While Halloween brings costumes and candy, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art marks a different holiday this weekend: Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.

The museum's Family Celebration takes place Sunday, Nov. 1, from 1 to 5 p.m., and admission is free.

The altar exhibition that anchors the celebration runs Oct. 10 through Nov. 15, 2026, according to the museum.

What the holiday is about

Día de los Muertos is observed Nov. 1 and 2 and is centered on honoring the lives of ancestors, WFFT has reported.

The museum describes the holiday as a blend of Meso-American and Christian traditions.

Its exhibition features memorials built by artists, families and community groups from across the region, with elements such as sugar skulls, colorful tissue paper cutouts and photos or personal items of loved ones who have died.

It is a holiday of remembrance rather than a Halloween event, so visitors may want to approach it in that spirit.

The museum has marked the holiday for more than a decade, WBOI reported in 2013.

Sunday's Family Celebration

The celebration includes the gallery exhibition, traditional dancing, children's activities, live music and folkloric characters, according to the museum.

Complimentary baked goods, a cash bar and a Mexican food truck with items for purchase are also listed.

Visit Fort Wayne lists parking at $5 per car in the lot directly north of the museum.

Honoring a loved one

Visitors do not need to build an altar to take part.

The museum invites people to place a framed photo or other personal item on the community altar, or to write a loved one's name on a butterfly while visiting.

A local events calendar describes the annual exhibit as community driven, and the state tourism site has also featured it.

Planning your visit

Whatzup's calendar listed exhibition tickets at $8 to $10 on October dates, separate from Sunday's free celebration, so confirm current pricing with the museum.

The museum also lists a Curator's Tour on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 12:15 p.m.

The exhibition stays up through Nov. 15, so there is time to visit if Sunday does not fit your schedule.

Past coverage shows the exhibit has been a fall fixture in Fort Wayne for years.

Sunday is a busy day, so see our Halloween weekend guide, the Fort Wayne Zoo's Sunday events and Visit Fort Wayne's weekend calendar for other plans.

Hours, prices and event details can change, so confirm with the museum before you go.

The museum says the Día de los Muertos programs are sponsored by the Ardelle and Theresa Glaze Foundation and the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation.