After spending all weekend eating too much candy and joining in all the Halloween festivities, students may need something different to rekindle their spirits — the spirits of their deceased that is.

In celebration of El Dia de los Muertos, The Brunnier Art Museum will present an event Sunday filled with candy crafts, food, games, and displays.

El Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the most significant holidays in Mexican culture, during which families remember and honor loved ones that have died.

Mayrilyn Vaughan, communications specialist for University Museums, said the holiday dates back to the Aztecs who dedicated an entire month to the dead.

“This event is an opportunity for people to immerse themselves in another culture,” she said.

Because of its typical skeleton decorations and death theme, El Dia de los Muertos is often compared to Halloween but in actuality, it is very different, Vaughan said. The holiday was changed to fit in with the Christian holy days All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The celebration allows the dead to return home to visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods, and listen to their favorite music.

Families typically decorate altars with flowers, fruits, vegetables, candles, incense, toys, photos and other remembrances. The aromas of incense and candles are meant to be consumed and enjoyed by the spirits.

At Sundays event, Vaughan said, there will be a reading of the 1997 children’s book “Day of the Dead” by Tony Johnston.

In addition, parents and children can participate in the holiday by making skeleton puppets, masks, tissue paper flowers and tin toys.

“There have been many hours of preparation and help from several people to make this happen.” Vaughan said. “It should be a lot of fun.”

El Dia de Los Muertos celebration will be held Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Brunnier Art Museum, 290 Scheman Building. It is free and open to the public.