10 Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico You Need to Experience at Least Once
Even though the Dia de Muertos holiday revolves around death, it’s anything but a somber affair.
Some Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico are huge parties that last for days, complete with food, music, decorations, and dancing. The guests of honor at these elaborate celebrations? The departed themselves!
During Dia de Muertos, which takes place November 1-2, the veil between the living and the dead is said to thin enough so the departed may cross back over.
The doors of the underworld open up, allowing families to reunite for just two days. Rather than mourning, this is a time to celebrate life and honor the souls who have left the living.
Since the Day of the Dead holiday is the only time of the year when the living and the dead commingle — this is a call for celebration.
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1. Oaxaca City, Oaxaca
Oaxacans love a good party. Their cultural roots run deep, and they seem to find an excuse to party many days of the year.
Besides Day of the Dead, there are festivals in Oaxaca nearly every month.
During Day of the Dead Oaxaca, you’ll see ofrendas (altars), marigold flowers and decorations all over the city’s colorful streets.
Most events take place outdoors, with Oaxacan food, music and parades in every corner of downtown Oaxaca City.
Though it’s called “Day” of the Dead, in Oaxaca, the holiday lasts a week — sometimes more.
If you’re attending, get ready for the experience of a lifetime, where the music is played loud, the Oaxaca mezcal flows and even the dead come to party.
In my opinion, this is the best place to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico!
2. Mexico City
Until recently, Mexico City was never a go-to destination for Day of the Dead festivities. However, that all changed a few years back when the opening scene in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre put it in the spotlight.
The film opens with an epic Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City, which never actually existed.
The story goes that so many people showed up for the parade the year after Spectre came out that the government had to make the scene a reality.
In a moment of life imitating art, the Parade of Alebrijes (AKA Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade) was born.
🤔 Wondering, What is an alebrije? They are colorful chimera creatures, or hybrid animals, which some say serve as spirit guides.
Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade
This is the main event for Day of the Dead Mexico City — and each year, an army of volunteers take over many of the main streets in Mexico City, shutting them down for the parade.
They walk giant alebrijes through the streets, and don colorful costumes depicting traditional Day of the Dead characters.
This parade route begins in the Historic Center of Downtown Mexico City, at the Zocalo, or Main Square.
It moves onto Paseo de la Reforma Avenue, down to the Angel de la Independencia (Angel of Independence).
At the end of the parade, the alebrijes are displayed on the sidewalks lining Paseo de la Reforma.
You can see them between the Angel de la Independencia statue and Diana the Huntress statue for about one week.
Day of the Dead in Xochimilco Mexico City
One of the best things to do in Mexico City during Day of the Dead is going to see La Llorona at Xochimilco (pronounced so-chee-mill-co).
If you’ve ever seen the colorful boats in Mexico City, those are at the canals of Xochimilco.
In pre-Hispanic folklore, La Llorona is a vengeful ghost who roams all waterfront areas. She is doomed to spend eternity mourning her own children, whom she drowned.
Each year in October and November, you can see a performance of La Llorona in Xochimilco at an open-air theater.
You’ll hop on a traditional trajinera boat at night and navigate the Xochimilco canals to an over-the-water stage.
3. San Andrés Mixquic, Mexico City
Looking for a more cultural experience than the Dia de los Muertos Mexico City Parade can provide? Then consider visiting Mixquic Mexico.
About 1.5 hours south of Mexico City, Mixquic (pronounced micks-keek) is one of the most authentic and best places to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico.
Here, an extremely traditional festivity called La Alumbrada is held every year from October 31 to November 2.
During the nights of La Alumbrada festival, all electricity in the village is turned off. The only light in town comes from the candle-lit village cemetery, creating a sight like no other.
The cemetery is also beautifully-decorated, and covered in flowers.
La Alumbrada nights also have traditional Mexican food, mariachi music and La Calavera Catrina face-painting. The event closes with the town’s annual contest, where cardboard skulls made by the locals are rated.
4. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Located in Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende is a colorful town in the highlands of Mexico.
While not considered the most traditional place to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico, locals make a huge effort to commemorate the holiday.
One of the best things to do in San Miguel de Allende during Day of the Dead is the annual La Calaca Festival (Skull’s Festival) in early-November.
