L21R's Guide to Mexico’s Day of the Dead Festival
For three days each year between October 31st and November 2nd, families and friends across Mexico commemorate those they have lost in the name of Día de Muertos.
It may take place around the same time as Halloween, but don’t be fooled by the name: Day of the Dead is not meant as a festival of fear, but as a celebration of life, packed with music, food, parades and parties.
Deeply rooted in Mexican culture, Día de Muertos was traditionally quite a private affair in which families honored their dead, but the opening sequence to popular James Bond film Spectre, set in Mexico City during the parade, has opened the eyes of the world to these festivities, and turned them into a major tourist attraction for the country.
If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Mexico at this special time of year, why not join the celebrations for a day or two? After all, as they say, ‘Death is a part of life, and life should be celebrated!’ Here’s our ultimate guide to experiencing Day of the Dead...
Where did ‘Day of the Dead’ come from?
Mexican death rituals in Pre-Hispanic times focused on maintaining a relationship with your loved ones, even after they had passed on to the next realm – the dead were usually buried in tombs beneath the household, so they could remain close to their families.
When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they brought Catholicism, and with it, the practices of All Souls’ and All Saints Day. These traditions merged with existing indigenous beliefs, resulting in the vivid festivities that we know today.
What does the festival involve?
Although the celebrations usually last for three days, November 2nd is the official ‘Day of the Dead’.
The preceding day, November 1st, is called Día de los Angelitos or ‘day of the little angels’, reserved especially for celebrating the souls of lost children.
One of the most traditional elements of Día de Muertos is the decoration of altars, or ofrendas, which are bedecked with food, drinks, possessions that belonged to the deceased individual, photographs, and Catholic iconography such as paintings or statues of the Virgin Mary.
The altars are also adorned with candles and Marigolds; the color and scent of which are said to draw the spirit back to their home.
When paying a visit to a Day of the Dead festival be sure to taste their pan de muerto, a sweet bread decorated with doughy bones and skulls.
This ‘bread of the dead’ can be found in any local Mexican market in the weeks leading up to the festival, or you can try making your own using this recipe.
Celebrations happen in every form here, and one of the most beloved is the literary calavera. If you speak any Spanish, you’ll know that calavera means ‘skull’ or ‘skeleton’, but a literary calavera is a day of the dead poem. Usually light and humorous, these poems tend to poke fun at the living!
You can also find skulls in candy form! During Day of the Dead, sugar skulls are used when decorating the ofrendas, and variations, such as sugar skull cakes and cookies, are often sold as children’s treats during the festival.
If you’re really keen to get involved in the revelry, you’ll be dressing up as the long-established face of the festival, La Calavera Catrina.
First conceived by Mexican illustrator José Guadalupe Posada as a satirical portrait of the upper class, Catrina has been captured by many other artists, including Diego Rivera.
Nowadays she is brought to life by thousands of people in annual Day of the Dead parades across Mexico, where locals dress in vibrantly hued floral dresses and wear skulls on their faces; with elaborate masks, or paint and jewels.
Catrina embodies a key sentiment of Day of the Dead – todos somos calaveras – ‘we are all skeletons’, reminding us that beneath everything on the surface, we are all the same after all.
How can I experience Day of the Dead in Mexico?
If you’re eager to visit Mexico during Day of the Dead, you’ll need to plan your vacation around the dates of the festival: October 31st to November 2nd.
As the celebrations only last three days, it is the perfect, memorable event to fit into your holiday!
Find an appropriately colorful costume to wear, and check out websites such as Pinterest for some great fancy dress and makeup inspiration.
Remember, wherever you choose to join the inclusive festival, be respectful of the families who are honoring their dead – partake in the parades and parties, but admire the altars from afar.
Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout the whole of Mexico, but we have some favorite places for an authentic Día de Muertos experience...
Isla de Janitzio
Located in the western state of Michoacán, in the center of Lake Pátzcuaro, is Janitzio, ‘the place where it rains’.
It’s believed that Janitzio is responsible for the idea of dead spirits returning to the living world, meaning that the Day of the Dead likely originated here!
Janitzio probably offers the most genuine experience of the festival, and every year the island sees thousands of visitors coming to partake in the celebrations.
You can join a candlelit boat procession over to the island, and remain there for a night-long celebratory vigil in the island’s cemetery.
Due to this small, secluded island becoming quite overcrowded during the festival, we recommend staying in a town close to the lake such as nearby Patzcuaro, home to many elegant colonial hotels, such as the charming Hotel Mansión de los Sueños.
The Yucatan Peninsula
The rich Mayan culture of the Yucatan Peninsula make it a spectacular area of Mexico for enjoying Day of the Dead.
Visit the city of Merida to see the Mayan Día de Muertos ritual, Hanal Pixan, or take a trip to the Xcaret Eco Park to see a fresh spin on the festivities, where a different Mexican state is invited to the park each year to offer their take on the celebrations.
The luxurious coastal city of Cancun also offers a take on the event; head downtown to see the ‘dinner of souls’ celebration, which includes almost 500 performances, a never-ending variety of food, and a nightly street parade.
If you’re planning on partying in the Yucatan Peninsula, we suggest staying in Cancun, which is brimming with relaxing beaches, rich culture, watersports and wildlife.
The Ocean Spa Cancun is perfect for comfortably accommodating the whole family or you can opt for beachfront luxury at Krystal Cancun.
Check out our rentals page to find your perfect vacation rental in Cancun!
Mexico City
The vivid Day of the Dead parade in the country’s capital begins at the Angel of Independence, and takes you down the famous Paseo de la Reforma to the Palacio de Belles Artes.
In the evening, pay a visit to the eerily beautiful Floating Gardens of Xochimilco, where the festivities continue long into the night, and theatrical shows are performed by candlelight.
You can also stop by the Diego Rivera Mural Museum, where you can see his interpretation of La Calavera Catrina in his famous 1947 mural ‘Dream of a Sunday afternoon in Alameda Central Park’.
The skeletal Day of the Dead icon is depicted amid a crowd of other famous faces – including his own wife, Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.
We recommend staying in the leafy, hipster Roma Norte district at the beautiful La Valise Hotel.
Check out our suggestions for more things to do on vacation in Mexico City!
While Mexico is a stunning destination at any time of year, we know you’ll be tempted to visit in the fall and take part in the monumental Day of the Dead celebrations!
After all, life is meant to be celebrated!
Check out our blog for more on Mexico!
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