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Continue ShoppingDay of the Dead at Britannia Mine Museum
A vibrant cultural celebration of life, memory, and tradition
This Halloween step into a celebration unlike any other at Britannia Mine Museum —a joyful and meaningful Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration that brings together history, art, and storytelling in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Rooted in the rich traditions of Mexican culture, this special event honours the past and celebrates the present through an immersive underground tour, colourful displays and interactive experiences for all ages.
Date:
October: 18, 19, 25, and 26
November: 1 and 2
Time:
7 Special tours from 10 am to 3 pm
Cost:
4 and under are free
5-17 years: $25
18 and up: $30
Note: Halloween Underground Tours do not include a BOOM! show or access to the historic Mill; ticketholders can upgrade to include a BOOM! Show for $10 per guest.
Regular underground tours will be charged our usual pricing and will continue to include a BOOM! show.
Day of the Dead festivities
Underground Tour
Elements of Alebrije
Join us for a special Día de Los Muertos-themed underground tour, where a guide will lead you on a journey to gather the four essential elements—earth, fire, air, and water—to explore the world of alebrijes, fantastical creatures inspired by Mexican folk art.
This interactive adventure connects mining heritage with cultural traditions and includes a train ride through our underground tunnel.
Machine Shop Fiesta
Art, Memory & Marigolds
Above ground, the Machine Shop transforms into a celebration of colour and community. Stroll through the Monarch Forest, wander a Mexican Village, and explore the festive Calavera Tunnel. Discover the magic of paper maché, learn the meaning behind ofrendas (altars), and celebrate the spirit of remembrance through art and community.
Ofrendas (Altars) Message Cards
Kids can write a wish, memory, or draw a picture for a loved one, then place it on the altar. In Día de los Muertos tradition, altars (or ofrendas) are filled with offerings that honor and remember family members — making each child’s contribution a heartfelt part of the celebration.
Sugar Skull Colouring sheets
Kids can bring sugar skulls to life with black-and-white designs ready to colour using markers, crayons, or magical UV pens. Sugar skulls are a playful tradition of Día de los Muertos, symbolizing the joy of remembering loved ones. And the best part? Their creations will glow brightly when they step into the glow-in-the-dark tunnel!
Paper Marigolds Station
With safe, child-friendly scissors, kids can cut and twist colorful tissue paper to create their own marigold flowers. Marigolds, known as cempasúchil, are the traditional flower of Día de los Muertos, believed to guide spirits back with their vibrant color and scent — and now kids can take a little piece of that tradition home!
Scavenger Hunt: The Monarch's Journey
Begin your adventure at the Machine Shop, where you’ll receive a printed treasure map to guide your Monarch Butterfly Hunt. At each stop, uncover hidden clues that flutter you along the migration path — just like monarchs traveling from Canada to Mexico. Follow the trail carefully, and your journey will end with a special prize waiting to be discovered!
Day of the Dead FAQs
Whether you're visiting during Halloween or simply seeking a cultural experience that inspires, Day of the Dead at Britannia Mine Museum invites you to come together in celebration, honouring the past, embracing the present, and lighting up the museum with music, marigolds, and meaningful moments.
Make this Halloween more than just spooky chills and thrills. Go on an enchanting journey and learn about tradition, culture and memory by celebrating the Day of the Dead at the Britannia Mine Museum.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about this event.
Día de los Muertos — Spanish for “Day of the Dead” — is a traditional Mexican holiday held mainly on November 1–2 to honor and remember deceased loved ones.
It’s not meant to be a sad occasion; instead, it’s a colorful, joyful celebration that blends Indigenous Aztec customs with Catholic influences brought by Spanish colonization.
Key elements:
- Altars (ofrendas) are decorated with photos, candles, marigolds, food, and favourite items of the deceased.
- Marigolds (cempasúchil) — their bright color and scent are believed to guide spirits home.
- Skull imagery (calaveras) — often sugar skulls or painted faces, symbolizing the beauty of life and death.
- Parades, music, and food — bringing families and communities together.
- In some regions, monarch butterflies are believed to carry the souls of ancestors, since they arrive from migration around the same time.
It’s even recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage.
2025 marks 50 years to the Britannia Mine Museum. We are honouring the legacy of the Britannia Mine Museum by hosting a special cultural event that reflects the Museum’s commitment to diverse and inclusive programming.
Each autumn, monarch butterflies migrate from breeding grounds in Canada to central Mexico, arriving during Día de los Muertos, where they are seen as returning souls. Along this journey, they pass through landscapes shaped by culture, ecology, and industries such as mining, which is part of the economic fabric in both countries. This migration is both a natural wonder and a cultural bridge, connecting traditions, ecosystems, and livelihoods across North America.
Think of Disney’s 2017 movie Coco — this event will capture similar elements, reimagined through our own interpretation. This event is deeply rooted in tradition and culture, offering an authentic glimpse into how the festival is celebrated in Mexico.
No, the entire exhibit space in Machine shop and the Underground tour will be in English! However, some terms will be written in Spanish with English translation.