Day of the Dead is on November 2nd every year and plays an important part in Mexican culture and music. Also called All Souls Day, it is an occasion marked by festive celebrations to honor the dead. Cemetaries are cleaned and decorated, special food and candies are prepared, and home altars – which may include Day of the Dead figures and El Dia de los Muertos skull designs, pay homage to one’s ancestors. It is a day of joyous remembrance, not of sadness. The special Mexican folk art paintings, songs, poems, foods and toys created for the day reflect this outlook.