing with marigold petals. On October 31, from 2 to 3 p.m., the Bronx Children's Museum reads An Ofrenda for Perro, followed by making clay alebrijes; it is recommended for ages 4 to 10.

Other highlights include monarch puppets on October 24 and 25, and La Catrina and skeleton puppets on October 31, November 1 and 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. MAZarte Dance Company performs Mexican folk dance every half hour from 1 to 5 p.m. on October 31 and November 2. The parade steps off Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m. On November 1 and 2, the trail and the children's garden close at 5 p.m.