Why Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead Celebration NEED to Be on Your Mexico Bucket List
Its most popular cultural celebration, Oaxaca Day of the Dead, is a bucket list Mexico experience for many — and in 2003, it was declared a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage event.
In this article, I will share all my Oaxaca Dia de los Muertos travel tips, so you can have as amazing of a time as I did.
By the end of this article, you’ll know all about Oaxaca City, where the festival takes place.
As Day of the Dead is just two days long, November 1-2, many stick around Oaxaca City for a few extra days, or head to the beautiful beaches of Oaxaca to lengthen the trip — so we’ll cover that as well.
Ready to learn about all things Oaxaca Day of the Dead? 🌺💀🌺 Let’s get to it!
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When is Day of the Dead in Oaxaca Mexico?
Though it’s called “Day” of the Dead, the holiday takes place over two days each year, November 1-2, and the different days of the festival correspond to different spirits.
As the spirits of our departed are said to return each day at midnight, many celebrations occur at night — so you might see some sources say the Day of the Dead is October 31-November 2.
However, some celebrations start as early as October 28 in different parts of the Oaxaca state.
I always recommend visitors arrive to Oaxaca City by October 28th to enjoy all the amazing Day of the Dead vibes.
Since the first day of the celebration starts on November 1, the spirits will return at midnight, which is basically the night of October 31.
Though this is technically the “eve” of Dia de Muertos, much like Christmas Eve, many consider it a festival day.
As you might imagine with such an elaborate affair, the Oaxaca City preparations begin at least a week prior.
It’s really fun to see the city getting decorated with marigold flowers and watching the ofrendas (colorful altars) being constructed, and visiting the cemeteries and grave sites during the day.
October 31st: Your Oaxaca Day of the Dead Itinerary Starts Now
Wondering, When does Day of the Dead start? The first day is November 1 at midnight, which is why many say it starts on October 31.
In Oaxaca, the festival feels like it goes on for weeks because there’s so much to do, and there are events both day and night.
Before you arrive, take some time to make your Day of the Dead Oaxaca schedule using the info below.
When you arrive, head to the main Cathedral in Oaxaca, located near the Zocalo (Town Square), and pick up a schedule of events from the tourist booth.
What to expect on All Saint’s Eve
Though not an official festival day, many families observe October 31st, the former All Saints’ Eve, by building elaborate ofrendas (altars) on the cemetery gravestone of their deceased loved one.
Some people in local homes and shops even leave their doors open so passerbys can see the night vigils inside.
To try to see these, head to a pedestrian street, like Calle Macadonio Alcala (AKA Andador Turistico).
As the eve of the souls returning, these preparations must be ready for the spirits’ arrival at midnight.
There’s a lot of energy in town, as people are ready to officially celebrate Dia de los Muertos after weeks of prep.
In fact, it will feel like the festival is in full swing, though the holiday hasn’t officially started.
Families visit the town’s cemeteries to decorate their loved ones’ graves and gravestones, and many put the finishing touches on the ofrendas (altars) outside of their homes.
What to do in Oaxaca on October 31
This is a great day to simply walk around the city, especially Centro Historico (Downtown Oaxaca City) and the Zocalo near the Oaxaca Cathedral.
An orientation walk like this is always a good idea so you get your bearings and get to know the city layout — and in recent years, there’s more to see than ever as this holiday in Oaxaca continues to get more popular.
You can pop into all the shops and art galleries to see all the elaborate altars and floral displays, but don’t forget to look down at the sand art on the ground.
At night, don’t miss the Magna Comparsa, a main event in downtown.
Magna Comparsa means Grand Parade, and this is the first official parade to open the Day of the Dead holiday.
You can also check out the local cemeteries, like the Panteón General Oaxaca main cemetery in Jalatlaco Barrio, Xochimilco cemetery in Xochimilco, and Panteón Viejo Xoxocotlán (AKA Xoxo Cemetery), as they’ll be decorated by now.
In fact, the decorations in some are usually up by October 27th, or sometime around the end of October — but definitely a few days before October 31st.
November 1st: Day of the Little Angels
What was formerly known as All Saints’ Day, is present-day Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).
Note: You may also see this day called the Día de los Inocentes, or Day of the Innocents.
However, don’t confuse it with the Day of Holy Innocents Mexican holiday, which is on December 28th.
This Day of the Little Angels on November 1 honors the children who have passed. Their spirits returned the night before, at midnight, but parties continue all day.
What to expect on All Saint’s Day
Celebrations in cemeteries, as well as comparsas (theatrical parades), ofrendas (altars) in the streets and other city-wide festivities.
There are large booths with vendors set up near the Cathedral, selling Oaxaca art and Mexican folk art from other states in the country.
This will often last from early November until the end of weekend following Day of the Dead.
