Austin has a beautiful new reason to slow down and remember. At the Mexic-Arte Museum downtown, Día de los Muertos: Coleccionando Memorias is on view from September 11, 2026 through January 3, 2027, celebrating life, memory and the lasting bonds between the living and those who came before us.
Rooted in Indigenous traditions and shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, Día de los Muertos is traditionally observed on November 1 and 2, when families prepare ofrendas with cempasúchil — marigolds — candles, photographs, favorite foods and personal belongings to honor loved ones. The exhibition starts from a lovely idea: while an ofrenda preserves the memory of an individual, a museum collection preserves the stories of whole communities.
Every artwork, print, sculpture and object on view comes from the Mexic-Arte Museum Permanent Collection and reflects the people, places and traditions that shaped it. Visitors can see José Guadalupe Posada’s iconic calavera prints, the vibrant cartonería of the Linares family, and work by contemporary artists such as Claudia Zapata and Claudia Aparicio, showing how remembrance, identity and celebration travel across generations and borders.
The museum, at 419 Congress Avenue, is open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free for everyone on Sundays, making this joyful, colorful exhibition an easy and meaningful outing in the heart of Austin.
Photo: Mexic-Arte Museum
