Day Of The Dead Celebrations
In late October, towns and cities across Mexico become a sea of yellow and orange marigolds. The streets are sprinkled with sugar skull sculptures and candies, and local cemeteries become beacons of love, as this is Día De Los Muertos, or Day of The Dead, season.
As the celebrations begin each year, families in Mexico take to decorating their loved ones’ graves and erecting gorgeous ofrendas (altars) dedicated to their memory. It’s not some macabre event, but rather a true celebration of their lives and what they still mean to the living. The holiday dates back thousands of years, and is a separate celebration from the Gaelic-derived Halloween, though is closely related to the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The events usually begin on October 28 and last through November 2, when it’s believed the veil between this world and the next is thinnest, allowing dearly departed family and friends to pass through and visit for a brief moment. Each day honors a different kind of death — the first for children who died (known as Día De Los Angelitos) and the second to adults (Día De Los Difuntos). It’s a time-honored tradition, and one you can take part in too by visiting one of these stunning destinations in Mexico.
San Miguel de Allende
Located in Mexico’s central highlands, San Miguel de Allende is a town already well-known for its romantic baroque architecture, gorgeous cobblestoned streets, and colorful facades, and was even named as a Pueblo Mágico (magical town) thanks to its cultural value to Mexico. It’s one of the best places to celebrate Day Of The Dead as it also happens to be a festival-loving destination. The town’s main square becomes the epicenter of the action, with altars set up to admire, vendors to shop from, and plenty of food to go around. On the night of November 1, the town comes together for an epic parade through the streets, and everyone who is participating is encouraged to come in their best La Calavera Catrina, the famed over-the-top skeletal look created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada, which is meant to show that in the end, we all are just skeletons too. Book a stay at the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende for an added touch of luxury.
Oaxaca
Find even more revelry in happening Oaxaca. The city (which is the capital of the state of the same name), sits in the southwest, and comes with about twice the population of San Miguel de Allende. To best experience Day Of The Dead here, visitors should take things neighborhood by neighborhood. Many head toward Centro, the historic center, which offers plenty of colorful fun, but now is also the ideal time to check out both Jalatlaco and Xochimilco, which are two of the city’s oldest and most visually appealing neighborhoods thanks to their brightly colored facades, waving flags, and cobblestoned streets. Both host their own festive DOTD events that include plenty of food, drinks, and dancing too. The good news is, the city is highly walkable, making adventuring and going from party to party a breeze. Don’t miss Mercado Benito Juárez or the Instituto Oaxaqueño de las Artesanías for a little souvenir shopping, the Museo Textil de Oaxaca for some culture, and check into Quinta Real for a taste of history with your stay.
Michoacán
Rather than just a city, we’d like to also suggest the state of Michoacán, located on the nation’s western shore. It’s a destination where travelers can experience the more low-key side of Day Of The Dead. There are eight Pueblos Mágicos scattered throughout the state, and the historic center of Morelia has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its perfectly preserved buildings. Though, even if you don’t pick a specific spot, there are a few things you can expect throughout the state — namely some delicious food. Those in Michoacán love to bake and share pan de muerto, a traditional sweet bread covered in sugar, which is typically served the week leading up to DOTD festivities. For an extra special evening, head to Lake Pátzcuaro to watch a midnight boat parade. Over the course of this two-day event, local fishermen light up their vessels for a spectacular show. After you pick which region you’d like to explore more deeply, find the perfect hotel match here.
Veracruz
The state of Veracruz, which sits along the eastern shore of Mexico, takes its Day Of The Dead ceremonies very seriously. It’s a place where preparations are made well in advance, and where marigolds literally blanket the streets leading to the cemeteries, and where the ofrendas are truly sublime. In Veracruz, visitors can explore its state capital Xalapa, where they’ll find museums, historic buildings, and plenty of churches, or head to the coast for a Day Of The Dead ceremony mixed with a little surf and sand. Veracruz is also home to four Pueblos Mágicos including Papantla, Orizaba, Xico and Coatepec. Once you pick between an urban, rural or beachside vacation, find your hotel here.
Mexico City
There’s perhaps no better spot for first timers to experience Day Of The Dead than in Mexico City, the nation’s capital. While smaller towns and states make for a more personalized experience, celebrating Day of the Dead in the city means joining the main parade that goes straight through the city center — an event that people take extremely seriously, so make sure to come with your own costume of a fully painted face if you wish to join the fun. A stay here also means mixing in plenty of culture at world-renowned museums like the Museo Nacional de Antropología and Museo Frida Kahlo, dining in some of the world’s best restaurants (hot tip: make that reservation at Pujol, Amaya, or Esquina Comun far in advance), and getting to have a ton of fun in the festivities too. Hotels in Mexico City are big-city bargains. Book one here.