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Day of the Dead 2010 Celebrations Kick Off Internationally (PHOTOS)

Day of the Dead 2010 Celebrations Kick Off Internationally (PHOTOS)
Curtis M. Wong
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For many Roman Catholics around the world, Halloween is officially old news, as many will partake in colorful celebrations today to mark another spooky holiday known as the All Saints' Day or in Mexico, Dia de los Muertos.

Most consider All Saints' Day to be a day of remembrance given in honor of revered saints as well as loved ones who've passed on. But that doesn't mean it's a solemn affair -- in Mexico and other Latin American nations, the celebrations include food, music, lively parades and elaborate costumes. The party usually lasts at least until All Souls' Day on Nov. 2, and has been known to extend to a full week.

See photos of countries celebrating and honoring All Saints' Day here:

Day of the Dead
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A skeleton features in an altar assembled for a Day of the Dead exhibition at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington. (credit:AP)
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Residents celebrate Day of the Dead to honor the deceased, a tradition which coincides with All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2. (credit:AP)
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General view of a cemetery during the start of Day of the Dead celebrations in San Gregorio, Mexico on Oct. 31. (credit:AP)
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A "zombie" takes part in a night parade on the eve of All Saints Day on October 31, 2010, at the Morazan Park in San Jose, Costa Rica. (credit:Getty)
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Ghostly spirits join in nuptial doom in Costa Rica. (credit:Getty)
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A costumed "skeleton" participates in a parade for the National Encounter of Masquerades, in the eve of All Saints Day, at the central park of Aserri, 15 km from San Jose. (credit:Getty)
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A person wearing a devil mask participates in a parade for the National Encounter of Masquerades. (credit:Getty)
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Colorful masks featured in the parade. (credit:Getty)
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Filipinos walk past a man inside a pink coffin as they head towards cemetries to honor the dead in Manila. (credit:Getty)
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An dancer performs the typical Andean "Scissor Dance." (credit:Getty)
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A man decorates with flowers the grave of a relative at a cemetery in Mexico City. (credit:Getty)
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An indigenous family decorates the grave of a relative at the municipal cemetery of San Juan, west of Guatemala City. (credit:Getty)
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Haitians pay homage to relatives with food, drink and religious items. (credit:Getty)

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