The Casa de México in Spain Foundation is unveiling the ninth edition of its Day of the Dead altar, the institution's most visited exhibition of the year. Under the title "Viva la vida!", the 2026 installation has been designed by Mexican artist Beatriz Redo and pays homage to composer Agustín Lara, with a set design inspired by the cemeteries and mountains of Michoacán.
The set recreates a mountain cemetery in Michoacán on the night of Day of the Dead, when, according to tradition, families gather to symbolically reunite with their deceased loved ones.
Beatriz Redo, the designer of this year's installation, explains that she wanted to pay tribute to the monarch butterfly, one of the region's great symbols: "Michoacán is an area of Mexico that receives the migration of the monarch butterfly, a massive migration that comes from Canada and coincides with the days at the end of October and the beginning of November. Tradition also links it to Day of the Dead," she notes.
Among the Purépecha and Mazahua communities of Michoacán, the arrival of these insects in the region's forests is interpreted as the return of the souls of the departed.
Agustín Lara, the musical protagonist of the tour and a great lover of Madrid
The altar is dedicated to Mexican singer and composer Agustín Lara (1897–1970), who was married to film star María Félix. Lara, known as 'El Flaco de Oro', was a prolific composer and author of classics such as 'Granada', 'Solamente una vez', 'María Bonita' and the emblematic chotis 'Madrid', which reflects his close relationship with Spain.
The artist is depicted at the top of the altar as a papier-mâché skull next to his piano, created by artisans Raimundo Amezcua and Marta Linares. New this edition, the entire tour will be accompanied by his most emblematic songs, something unprecedented in this exhibition and which will guide visitors on a visual and sonic journey through one of the most colourful traditions in the world.
Papel picado, a tradition rich in symbolism, and an altar for pets
One of the most representative craft elements on the tour is papel picado, a traditional technique created with hammer and chisel that is also used for patron-saint festivities and birthday parties.
Its role on Day of the Dead goes beyond decoration: "When it is hung up and begins to move, it represents the moment when the souls arrive at the altar to consume everything we have placed in the offering for the deceased," explains Citlali Pérez from Casa de México's Communications Department.
In addition to the main altar, the experience includes a tour with pieces of Mexican folk art and other complementary altars. New for 2026, an altar dedicated to pets has been added to remember the animals that bring so much companionship and happiness to households. On the second floor, visitors can also leave a message for their deceased loved ones; once Casa de México removes the exhibition, these messages are burned in a ceremony.
Beyond Casa de México: altars in Madrid and Santander
The foundation is extending the celebration beyond its headquarters on Calle Alberto Aguilera. In collaboration with Madrid City Council, three other altars will be open to visitors from 23 October to 2 November at:
- CentroCentro, designed by Guillermo González
- La Montaña de los Gatos, in El Retiro park, designed by Fer Ferez
- Arganzuela Greenhouse, designed by the studio Señoritos Creativos
The newly opened Faro Santander cultural centre will also host an altar designed by set designer Cristina Faesler, in collaboration with Casa de México.
A heritage recognised by Unesco
The Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco on 7 November 2003.
Of pre-Hispanic origin, the tradition understands death as the beginning of a journey to Mictlán and sees the altar not as a reason for sorrow, but as a celebration of memory and the bond between generations, through photographs, candles, cempasúchil flowers and objects that were meaningful to the deceased.
Dates, opening hours and free entry to the 2026 Day of the Dead altar
The altar can be visited from 2 October to 8 November, Monday to Sunday, including the public holidays on 12 October and 2 November. Admission is free.
Monday: 10:00 – 18:45
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 – 13:45
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 – 12:30
Guided visit (around 20 minutes, covering the building's three floors): Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 20:30, Saturdays from 13:00 to 20:30 and Sundays from 13:00 to 18:30.
Access without a booking is via a queue and is subject to capacity; for the guided visit with booking, you must subscribe to Casa de México's newsletter at casademexico.es.
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