What to do in oaxaca on November 1
The entire town is decorated and in full festival mode, and you’ll want to spend time walking around the colorful Jalatlaco neighborhood and eating some delicious Oaxacan food.
There will be smaller parades all night in the city, or you can head to a giant celebration that’s off the beaten path — the San Agustin Etla Oaxaca Day of the Dead comparsa.
San Agustin Etla pueblo is located about 35-45 minutes from Downtown Oaxaca. It has the biggest, most wild comparsa, and most beautiful cemetery.
I went with a small tour group booked through Agrado Guest House Hotel, and we were the only non-locals at the San Agustin Etla comparsa.
If you want to immerse yourself in any indigenous communities, Etla is the place.
November 2nd: Day of the Dead
Formerly known as All Souls’ Day, November 2nd is the actual Day of the Dead day. On this day, family members and loved ones celebrate the adults in their life who no longer walk the Earth.
The spirits of all adults returned the night before, at midnight, but parties will continue all day.
What to expect on All Soul’s Day
More celebrations in cemeteries, as well as comparsas (Oaxaca Day of the Dead parades), ofrendas (altars) in the streets and other festivities.
If Day of the Dead Oaxaca is starting to sound like one giant party, it is — but November 2 is often the most low-key day of the holiday.
What to do in oaxaca on November 2
If there was any place you wanted to see in town, like a shop, restaurant, cafe or art gallery, you’ll want to head there early.
Many places have shortened hours for the holiday, though some don’t open at all.
If not, just enjoy the last few hours of parades and decorations and festivities.
Arriving Early: Before the 31st
🌼 Visit the Oaxaca Flower Fields
A Oaxaca must do before Day of the Dead is to visit the flower fields — because the flowers will be harvested by October 30th, so you have to go before the festival.
There are a few flower fields near Oaxaca City, but the most popular one is Cultivos el Viejo.
This is located about one hour outside of the city, in the small town of Zimatlán de Álvarez, Oaxaca.
A popular spot for getting IG photos, YouTube videos and TikToks, you’ll want to either arrive early in the morning to beat the crowds, or get there in the late afternoon to catch the golden hour light (AKA magic hour).
There is no official entrance fee, but you are expected to give a donation of about $100 pesos ($6 USD) per person to enter this flower field in Zimatlán Oaxaca.
Visit Mitla for the La Catrina Exhibition
Located about one hour from Oaxaca City by car, San Pablo Villa de Mitla (or just Mitla for short) is best known as home to the Mitla Archaeological Site.
This is one of the most important ruins in Oaxaca.
During the holiday, they also have this La Cartina & Skulls Exhibit.
A public art expo (Exhibición de Catrinas y Cráneo in Spanish), you’ll see large-scale La Catrina and sugar skull figures all over downtown Mitla.
In English, Mitla means “place of the dead,” so it seems fitting to visit this Oaxaca pueblo magico (magic town) during Day of the Dead!
The name originates from the Nahuatl word (or Aztec word), Mictlán. In Aztec mythology, Mictlán is the Underworld.
These Zapotec and Mixtec ancient ruins of Mitla are considered the second most important archaeological site in the entire state of Oaxaca, after Monte Alban Ruins.
The Mitla Ruins are said to be as much as 10,000 years old 🤯
⚠️ Oaxaca Day of the Dead Tips: if you keep going about 45 minutes past Mitla, you’ll be in Hierve el Agua. These Oaxaca waterfalls and thermal pools are one of the best places to visit in Oaxaca.
See the Zaachila Tapetes (Oaxaca Sand Carpets)
The word “tapete” literally means rug, but it has another meaning when it comes to Day of the Dead in Oaxaca City and the Central Valleys of Oaxaca.
The Day of the Dead sand tapestries have been associated with the holiday for centuries, and you can see them in Oaxaca City.
However, the best place to see Oaxaca tapetes made of sand is in the small town of Zaachila.
Located about one hour from Oaxaca City by car, head to Calle Coquiza Street in Zaachila and follow the sand carpet route to the Templo de Santa Maria de la Natividad church.
Trust me: This is like nothing you’ve ever seen!
⚠️ Note: The best day to visit Zaachila is Thursday so you can go to the Zaachila Market to buy some Oaxaca souvenirs. After shopping, head to Mercado Gastronómico de Zaachila to try barbacoa and local Oaxacan food specialties.
Staying After the Festival: November 3rd
Extending your Oaxaca trip?
As Oaxaca Day of the Dead is a two-day festival, many will arrive early, or stay after.
💁♀️ Here’s one of my best Oaxaca travel tips: Head to the best Oaxaca beaches, like Puerto Escondido, Zipolite, Huatulco and Mazunte, after the festival to decompress.
