Day of the Dead vs Halloween: Why They’re Not the Same

The other day I was at a local bookstore and came across a table full of Halloween-themed adult coloring books. Among them was a Día de los Muertos coloring book, right next to one with horror and monsters on the cover. I so wanted to get on my soapbox and tell the whole store that Halloween and Day of the Dead are not the same thing. But I didn’t. Instead, I decided it would make a great blog post. 😊

So, What Does This Have to Do with Theda Learn?

If you’re new to Theda Learn, you might be wondering what this “holiday” has to do with creativity and self-expression. Well, they actually have a lot in common! Día de los Muertos isn’t a “holiday” like Halloween - it’s a time to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed away. And those who celebrate do so in a deeply creative, colorful, and beautiful way.

Another way it connects to Theda is through my teaching background. I used to teach a college course called Families & End of Life Issues, where I helped students understand how people around the world experience death, dying, and grief. I loved exploring cultural traditions, from burial rituals to remembrance practices, and weaving those lessons into discussions about empathy and understanding. Because Theda is a space for exploring and expressing ourselves, I wanted to bring some of that same curiosity to kids through learning about Día de los Muertos, a celebration that many may not have heard of before.

I even created a printable activity pack for kids in my Etsy shop to help families learn about it together. But instead of diving into all the details of the holiday here, I want to focus on what makes it different from Halloween, and why people often mix the two up.

Same Season, Very Different Stories

When it comes to Day of the Dead vs Halloween, it’s easy to see why people confuse the two. Both happen around the same time of year, and both include skeletons, costumes, and bright colors. But that’s about where the similarities end.

Halloween

Halloween has its roots in an ancient Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, a time people believed the boundary between the living and spirit worlds was thin. Over time, it blended with Christian traditions and eventually became the playful holiday we know today.

Now it’s all about costumes, candy, and creativity. Kids (and plenty of adults) get to imagine themselves as someone or something else for a night - superheroes, witches, pumpkins, or even tacos. 😄 It’s a celebration of fun, imagination, and just the right amount of spooky.

Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is very different. It’s a beautiful mix of Indigenous beliefs and Catholic traditions that takes place on November 1st and 2nd. Instead of trying to scare away spirits, families welcome them back by honoring loved ones who have passed away with love, food, and music.

Families build ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, photos, and favorite foods of those who’ve died. It’s not meant to be sad or scary; it’s a celebration of life and connection. It’s about remembering that even though someone’s body is gone, their spirit is still part of the family story.

It’s really just a joyful way to remember the people you miss. 🧡

🌎 Where It’s Celebrated

Día de los Muertos is most often celebrated in Mexico and by families with Mexican heritage around the world. Each region adds its own unique traditions, foods, and art. Some families visit cemeteries to decorate graves and share stories, while others celebrate at home with music, food, and candlelight. No matter where it’s held, the heart of the celebration is the same: remembering loved ones with joy instead of fear.

🌼 Bringing It All Together

Both holidays show how creative people can be when it comes to expressing big ideas like fear, love, memory, and imagination. One invites us to dress up and play, while the other invites us to reflect and remember. And both remind us that creativity connects us - to our feelings, to our families, and to each other.

That’s what I love most about learning from other cultures. When we take the time to understand the why behind a tradition, we don’t just learn facts; we learn empathy, curiosity, and respect.

And that’s exactly what Theda Learn is about: helping kids explore the world through creativity and open-hearted learning.

If your family would like to learn more about Día de los Muertos in a hands-on, kid-friendly way, you can check out my Day of the Dead Activity Pack that introduces children to the meaning behind the celebration through art, writing, and color. It’s a gentle way to spark curiosity and appreciation for this vibrant tradition - no soapbox required!

Christy 🌼