Día de los Muertos Community Celebrations

Día de Los Muertos Mariposa (Butterfly) Wings at KiDiMu 2025

Bring the kids and grandkids to BIMA’s neighbor and children’s museum KiDiMu to make and decorate butterfly wings for the mariposa (butterfly) processions to BIMA for the Día de Los Muertos Community Celebrations! There will be a tent outside with butterfly wing supplies, blue blocks to play on, and bubbles from 9 AM-3 PM. If you make wings and wear them to KiDiMu, your group will receive 50% off admission to KiDiMu all day.

Processions will happen twice, just before the Community Celebration ceremonies, leaving KiDiMu at 11 AM and 3 PM. Both ceremonies are currently sold out. The ceremonies will be livestreamed at the BIMA Auditorium, though seating is limited.

Plus, between and after the ceremonies (12:30-3 PM and 4:30-5 PM), you can still visit the Día de los Muertos & Beyond II exhibition and the ofrenda at BIMA, no ticket needed.

On Saturday, November 1, BIMA will be transformed by Community Celebrations that are memorable, beautiful, and deeply rooted in cultural significance. This year, two ceremonies presented by Alice Mendoza will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with free tickets required to attend. The day begins with a joyful procession of children dressed as butterflies, leading guests along a flower-lined path into a museum vibrant with music, art, and activity.

At the heart of the celebration is a traditional ofrenda—a colorful, multi-paneled shrine created by artist Araceli Cruz—where visitors are invited to add mementos and stories honoring loved ones who have passed on. Guests can enjoy samples of champurrado (traditional Mexican hot chocolate) and pan de muerto, participate in make-and-take art activities, receive traditional face painting, and listen to strolling musicians performing Mexican folk songs.

Festivities Schedule

9:00 AM – Come to KiDiMu to make your butterfly wings!

10:45 AM – Guests gather for the butterfly procession from KiDiMu to BIMA.

11:00 AM – First Ceremony (ticket required)

• Free bread & chocolate available until 12:30 PM
• Live music during ceremony window

12:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• Art activities & face painting in the classroom (begin right after the first ceremony and continue all afternoon)
• Día de los Muertos videos playing in the Auditorium

2:45 PM – Guests gather for the butterfly procession from KiDiMu to BIMA.

3:00 PM – Second Ceremony (ticket required)

• Free bread & chocolate available until 4:30 PM
• Live music during ceremony window