Here’s everything you need to know about the Day of the Dead in Mexico
When did Day of the Dead originate?
Known for its vibrant parades, ghoulish costumes, and elaborate altars filled with four essential elements (wind, water, earth, and fire), Día de Muertos, the Spanish name for Day of the Dead, is not just a day to honor family members who have passed away, it’s also a colorful and joyous celebration of life. Here’s how, when, and where to celebrate the holiday in Mexico, the country most strongly associated with Day of the Dead.
The holiday comes from indigenous traditions.
One of Mexico’s most significant cultural festivals, millions of people come together to celebrate these special days of remembrance. Day of the Dead originated with the indigenous Mexicans who held month-long celebrations honoring the dead and their ancestors. The current version of Dia de Muertos is a combination of All Souls Day, brought over by the Spanish invaders, and ancient Aztec traditions.
When does Mexico celebrate Day of the Dead?
The holiday comes from indigenous traditions.
One of Mexico’s most significant cultural festivals, millions of people come together to celebrate these special days of remembrance. Day of the Dead originated with the indigenous Mexicans who held month-long celebrations honoring the dead and their ancestors. The current version of Dia de Muertos is a combination of All Souls Day, brought over by the Spanish invaders, and ancient Aztec traditions.
When does Mexico celebrate Day of the Dead?
This may be a Halloween-adjacent holiday, but it’s very distinct from it.
Day of the Dead is celebrated each year on November 1 and 2—Día de los Angelitos and Día de los Difuntos, respectively—and coincides with the Roman Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Most people, who celebrate Day of the Dead by holding graveside vigils, will arrive weeks in advance to begin cleaning the headstones in the cemeteries. From there, they’ll sit with their deceased ancestors from the night of October 31 onwards.
You can also expect to see the country begin to carpet itself with cempasuchiles (Mexican marigolds), calacas (skeletons), and Catrinas (sugar skulls) from mid-October onwards. Add to that, you’ll encounter plenty of parades, markets, and Day of the Dead–themed events, often taking place prior to the official dates.
Where are the best places in Mexico to celebrate Día de Muertos?
It all depends on the experience you’re looking to have.
While celebrations are held throughout the country, Mexico’s most famous Day of the Dead celebrations occur in the country’s central and southern stretches, particularly Mexico City, Oaxaca, and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Celebrations: For a wealth of interesting events, massive public altars, and major parades—including the Spectre-inspired Desfile de Día de Muertos—head to Mexico City, where Day of the Dead is celebrated with a bang. And for cemeteries, the nearby town of San Andrés Mixquic is also well known for its poignant celebrations, including a midnight candlelit vigil in the cemetery.
Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead Celebrations: Oaxaca’s festivities are equally legendary, with street parades, costumed participants, and an embarrassment of riches when it comes to some of the country’s most delicious seasonal cuisine. Oaxaca is located in southern Mexico, about a 5.5-hour drive or an hour-long flight from Mexico City.
Isla Janitzio: Then there are the popular celebrations held on Isla Janitzio in the middle of Lake Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, about a 4.5-hour drive west from Mexico City. To get here, you’ll need to take a ferry from the town of Pátzcuaro. Once on the island, expect to find moving graveside vigils, delicious food, and much more—it’s a particularly unique celebration, as the island is considered a gateway to heaven. It’s also rich in indigenous traditions, thanks to the large Purépecha population.
What are Day of the Dead traditions?
From bespoke altars to sharing food with loved ones, communities honor the deceased in various ways.
Day of the Dead in Mexico is celebrated in a variety of ways, depending on the community and culture. However, there are some common elements in most celebrations.
Ofrendas (Altars): Altar building takes center stage throughout the country, as colorful ofrendas are dedicated to the dead. Expect to see fluttering, delicate papel picado (paper bunting), dainty sugar skulls, lit candles, cempasuchiles (Mexican marigolds), and other personal effects, from photographs to meaningful objects. You may also smell copal incense, which is often burned at ofrendas.
Graveside vigils: Cemetery visits are another popular way to mark the special day, as family members spend the night at the tombs of their deceased loved ones, lighting candles and preparing ofrendas to guide the deceased back into the land of the living for the celebrations.
Day of the Dead food: Food is another important element of Day of the Dead in Mexico. Look out for a wealth of pan de muerto (literally “dead bread”), which differs in shape, size, flavor, and taste from region to region. The orange-flavored, sugar-dusted version is one of the most well-known and popular though.
Calaveras and calacas (skulls and skeletons): Finally, pay special attention to the number of calaveras and calacas dotted about the place. While these spooky-to-some figures have always had their place in Day of the Dead celebrations, they also recall the satirical illustration of La Catrina garbancera by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, one now intimately linked to the season. Calaveras and calacas are represented in many different ways, from skull makeup to sugar skulls (which are decorative and not be eaten!).
Note: The Day of the Dead is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the town.
