Traditionally, El Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) is observed on Nov. 1 and 2. But this year, Rhode Islanders can get a head start on the holiday, which commemorates loved ones who have passed away, by visiting the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology gallery at Brown University.

This weekend, the museum is hosting an array of family-oriented Day of the Dead activities, including free mask-making and altar-building workshops. Times for the workshops are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., today through Sunday.

Visitors can also say a prayer at a traditional ofrenda, or Day of the Dead altar, constructed with the help of RISD students and local artists. The altar, which commemorates victims of gang violence in Rhode Island, will be dedicated Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m.

The Haffenreffer Museum is located in Manning Hall, near the corner of Prospect and Waterman streets in Providence. For more information call (401) 253-8388 or visit www.haffenreffermuseum.org.

Correction: The date of the dedication was incorrectly reported in an earlier version of this story.