Halloween terrifies us every year. We cower behind darkened doors, hoping the pint-size ghosts and goblins don’t smash our Halloween Superstore shit when they discover that we’re keeping the candy for ourselves.

In your desperation to make it through Halloween, you probably completely forgot about Dia de los Muertos.

The Day of the Dead, Nov. 1, slacker, is seen by many as Mexico’s most important holiday, a time to honor family members, friends and mentors who have passed on in a loving, respectful way.

However, it is not too early to appease your indignant kin. This year, introduce mini-monsters to the Mexican practice of Dia de Los Muertos at the Tacoma Art Museum. Kiddies (and the young at heart) will love the killer traditional music and dancing, the annual show of altars and hands-on art projects.

Plus, everyone can celebrate the cost — it’s all free.

[Tacoma Art Museum, Sunday, Nov. 1, noon to 5 p.m., free, 1701 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.4258]