One of Manhattan’s busiest crossroads is about to make room for the dead. Beginning Monday, October 26, a sprawling community altar called Twenty Petal Flower will take over Flatiron North Plaza, at Broadway and 23rd Street, inviting anyone passing through to stop, remember someone they have lost and leave something in their honor.

The installation anchors the fifth annual Día de Muertos celebration from the Flatiron NoMad Partnership. The ofrenda will be on view through Tuesday, November 3, and visitors are encouraged to bring mementos and remembrances of loved ones, turning the artwork into a shared place of remembrance in the middle of the city. You do not need to attend the festival to see it; the altar will be open throughout its run.

The piece traveled a long way to reach Midtown South. Mestiz Studio, founded by artist and designer Daniel Valero in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, collaborated with Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts to build oversized woven flowers, which are arranged across a colorful, tiered altar lit with warm, candle-like lighting.

The name comes from the Nahuatl word cempōhualxōchitl, meaning “twenty petal flower.” According to the announcement, the design follows the cempasúchil, or Mexican marigold, from the fields of Michoacán to the garlands, offerings and elaborate floral structures made for Día de Muertos. It also honors the agricultural workers and artisans whose labor sustains those traditions. “Flowers become an architecture of celebration,” Valero said in the announcement.

Día de Muertos is a Mexican tradition with pre-Hispanic roots that celebrates the memory and presence of those who have died. Offerings, food and flowers help welcome departed loved ones home, according to popular belief, a spirit of hospitality that gives the public artwork its purpose.

For the liveliest visit, the plaza will host a free, all-ages celebration on Wednesday, October 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. Calpulli Mexican Dance Company will present Mexican folklore performances, and visitors can take part in a painted sugar skull activity beneath colorful papel picado decorations. The Partnership is also spotlighting Mexican and Latinx-owned neighborhood businesses through a local business guide, offering a reason to turn a quick stop into an afternoon.

For once, the best reason to pause at Broadway and 23rd Street won’t be a photograph of the Flatiron Building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Twenty Petal Flower Día de Muertos altar located?

The altar is at Flatiron North Plaza, at Broadway and 23rd Street in Manhattan. It is open to the public from Monday, October 26 through Tuesday, November 3.

Do I need to attend the festival to see the altar?

No, the article states that you do not need to attend the festival to see the altar, which will be open throughout its run.

When and what time is the free Día de Muertos celebration at Flatiron Plaza?

The free, all-ages celebration is on Wednesday, October 28, from 3 to 7 p.m. It features Calpulli Mexican Dance Company performances and a painted sugar skull activity.

Who created the Twenty Petal Flower altar?

The altar was made by Mestiz Studio, founded by artist and designer Daniel Valero in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in collaboration with Brooklyn’s Powerhouse Arts.

What does the name Twenty Petal Flower mean?

The name comes from the Nahuatl word cempōhualxōchitl, meaning “twenty petal flower.” The design draws on the cempasúchil, or Mexican marigold.

Editorial Transparency. A first draft of this story was produced with AI-assisted writing tools, then reviewed for accuracy and tone by the named editor before publication. More on our process: Editorial Policy.