Where to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Mexico

by Alex Temblador
Last updated: 7:10 PM ET, Sun October 13, 2024

Every year, from November 1-2, Mexican families welcome home the souls of their relatives who have passed.

While this holiday has a personal component that typically revolves around familial homes and the cemeteries where deceased relatives have been laid to rest, Día de los Muertos has evolved into bigger community celebrations full of parades, events, and more.

If you want to learn more about this Mexican holiday, there is no better way place to do so than in Mexico itself. We’ve made a list of the best Día de los Muertos celebrations across the country and what makes them so special.

Remember, if you choose to visit during Día de los Muertos always be respectful of the local citizens, the ofrendas (or altars), decorations, and cemeteries, as this holiday is all about communing with loved ones who have passed.

That means not taking photos in cemeteries, touching the altars, or behaving disrespectfully through excessive partying.

Mexico City

Mexico City has a grand Día de los Muertos celebration. Many of the festivities can occur over the course of a week, with the centerpiece being a parade along Avenida Reforma. You’ll see floats and people dressed in traditional Mexican apparel and as alebrijes (mythical creatures) or catrinas and catrins (skeletons). There is a Mega Ofrenda in the Zócalo that is a must-see. Visit the Xochimilco canals for Día de los Muertos rides by trajinera (a gondola-type boat) around floating islands.

We suggest arriving a little early in Mexico City and booking a stay at the St. Regis Mexico City. They’re hosting a Catrinas Parade Brunch on October 27 with guest bartenders from Mezcal Siete Misteriors. On November 2, they’ll also have a Day of the Dead Parade Brunch with themed deserts at their Diana Restaurant which overlooks Paseo de la Reforma.

Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico, so it makes sense that it’s a popular destination for Día de los Muertos. Spend your days admiring the various ofrendas throughout the city including at the famous cemetery, Museo Panteón de Belén, as well as at Museo de la Ciudad de Guadalajara, Casa Museo López Portillo, and the Instituto Cultural Cabañas.

Perhaps the most notable celebration of Día de los Muertos happens in Tlaquepaque. It’s here where a parade is held, as well as a Catrinas Brides Fashion Show. You’ll also want to visit Calaverandia at Ávila Camacho Park, a Día de los Muertos theme park.

Yep, you read that right—a theme park that brings this celebration to life in a whole new way. Buy your tickets to experience interactive ofrendas, vendors with face painting and pan de muertos, themed shows, and family-friendly areas.

Mérida

Rather than celebrate Día de los Muertos, those who live in Yucatán usually celebrate Hanal Pixán, which translates to “food for the souls,” and that’s exactly the case in Mérida. The holiday is also held on October 31-November 2 and features similar traditions such as altars and providing food to the deceased.

If you visit Mérida during Hanal Pixán, head to Plaza Grande to see the altars and how they differ from the rest of the country. Camino de Flores and Paseo de las Ánimas or Procession of the Souls are the two biggest events of this holiday. Paseo de las Ánimas is a parade that starts at Cementerio General de Mérida and ends at Parque San Juan Park. Camino de Flores is usually held at Parque de La Paz and features thousands of plants and flowers in beautiful displays to honor of Hanal Pixán.

Oaxaca

When visiting Oaxaca during Día de los Muertos, you might be overwhelmed with all the things you can do – because there is a lot. Día de los Muertos tours are very popular for tourists, and last over the course of many days. Choose those that are led by local citizens as they can best inform you on the traditions (and your money will go back into the local economy).

If you do your own self-guided tour, travel to Cultivos el Viejo, a flower field nearby with marigold flowers (a notable symbol used in the holiday celebrations). Within Oaxaca, you’ll find parades and festivities in El Centro, as well as in Jalatlaco which is a much-loved spot to see ofrendas. The Etla Muerteada parade in Etla is very unique in that men dress in costumes with bells and mirrors and masks that depict the devil, old, or skeletons. They parade through the city with a brass band to welcome the spirits out.

Tapetes, or sand rugs, have become a unique Día de los Muertos tradition in the surrounding towns like Zaachila (along Calle Coquiza), Xochimilco, and Xoxocotlan. The nearby town of Mitla should be on your visit list as the town creates notable catrin and catrinas decorations and has bakeries that offer bread-decorating classes during the holiday.

Los Cabos

If you find yourself in Cabos during the Day of the Dead, make your way to San José del Cabo for the Secrets of the Catrinas Festival. Otherwise, attend Cabo San Lucas’ Altares en el Mar Festival where boats are decorated and paraded through the marina. There is also a Mar de Ofrendas Festival event that begins on October 21. You can stroll through downtown Cabo San Lucas to see beautiful altars and decorations. On November 2 in Amelia Wilkes Plaza, the festival will culminate with tastings of traditional dishes and mezcal and tequila.

Many of the resorts will have their own on-site ofrendas and celebrations. For instance, on November 2nd, Montage Los Cabos will host a family-style dinner at their Mezcal Restaurant. It will include live music and traditional altar decorations. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is hosting its 8th annual EsperanzArte Festival on November 1.

This cultural experience will be a blend of art and culinary offerings where guests can see artists creating altars, local artisans with their work on display, and drinks and bites from guest chef Wilson Alonzo.

