Casa de México in Madrid presents "Viva la vida!", its 2026 Day of the Dead altar, a tribute to Agustín Lara inspired by Michoacán and the monarch butterfly. For the first time the tour will be set to music. Free entry from 2 Oct to 8 Nov.
The Casa de México Foundation in Spain is presenting 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.
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The staging recreates a cemetery in the mountains of Michoacán on the night of Day of the Dead, when, according to tradition, families come to symbolically reunite with their deceased loved ones.
Beatriz Redo, who designed the installation for this edition, 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 beginning of November. Tradition also links it to the 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 dead.
Agustín Lara, the musical protagonist of the tour who loved 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, a piece created by artisans Raimundo Amezcua and Marta Linares. New in this edition, the entire route through the exhibition will be set to music with his most emblematic songs, something unprecedented until now in this exhibition and which will guide visitors on a visual and sound journey through one of the most colourful traditions in the world.
Papel picado, a tradition full of symbolism and an altar for pets
One of the most representative handcrafted elements along the route is papel picado, a traditional technique using a hammer and chisel that is also used for patron saint festivals and birthdays.
Its role on the 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 dead," explains Citlali Pérez from Casa de México's Communications Department.
As well as the main altar, the experience includes a route featuring pieces of Mexican folk art and other supplementary altars. New for 2026 is an altar dedicated to pets, to remember the animals that bring so much companionship and happiness to households. In addition, on the second floor the public can leave a message for their deceased loved ones and, 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 in Calle Alberto Aguilera. In collaboration with Madrid City Council, three other altars can be visited from 23 October to 2 November at:
- Centro Centro, designed by Guillermo González
- La Montaña de los Gatos, in El Retiro park, designed by Fer Ferez
- The Arganzuela Greenhouse, designed by the Señoritos Creativos studio
The newly opened Faro Santander cultural centre will also host an altar designed by set designer Cristina Faesler, in collaboration with Casa de México.
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 towards Mictlán, and sees the altar not as a source of sorrow but as a celebration of memory and the bond between generations, through photographs, candles, cempasúchil flowers and objects that were meaningful for the dead.
Dates, opening times and free admission to see 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 tour (about 20 minutes, covering the building's three floors): Tuesday to Friday from 14:00 to 20:30, Saturday from 13:00 to 20:30 and Sunday from 13:00 to 18:30.
Entry without a reservation is by queue and is subject to capacity; to take part in the guided tour with a reservation, you must subscribe to Casa de México's newsletter at casademexico.es.