This is an easy road trip that many Oaxaca visitors do, and a great time of the year to visit the beaches.
If beaches aren’t your thing, there are plenty of things to do in Oaxaca City. You can enjoy a mezcal tasting or one of these best Oaxaca mezcal tours, visit Monte Albán Ruins archeological site, and more.
In fact, there are unique places to visit in Oaxaca all over the state and great day trips from Oaxaca.
These include the surrounding areas of Hierve el Agua, San Felipe del Agua and San Pablo Villa de Mitla.
This is one of the Oaxaca pueblos magicos, or Mexico magic towns, famed for their indigenous culture.
There are also great Oaxaca markets to check out, both in the city, and the surrounding area, like these: Zaachila Market (Thursdays), Ocotlan Market (Fridays), and the popular Sunday Tlacolula Market in Tlacolula Oaxaca.
Visiting Mexico City
If you have the travel time for a long journey in Mexico, you’re only a one hour flight from Mexico City.
This is the largest city on the continent, and a good place to really get to know Mexico.
There’s no end to the things to do in Mexico City — including museums, tacos, ancient ruins, amazing restaurants, fun lucha libre Mexican wrestling matches, and so much more.
In fact, I lived in Mexico City for a year, and still didn’t see it all!
11 Day of the Dead Do’s and Don’ts
🟢 Do: Book your Oaxaca hotel, Oaxaca VRBO or Oaxaca hostel, and your Day of the Dead tours well in advance. (You’ve been warned 💀)
🟢 Do: Participate! When you see a parade going by, jump in and start dancing with the locals; it’s one of the best ways to participate.
This holiday is about remembering the deceased, so many local families in Oaxaca do love it when you ask about their departed loved ones honored on the altars.
🟢 Do: Have a day where your only plan is to walk the city. During Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, the whole town is transformed for this giant party, so explore as much as you can while the decorations are up.
🟢 Do: Ask for permission to take photos. To err on the side of caution, get permission from families in the cemeteries and at their ofrendas (altars), and when photographing people.
🟢 Do: Carry cash on you at all times. In Mexico, cash is still king, and in Oaxaca City, many places don’t take cards. This is especially true with taxis, in any local market (mercados), and with street vendors, which will all be cash only.
🟢 Do: Pack noise canceling earbuds or noise canceling earplugs to get a good night’s sleep during this festive holiday. Day of the Dead is basically a three-day party with loud music and city-wide celebrations.
🛑 Don’t: Treat this as a tourist attraction. The Day of the Dead Festival is a centuries-old cultural tradition, so have fun, but know this is not the same thing as getting wasted on Bourbon Street during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
🛑 Don’t: Touch or disturb anything, including altars, cemetery decorations, and sand art on the ground.
🛑 Don’t: Use flash photography anywhere. To be safe you’ll want to just turn your flash on your camera from auto to off, so it doesn’t accidentally go off and flash at the wrong moment.
🛑 Don’t: Get wasted to the point that you lose your friends and have no idea how to get back to your hotel. I get asked a lot Is Mexico safe?, and I usually reply that it’s as safe as you choose to make it.
How to Dress for Day of the Dead
Wondering what to wear for Day of the Dead in Oaxaca? As mentioned, this is not a time for the “sexy costumes” that are popular in the United States.
However, since it is Dia de Muertos, you’ll probably want to pack a special dress or outfit to enjoy the nighttime festivities. If not, you can buy something when you arrive in Oaxaca.
For this, you can head to a local Oaxaca City mercado (market), like Mercado 20 de Noviembre Market and Mercado Benito Juarez Market, to buy a dress or embroidered flower shirt.
Costumes are the norm for locals, and many do go all out, with traditional Oaxacan garments and face painting.
Want to get your face painted like La Catrina, the famous Day of the Dead Woman?
You don’t need to bring all your makeup for La Catrina face painting, as you can just pay someone about $50 pesos ($3 USD) on the street to do it.
You, however, will want a good makeup remover to get it off at the end of the night. This should be one of your Day of the Dead essentials!
You’ll find plenty of vendors selling inexpensive flower crowns to complete the look — or you can go all out with one of 🌸 these elaborate flower crown headbands.
You can also visit one of the Oaxaca mercados mentioned above, as you’ll sometimes find vendors selling fresh flower crowns.
💀 A Final word of warning!
The only caveat for going to Oaxaca Day of the Dead is you have to plan in advance.
As I aimed to make this blog post the Ultimate Guide to the Oaxaca Día de Muertos celebrations, I can’t stress this point enough.
Oaxaca is a small town, and all the hotels, VRBOs, hostels (especially the private rooms), and Oaxaca Airbnbs will sell out, and so will all the Day of the Dead tours.
If you make sure to book everything in advance, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime during your Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca City.