San Miguel de Allende

On November 1, visitors and residents of San Miguel de Allende will gather at 8:00 p.m. in the Jardín Principal of San Miguel de Allende for Noche de Catrinas, a parade that’s been happening for 23 years. During the day, you’ll see altars and decorations throughout the city, and at night, people will parade through the streets as catrinas and catrins. Parties and dinners occur throughout the city at hotels, restaurants, and clubs, after the parade.

Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende is starting the Día de Muertos celebrations early on October 27 with a Masquerade Gala and Emergent Designer Catwalk that will feature local designers, live music, and food. On November 2nd, Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende is hosting the Día de los Fieles Difuntos Dinner created by Executive Chef Ernesto Narvaez and Grupo Posadas’ Corporate Chef, Gerardo Rivera, that will include a pairing of Tequila José Cuervo Reserva de la Familia. Live musical performances will end the event. If you plan a stay here, take advantage of Live Aqua’s Día de Muertos package which features 30 percent off room rates and a $1,000 MXN credit toward the resort’s restaurants, including the Gala and curated dinners throughout the weekend.

Zihuatanejo

If you’d like to experience an intimate Día de Muertos, we suggest a trip to Zihuatanejo. Set on the Pacific side of Mexico, Zihuatanejo is a beautiful beachfront city, and during Día de Muertos you’ll see ofrendas throughout the city and a Day of the Dead Festival in the downtown area and the La Madera cemetery on November 1st and 2nd.

Thompson Zihuatanejo is getting into the spirit with an Altar Building event on October 31st from 4-6 pm. Guests will assist in building the ofrenda at Hao, the oceanfront bar, by contributing photos and mementos related to their ancestors, while enjoying snacks and mocktails. On November 1st, all guests will receive a complimentary pan de muerto, the traditional sweet bread of the holiday, in their rooms. That evening, guests can participate in a four-course Day of the Dead Dinner at Ceniza with live music. November 2nd will feature a Catrina Sugar Skeleton Makeup session and a Day of the Dead Party with food and live music.

Michoacán

Cemetery in Janitzio, Michoacan during Day of the Dead

Michoacán is the best place to see many traditional Día de los Muertos celebrations and this is because Pátzcuaro and the island of Janitzio have a large Purépecha community who believe that Lake Pátzcuaro is the door to the underworld. Stay around Lake Pátzcuaro and you’ll be able to witness very traditional Día de los Muertos celebrations, like in Tzintzuntzan where families parade their altars through the streets and drop marigold petals and burn copal incense to guide their loved ones’ souls to the cemetery.

Janitzio is the most popular Día de los Muertos celebration and it draws big crowds to the island (so expect long boat wait times). Marigolds and candles fill the island, music plays in the air, and street stalls serve delicious food. We also suggest a visit to Capula Michoacan, to see the region’s beautiful pottery that is used in the creation of catrina dolls that are on display during their Catrina festival.

Cancun and Playa del Carmen

If you’re visiting Cancun or Playa del Carmen during Día de los Muertos, you’ll have a lot of experiences to choose from. It’s likely that your resort or hotel will have an event or two. For instance, the Kempinski Hotel Cancun is hosting a five-course Noche de Muertos tasting menu on November 2nd. They’ll also have ofrendas throughout the hotel, live music and performances, and even some storytelling.

To see how local citizens of the area celebrate Día de los Muertos, you’ll need to get off the resort. Head to Playa del Carmen’s Quinta Avenida for a parade and visit the local markets to shop for sugar skulls, paper marigolds, and pan de muerto. You can also find similar celebrations in Cozumel and ofrendas in Parque de las Palapas in Cancun. As mentioned, Hanal Pixán is celebrated throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Travelers to Cancun can experience how people in the Treyes community celebrate this holiday and tradition with a tour.

Lastly, visit Xcaret from October 30th to November 3rd for the Festival of Life and Death Traditions. You’ll enjoy concerts, dances, plays, workshops, exhibitions, and an Interactive Hacienda that all revolve around the Day of the Dead.

Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita

Puerto Vallarta is a vibrant place to celebrate Día de los Muertos. Last year they had 50 free activities during the holiday. Not only can you experience their parade (usually on November 2) which goes along the Malecon, but you should also visit the traditional markets to see fresh marigold flowers and stunning altars.

For the last two years, Puerto Vallarta has held the title of “The Tallest Calavera Catrina in the World” with the statue standing at 92 feet tall last year. Visit this year to see if they can hold the title.

Not too far from Puerto Vallarta is Punta Mita, an area full of popular, luxury resorts. Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection will have altars that lead from the entrance to the ocean and a sunset parade. They’ll also have festivities, cocktails, and music at La Boquita, as well as a Floral Crown Workshop.

Catrinas Fest will be held at the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita from November 1-3. The festival begins with a multi-station dinner at Dos Catrinas and will feature makeup artists, stilt walkers, and local musicians. On November 2, they’ll have a barbacoa demonstration on the beach, and that night, a multi-course dinner with musicians at Dos Catrinas. Finally, there’s a brunch on November 3.

Throughout the weekend, there will be many other experiences like cooking classes, a catrina headpiece and makeup workshop, a sugar skull decorating workshop, a cold porcelain skull workshop, and children’s experiences like mini sugar skull pinata making, DIY paper marigolds, face painting, and a showing of Coco.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.