15 Colorful Ideas for Dia de los Muertos Decorations
Updated: Nov. 03, 2023
Mark your calendars for November 2nd: Dia de los Muertos. We found masks, DIY projects, candles and more Dia de los Muertos decorations for an epic celebración.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, Central America and South America. The holiday is on November 2nd (All Souls Day) but the party can last as long as a week. Let us help find the best Dia de los Muertos decorations for your fiesta.
Mexican Papel Picado (Paper Banner)
Picture these intricate Mexican paper banners ($8) strung across the room. Your party is already off to a great start! The colors and lacy designs made in the style of the Mexican folk craft are on point with traditional Dia de los Muertos decor.
Skull Centerpiece
Skulls, or calaveras, are everywhere in Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and important symbol of departed souls. Place this ornately decorated skull ($26) on your table surrounded by low, glowing candles and flower petals and even add small gifts for guests.
Paper Lanterns & Flowers
Use these large and colorful paper decorations ($25) for entryways, across garden paths or clustered together to hang over tables. This pack comes with several paper lanterns, garlands, flowers and honeycombs. They assemble quickly and the colors are stunning. Don’t forget the authentic Mexican dishes for your party table.
Luminary Bags
What better way to welcome guests to your Day of the Dead party than with a pathway of skull luminary bags ($6) lighting the way to your front door? The bags would make great table centerpieces, too. Use them with battery-operated or LED votives.
Skull Masks
Traditional Dia de los Muertos celebrations include beautiful and ornate face painting or masks. These half-face masks ($15) are not only beautiful but make it easy for guests to still eat and socialize—and they’re a lot less time-consuming than make-up.
Marigold Petals
Marigolds are the traditional flowers used in Day of the Dead displays, especially on the ofrendas or altars where departed loved ones are remembered. Use orange and yellow silk flower petals ($10) to decorate tables and entryways at your party. Then, set out trays of Mexican and Latin appetizers to keep guests happy!
Pillar Candles
Candles are traditionally placed on ofrendas, at gravesites and next to photos of loved ones. We love this set of flameless pillar candles ($20) for your Dia de los Muertos decorations. The clean, simple look makes them useful for other holidays, too.
DIY Tissue Paper Flowers
Abundant flowers and color are part of what sets the Day of the Dead decor apart from the darker mood of Halloween. Use colorful tissue paper ($12) in various sizes to create stunning, airy flowers using an easy DIY tutorial like this one from ¡Hola! Jalapeno.
Catrina Figurines
Beginning in the early 20th century, La Calavera Catrina, a skeleton lady in an elegant dress and hat, became a popular representation of Dia de los Muertos. La Catrina figurines ($40) are just the thing to add that macabre elegance to your table centerpiece.
Day of the Dead Plates & Napkins
Set a festive table with disposable plates and napkins ($16). This set serves 16 guests, and we love the design of aqua, orange and purple flowers around the grinning sugar skulls.
Homemade Sugar Skulls
With this sugar skull mold ($15) and a few basic ingredients, you can make authentic sugar skulls for your Dia de los Muertos party. Decorate the skulls with frosting and glitter. They’re easy and fun to make, great as part of the decor or for gifts. Plan B: Make a batch of Day of the Dead cookies.
Day of the Dead Backdrop
This enormous photo backdrop ($20) is perfect to welcome guests. Hang it in the entryway, across a backyard patio or by the refreshments table. It’s colorful and will set the mood for all who see it.
Sugar Skull Prints
This trio of sugar skull prints ($22) has artwork screened onto canvas and stretched onto wood frames—ready to hang as soon as you get them. The vivid colors on the skulls contrast beautifully with the distressed texture of the backgrounds.
Cupcake Toppers
Guests of all ages will appreciate these cute cupcake toppers and wrappers ($19)! Whip up your best, crowd-pleasing cupcake recipe, then dress them up for the Dia de los Muertos holiday.
Favor Bags
A perfect end to your Dia de los Muertas party: sending guests home with treats packed in gorgeous favor bags ($19). Fill them with treats like candy, skeleton masks, tiny gifts or maybe a batch of Mexican wedding cakes.
Originally Published: September 11, 2019