This consists of small-scale cultural events, meant to embrace the heritage of Day of the Dead.
There’s also the Catrina Parade in San Miguel de Allende. During this event, local people dressed like skeletons make their way through the town’s colorful cobblestone streets led by lively mariachis.
In San Miguel de Allende, visitors are encouraged to join the party.
Many restaurants and hotels are festively-decorated, and you’ll find street vendors to paint your face like La Cartina. 💄 Day of the Dead Tip: Don’t forget your make-up remover.
5. Merida, Yucatan (Hanal Pixan)
Merida may not be the first place you think of for Day of the Dead in Mexico, but Yucatan’s most colorful city observes a version of it.
Hanal Pixan (pronounced ha-nal pick-shaw) is similar to Day of the Dead, but with a Mayan twist. In fact, you might hear Hanal Pixan called the Mayan Day of the Dead festival.
In Merida, you’ll find large ofrendas (altars) throughout the town. Many of the best ones are in Plaza Grande (Main Plaza in Downtown Merida) and other public spaces along the Paseo de Montejo.
You can also sample some traditional Yucatan foods during Hanal Pixan that aren’t made other times of the year.
One of the locals’ favorite foods is called pib (AKA mucbipollo or pibipollo), a type of crispy, baked tamale.
Paseo de las Animas (Merida Day of the Dead Parade)
Paseo de las Animas is one of the most popular events in Merida. It’s held on the evening of October 31, starting at the Cementerio General de Mérida (Main Merida Cemetery).
During the parade, you’ll hear music and see thousands of people dressed up in traditional attire, with their faces painted as skulls.
Unlike in most parts of Mexico, most people don’t paint their faces with bright colors; just black and white. Of course, some people do paint their faces in bright colors, but black and white is more typical of this region.
If you’re interested in participating, this is a wonderful way to do so. Face painters will be set up before the parade so you can easily get your face painted and join in.
The parade ends at Parque San Juan Park, where the festivities continue.
6. Patzcuaro & Janitzio Island, Michoacán
Isla Janitzio Island is one of the quintessential places for an authentic Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico.
It is also a must-visit for culture travelers, as the main part of Mexico to get to experience the Purépecha people and their unique culture.
Isla Janitzio is a small island on Lake Pátzcuaro. It is one of the towns in the Patzcuaro pueblo magico (magic town), located in Michoacán state.
🎥 Day of the Dead Fun Fact: The cemetery in Patzcuaro, Mexico, inspired the cemetery seen in the Pixar movie Coco, a beloved film about Día de los Muertos.
There are several Patzcuaro Day of the Dead celebrations, but the one in Janitzio Island is considered among the best in town. The main celebrations in Janitzio and Patzcuaro go from October 31 to November 2nd.
Day of the Dead in Janitzio Island
The main date to party and celebrate Day of the Dead in Janitzio Island is November 2. However, you’ll want to arrive by October 30 if you want to experience the more traditional festivities.
On October 31, the Day of the Dead celebration begins with traditional boats heading into the waters off-shore to hunt ducks with spears.
They are later cooked and placed on ofrendas (altars) as a way to welcome the deceased back to the living world.
On November 1, women and children visit the town’s graveyards and begin decorating the graves. The locals in Patzcuaro and Janitzio go all out, as there is a contest to select the best altars and grave decorations in town.
Once the sun begins to go down on October 31, festive celebrations in Patzcuaro and Janitzio officially start.
Through dance performances, music and food, locals and visitors alike celebrate the lives of their departed loved ones. This massive party goes on until November 2, and sometimes even longer.
7. Teotihuacan, Estado de México
The Teotihuacan Pyramids are a Mexico UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best day trips from Mexico City.
This is a year-round destination, but Day of the Dead at Teotihuacan (pronounced tay-oh-tee-wok-on) is extra special.
Every year, the Festival Chaman Teotihuacan is held on-site. During the festival, there’s hot air balloons, nighttime parties in candlelight, bonfires, and ofrendas (altars) lining the Teotihuacan Avenue of the Dead.
As if that weren’t enough, the festival’s calendar is full of painting and pottery classes, papel picado-making lessons, and more.
