Summary
Mexico is renowned for its distinctive approach to death and, consequently, life.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an ancient, intricate, and profoundly meaningful celebration during which individuals across Mexico honor and remember their departed loved ones.
Frequently misconstrued and oversimplified, Día de los Muertos fundamentally serves as a poignant reminder that life—whether that of a cherished individual or your own—is ephemeral and deserving of celebration. It intertwines mourning and remembrance with joy, representing a quintessential Mexican celebration characterized by familial bonds, culinary delights, and musical offerings, where all are invited, and none are overlooked.
The origins of the Day of the Dead can be traced back over a thousand years to the indigenous peoples of central Mexico, notably the Toltecs and Aztecs, who believed that the spirits of the deceased return to their communities annually. With the arrival of Spanish colonizers, the celebration evolved to incorporate Catholic traditions and customs.
In contemporary society, Día de los Muertos is celebrated as a unique festivity surrounding death—a fundamental aspect of the Mexican cultural experience, recognized for its significance by UNESCO. Each region in Mexico observes Día de los Muertos with slight variations, yet common elements unify the celebrations throughout the nation.
Here is what you should know.
When is Día de los Muertos?
While preparations and certain regional festivities commence in mid to late October, Día de los Muertos occurs on two specific days: November 1 and 2.
The first day is dedicated to children who have passed away, referred to as Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocent Ones—not to be confused with Mexico’s version of April Fool’s Day on December 28) or Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).
The second day is focused on adults and is called either Día de los Muertos or Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Departed). Originally celebrated in August during pre-Columbian times, it adapted to align with the respective Catholic observances of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, two days dedicated to prayer and remembrance for the dead.
Set up an ofrenda (altar)
Starting in mid-October, numerous Mexicans establish ofrendas (altars) in their homes and businesses in honor of loved ones who have departed. Ofrendas can range from simple displays to intricate multi-tiered setups, yet they all contain similar elements: photographs of the deceased, food and beverages they relished in life, and small items that held significance for them (such as a toy, a bottle of nail polish, or a book).
Often included are candles, flowers, crucifixes, and vibrant depictions of saints. For many, the ofrenda symbolizes a family’s tribute to someone they cherished; for others, it represents a welcome back, a locale where their family’s spirits can return during this particular season.
Head to the cemetery
Regardless of regional variations, Día de los Muertos serves as a time when Mexicans visit their cemeteries to clean the graves of their loved ones and adorn them with flowers and candles.
The atmosphere is consistently both celebratory and respectful, as families bring along folding chairs and blankets to enjoy a day and possibly an overnight vigil filled with food, drinks, and storytelling. Live music is customary, with musicians traversing the cemeteries, stopping at graves to play the favorite songs of the departed.
Buy some flowers, particularly marigolds
While a variety of flowers are utilized during Día de los Muertos, the vibrant orange cempasúchil (marigold) is recognized as the officiating flower of the dead in Mexico.
This flower, native to the central area of the country, has been a component of Day of the Dead observances since ancient eras, as its brilliant color and musky aroma were traditionally thought to assist in guiding spirits back home.
Marigolds remain popular for ofrendas and graves, especially in central and southern Mexico, where cemeteries evolve into stretches of orange, and marigold petals are scattered before altars in homage to ancient beliefs.
Prepare some food
Food plays a vital role in Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas will feature the preferred dishes of the deceased, representing not only their culinary preferences but also diverse regional cuisines such as mole negro (a meticulously prepared sauce composed of hoja santa chili, chocolate, onions, and garlic, often accompanied by chicken) in Oaxaca; pozole (a traditional Mexican stew featuring shredded meat, cabbage, chili peppers, onions, garlic, radishes, avocados, salsa, and lime) in Mexico City; and calabaza en tacha (candied pumpkin cooked in sugar cane syrup) in Yucatán.
Nevertheless, one food that is almost universally present is pan de muerto (bread of the dead). This spongy, egg-based bread, sprinkled with sugar and shaped into a round loaf adorned with bone-like decorations, symbolizes the cycle of life and death. Bakeries commence selling pan de muerto one to two weeks prior to Día de los Muertos, both for use on ofrendas and as a delightful treat with coffee, hot cocoa, or atole (a warm corn-based beverage).
Get your face painted as a skeleton
The imagery of skeletons has gained increasing prominence within Día de los Muertos festivities, substantially popularized by La Catrina, a high-society skeleton adorned with a feather boa and a substantial Victorian-era hat.
Initially envisioned in the early 1900s by the satirical cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada, La Catrina epitomizes the notion that death recognizes no socio-economic boundaries. This image was subsequently cemented into the national identity through the artwork of Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, among others.
In modern celebrations throughout Mexico, this renowned skeleton is showcased via paper mâché decorations, candy skulls for ofrendas, and skeleton-themed imagery in signage and papel picado (colorful perforated banners) that flutter across the streets.
On parade or festival days, countless individuals paint their faces to emulate skulls and don vibrant regional costumes or Victorian-style attire. Face painters are frequently found lining the streets, eagerly transforming the faces of passersby into skulls.
Take part in a special event
Traditionally, Día de los Muertos is a family-oriented occasion; however, larger celebrations, encompassing cemetery processions, city-wide parades, and street fairs with food vendors and carnival rides, have emerged throughout the nation. Noteworthy celebrations include:
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Mexico City’s Desfile de Alebrijes (Parade of Spirit Guides), which begins in the Zócalo and navigates through the capital’s streets. Expect fantastical creatures, elaborate floats, and a multitude of attendees adorned in skeleton costumes.
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To the southeast of Mexico City, the streets of Mixquic are decorated with Day of the Dead murals, drawing attendees for La Alumbrada (The Lighting), three nights when the town is dark aside from the illuminated cemetery, where thousands of candles adorn the elaborately decorated graves.
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In the heart of Lake Pátzcuaro, Michoacán’s Janitzio Island hosts thousands of visitors who gather to witness the arrival of flower-laden, candle-lit canoes, marking the commencement of a nightlong vigil at the cemetery.
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Oaxaca City hosts a week-long celebration filled with dance and music performances, graveyard tours, and a “best altar” competition.
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More than 50,000 individuals attend Mérida’s Paseo de las Ánimas (Procession of the Souls)—most in skeleton face paint and traditional Yucatecan attire. Attendees stroll two miles from the main cemetery to the town center, passing hundreds of candlelit ofrendas along their route.
This article was initially published on September 12, 2019, and updated on October 2, 2024.
