A new building set is one the way – LEGO La Catrina will celebrate Day of the Dead when the model launched to deliver an enduring symbol of the annual celebration.
LEGO Ideas La Catrina has just been announced in time for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), the annual holiday celebrated in Mexico and certain other Latin American countries, that honours ancestors, friends and family who have passed. Inspired by art that’s associated with the tradition, fans will soon be able to add this cultural icon to their LEGO collections. The Day of the Dead has been popularised around the world by films such as Disney Pixar’s Coco and The Book of Life.
José Miguel Medina Pérez created the beautiful model and shared it on LEGO Ideas. Other users on the platform voted for it, until it reached the 10,000 threshold and the LEGO Group assessed the concept to see if it could be offered as an official building set. Now, the professional designers are adapting it for release, probably in 2026 or early 2027.
The model takes inspiration from Mexican sculptures and authentic costumes, featuring a dress trimmed in lace, a graceful corseted bodice and a hat covered in marigolds. Even the skeleton itself is designed to be anatomically accurate, with poseable joints and expressions.
La Catrina is a skeletal character that is a symbol for Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico. She’s a skeleton wearing a traditional Mexican dress, which is based on the portrayal by artist Diego Rivera, representing the idea that death is an equal and a cyclical part of life.
“As you might notice, I originally designed this model digitally in pink, but then I built the model using actual bricks, so I gave it a bit of a makeover by switching up the colours,” explained José. “I tweaked some parts to make it sturdier. The colour scheme was inspired by the vibrant patterns of monarch butterflies and marigold flowers, but I kept the main structure intact.”
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Marigold flowers are an iconic symbol for the Day of the Dead, lining streets and ofrendas (family altars) to guide the spirits of the dead home with their vibrant colour and scent. It’s incorporated into the design through the orange dress La Catrina wears, as well as the actual flowers on her hat. The migration of monarch butterflies often coincides with the Day of the Dead, so they have become associated with souls travelling home, hence the inclusion in the model.
Five further LEGO Ideas sets have been announced, including E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Downton Abbey, La Catrina, Ramen, Smurf Village and Go Go Power Rangers! Megazord.. Three more, Daft Punk Concert, The Old Man & The Sea and The Golden Girls have been put into the Parking Lot for further consideration.
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