This is a cultural celebration, with workshops to help you learn about Aztec heritage and its importance for Day of the Dead.
8. Sayulita, Nayarit
One of the best beach towns in Mexico, Sayulita is another great place for Day of the Dead in Mexico.
This hippy town is ideal for travelers who want the best of both worlds — beautiful Mexico beaches and Day of the Dead parties.
Sayulita’s streets are colorful year-round, but during Day of the Dead, they become even more vibrant.
There’s papel picado flags hanging from every restaurant, La Catrina skeletons lining the streets, and colorful flowers everywhere you look.
Don’t miss the Night Walk in Sayulita that starts in downtown, and ends at the main Sayulita cemetery. This cemetery is located on Playa de los Muertos Beach, which means Beach of the Dead.
This walk is the best way to experience the traditional side of the holiday. However, you can also party it up because Day of the Dead is a celebration after all.
Head to the Sayulita bars in the main plaza to see their fun Day of the Dead makeovers.
9. Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
If you don’t mind touristy spots, the famous Xcaret Waterpark in Playa del Carmen holds a fantastic annual event called the Festival of Life and Death from October 30 to November 2.
🗣 Wondering, How do you pronounce Xcaret? The Xcaret pronunciation is esh-kah-ret.
Xcaret Park is among the top places to visit in Yucatan. A water park meets culture park, this is one of the best family-friendly Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico.
It is also easy to get to from Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and Tulum for this celebration of the Mayan traditions of the holiday.
Aside from enjoying the park’s incredible amenities, like the cenotes, lazy rivers, caves and ziplines, the Xcaret Festival of Life and Death is a cultural celebration as well.
Guests can sample some delicious, local Yucatecan food, and marvel at the giant ofrendas (altars).
There’s also workshops, exhibitions and theatrical performances highlighting the origins and heritage of this incredible Mexico holiday.
10. La Huasteca Potosina, San Luis Potosí (Xantolo Festival)
La Huasteca Potosina is a region in Central Mexico that spans seven states, including Veracruz and Puebla.
The most famous areas to visit in the Huasteca are the waterfalls in San Luis Potosi state, near Ciudad Valles, and Xilitla pueblo magico.
The indigenous people of La Huasteca Potosina celebrate Day of the Dead in a festival called Xantolo (pronounced shun-toe-low).
You can find local festivals throughout the region, in cities like Aquismón, San Luis Potosí and Atlapexco, Hidalgo.
Xantolo in La Huasteca Potosina employs all the classic Day of the Dead icons: marigold flowers, sugar skulls, elaborate ofrendas (altars) and skeleton decoration.
There are also festive, day-long parties from October 31-November 2.
As La Huasteca Potosina spans seven states, it’s common for Huastec people (locals from this area) to travel between cities and states.
Many towns create welcome arches that have offerings for visitors traveling through their town during Xantolo.
11. San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca
One of the most lively Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca state takes place in the small pueblo of San Agustin Etla. It is located about 35 minutes by car from Downtown Oaxaca City.
San Agustin Etla is known to have the biggest, most wild comparsa (parade) in the area — and locals prepare for it all year.
The Panteon San Agustin Etla cemetery is also one of the most festively-decorated, and visitors come from miles around to see.
Final Thoughts: Day of the Dead Celebrations in Mexico
For pre-Columbian Mexicans, death was nothing but a trip to Mictlán — the Underworld in Aztec mythology. It was always viewed as a transformation, never a mournful event.
During Day of the Dead, the doors between the living world and the underworld are believed to open. This allows the dead to visit their Earth-side loved ones for a few days each year, which calls for celebration!
In most Mexican cities, you wouldn’t even know a holiday is going on. Hopefully, after reading this article, you know where to attend Mexico’s best Day of the Dead celebrations.
Additional Day of the Dead Blogs
Need more information on the Mexico Day of the dead holiday? Here’s some blogs you’ll want to read next:
- Ultimate Day of the Dead in Mexico Guide
- Hanal Pixan: Mayan Day of the Dead Celebration
- Celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca City Mexico
- Ultimate Day of the Dead in Mexico City Guide
- Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade Guide
- 30 Day of the Dead Foods & Drinks You Have to Try
- 13 Day of the Dead Symbols & Their Meanings