Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is one of Mexico’s most vibrant and meaningful cultural celebrations.
Each year from October 31 to November 2, families across the country honor deceased loved ones with colorful altars, marigold flowers, and special food unique to the date. Even though it may seem like Day of the Dead is a country-wide celebration, you’ll find that cities and towns all over Mexico celebrate it differently!
Many cities and towns all over Mexico host unique Day of the Dead celebrations, but some places offer particularly spectacular and authentic experiences that showcase the rich traditions of this UNESCO-recognized cultural heritage.
If you’re planning to experience this beautiful Mexican tradition firsthand, here are some of the best Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico to consider attending!
Best Day of the Dead Events in Mexico
1. Balcón del Zócalo’s Day of the Dead Party (Mexico City)
If you’re on the lookout for a high-end Day of the Dead experience in Mexico City, Balcón del Zócalo offers one of the most spectacular celebrations with a prime view of the festivities below.
This rooftop restaurant in Mexico City, located at the top of a hotel, transforms itself into a mecca for all things Day of the Dead. What’s best? The restaurant’s location is truly unbeatable. Perched above Mexico City’s main square, which means you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the grand Day of the Dead parade as it concludes in the Zócalo below.
Think marigold flowers all over, gorgeous views of one of Mexico City’s most iconic buildings, music that ranges from traditional mariachi to contemporary Mexican beats, face painting stations to get your catrina face on, traditional altar displays, and just about everything in between.
As if that weren’t enough, acclaimed chef Pepe Salinas creates a special themed menu to fit the mood.
Reservations are essential as this event sells out months in advance. After all, it’s in one of the best settings in Mexico City!
2. Grand Day of the Dead Parade (Mexico City)
The Grand Day of the Dead Parade is one of the most famous events for Day of the Dead in Mexico City.
It’s a relatively new event inspired by the fictional parade featured in the James Bond film “Spectre” in 2015 and the city made sure to do a great job at making it look just like the one in the film!
What began as movie magic has transformed into one of the country’s most impressive Day of the Dead celebrations and one that everyone should experience at least once in their lives – you’ll get to see massive Day of the Dead characters as well as performers marching their way through some of Mexico City’s most iconic spots.
The parade’s route typically runs along Paseo de la Reforma and ends at the Zócalo, the city’s main square.
The atmosphere is electric with music, dancing, and artistic displays that blend ancient traditions with modern interpretations. You’ll find the sidewalks packed with locals and tourists alike, all gathered to witness this cultural spectacle (as a tip, make sure to arrive as early as possible to grab a good spot).
This year’s dates, time, and exact route haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll update when we have more info!
3. San Andrés Mixquic Candlelighting (Mexico City)
Locally known as La Alumbrada, this is one of the best Day of the Dead events in Mexico City if what you’re after is something more traditional.
It’s celebrated in the southeastern borough of Tláhuac, in a quiet town called San Andrés Mixquic. On the evenings of November 1st and November 2nd every year, the cobblestone streets of this tiny pueblo get lit up with thousands of candles that lead to the local cemetery.
The highlight of this event is, of course, the cemetery, where you can wander along illuminated
pathways as local families share food, memories, and sometimes even music beside their loved ones’ resting places. Please make sure to do so respectfully (locals don’t mind visitors, but remember this is not a tourist attraction, it’s an important date for these families).
Beyond the cemetery, Mixquic’s streets come alive with food vendors, artisan stalls, and traditional altars. You’ll also be able to catch performances of indigenous dances that have been practiced in the region since pre-Hispanic times.
4. Pátzcuaro’s Day of the Dead Festivities (Michoacán)
Pátzcuaro in Michoacán is one of Mexico’s most iconic places to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico.
The small town located about 3-4 hours away from Mexico City transforms into a magical place where the veil between worlds feels especially thin during the festivities.
The heart of this celebration is found at Janitzio Island, located in the middle of Lake Pátzcuaro. To get there, you’ll have to take a short boat ride across the dark waters at night to witness fishermen in their traditional canoes holding torches aloft (they leave every few minutes from the dock).
The festivities usually last several days in Janitizio, but the main dates generally take place on November 1st and 2nd, when the island’s cemetery and the island’s streets get illuminated by candles and decorated with elaborate ofrendas.
Aside from that, make sure to also visit the market in Pátzcuaro’s main square, where you can get a real taste of traditional Day of the Dead food like pan the muerto.
Try to arrive a day or two early to secure accommodations as thousands of visitors flock to this celebration annually (I recommend booking as far in advance as possible).
5. Todos Somos Calaveras at Rosewood Hotel in (San Miguel de Allende)
Another of the best Day of the Dead events in Mexico for those seeking higher-end experiences, Todos Somos Calaveras takes place in the beautiful Rosewood Garden, where you can enjoy a special dinner prepared by Executive Chef César Enciso that blends tradition with gourmet cuisine.
Aside from the stunning decorations and incredible food, you’ll also be able to witness a Catrina parade, try different Day of the Dead snacks at food stations throughout the garden, and get your catrina makeup on at makeup stations inside the hotel – The best characterized Catrina wins a prize of overnight stays at the hotel!
After dinner, the party continues with a neon lights dinner. You can select from an à la carte menu featuring dishes from different Mexican regions while enjoying DJ sets at the hotel’s rooftop bar.
6. Oaxaca’s Day of the Dead Parades and Parties
It’s no secret that Oaxaca City is one of the most popular spots to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico, and for good reason! During this time of the year, its streets come alive with comparsas (carnival-like parades) featuring elaborate costumes, live music, and dancing that winds through the colonial streets.
The main plaza transforms into a hub of activity with altars, sand tapestries, and food vendors selling regional specialties.
Moreover, you can also join in the nighttime cemetery visits where families decorate graves with marigolds, candles, and offerings to welcome their departed loved ones.
For an authentic experience, head to the villages surrounding Oaxaca City. Places like Xoxocotlán and Etla offer more intimate celebrations where you can witness centuries-old traditions without the tourist crowds.
7. La Octava de Muertos (Tepoztlan)
This is one of the lesser-known Day of the Dead events in Mexico (I’m Mexican and I just found out about it a couple of years back!).
It’s celebrated eight days after the original Day of the Dead celebrations (November 9th) in the pueblo magico of Tepoztlan, making it a great option if you can’t make it to Mexico on the original dates.
La Octava de Muertos literally means “the eighth day of the dead”. Locals in Tepoztlán believe that some spirits take longer to return to the afterworld, so they extend their celebrations to accommodate lingering souls that arrived a bit later or those who wished to stay longer on earth before heading back to the underworld.
During la Octava de Muertos, altars are refreshed with new offerings, families gather once again to share stories, and community processions take place all over the town.
8. Xcaret Festival de Vida y Muerte
Xcaret Festival de Vida y Muerte (Life and Death Festival) is another of the most fantastic Day of the Dead events in Mexico.
Hosted in the famous eco-archaeological park in the Riviera Maya, this festival runs for several days leading up to and including November 2nd.
You’ll find the perfect blend of traditional customs and modern entertainment here. The park transforms with elaborate altars, colorful decorations, and thousands of candles creating a magical atmosphere after dark.
Despite it feeling like a more commercial affair, they make sure to make it as authentic as possible. Local communities from around the Yucatán Peninsula showcase their unique traditions through music, dance, and theatrical performances.
The regional food options are incredible too, with special Day of the Dead dishes you can sample all day long. There are also workshops taking place throughout the event where you can learn to make your own Day of the Dead paper or prepare your own sugar skulls!
What makes this festival special is how it combines Maya traditions with the more familiar aspects of Day of the Dead. The performances often include ancient rituals that have been practiced in the region for centuries, all while still offering a traditional flair (plus, you’ll be at the beach, which makes it perfect if you want to include some fun in the sun during your time in Mexico!)
9. Aguascalientes Skull Parade (Aguascalientes)
The Aguascalientes Skull Parade is one of Mexico’s most visually stunning Day of the Dead celebrations. It takes place in the heart of Aguascalientes and, while it is not a super famous spot to celebrate Day of the Dead for foreigners, you’ll feel right at home here as locals love to share their traditions.
What makes this celebration special is its connection to José Guadalupe Posada, who was born right in the heart of the city. Posada is known for having invented the iconic Catrina figure that’s now synonymous with Day of the Dead throughout Mexico, so you could consider the city the cradle of this Dia de Muertos worldwide-known character!
During the parade, you’ll get to see enormous, colorful skulls carried through the streets by performers in elaborate costumes. The skulls are beautifully decorated with flowers, feathers, and intricate designs that showcase local artistry, so a colorful and incredibly lively affair is guaranteed.
The celebration is part of the larger Festival de las Calaveras (Festival of Skulls) that runs for about two weeks around Day of the Dead. During the event, you can enjoy art exhibitions, music concerts, traditional food, and cultural performances throughout the festival – it’s also an excellent option to visit if you can’t make to Mexico for Day of the Dead during the main date (November 1st and 2nd).
10. Festival de Animas (Merida)
Hosted in Mérida in Yucatan (a couple hours drive away from Cancun), the Festival de Animas combines Mayan traditions with Catholic influences. This unique celebration takes place in late October and early November each year, transforming the colonial city into a colorful tribute to the dead.
Just like many Day of the Dead traditions all over Mexico, you’ll find elaborate altars displayed throughout the historic center, each adorned with marigolds, candles, and photographs of deceased loved ones.
The festival features nightly processions where participants paint their faces as skeletons, but what makes it unique is that they wear traditional Yucatecan attire. These parades wind through Merida’s colorful streets, with live music and dance performances showcasing regional customs energizing the atmosphere.
Food plays a central role in the festivities, with vendors selling traditional Yucatecan treats like mucbipollo (a large tamale cooked underground) and pan de muerto. Make sure to also try cochinita pibil (slow-roasted pork marinated in achiote paste and citrus juices) as well as panuchos (fried tortillas stuffed with refried black beans and topped with shredded meat, pickled red onions, avocado, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs).
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Dani Ramos runs The Guide Mexico
