When Is Day of the Dead in Mexico?

November in Mexico is a time filled with deep-rooted traditions and unforgettable experiences. Among these, one of the most magical and significant is Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, taking place on the first days of November. This unique holiday brings families together to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed away, in a heartwarming display of culture. As November approaches, Mexico transforms into a tapestry of altars, marigold petals, and lively festivities, making it the perfect time to immerse yourself in the beauty of Mexican traditions. 

What Is Day of the Dead? 

Set on November 1 and 2 every year, Day of the Dead has become one of the world’s most famous and beloved cultural celebrations. On this holiday, death isn’t considered an absence, but rather a living presence when our deceased loved ones return to the world of the living to be with their loved ones.  

This joyful centuries-old gathering of the living and the deceased has become one of Mexico’s most vibrant celebrations, with its own abundance of traditions and events in the home and to the public.

What Are the Origins of Day of the Dead? 

Day of the Dead traditions can be traced all the way back to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic times, when the region’s ancient cultures would guide the spirits of the deceased to the afterlife with marigold petals (known as Cempasúchil), and set out their favorite foods in case the spirits became hungry. This tradition evolved into the traditional altars of the dead that we see today and continues to evolve.  

The arrival of the Spanish led to a fusion of pre-Hispanic rituals, Catholic practices, and new elements to create the modern Day of the Dead. The pre-Hispanic tradition was set into the Christian calendar to coincide with the end of the corn harvest, Mexico’s main food staple. European influence led to the incorporation of flowers, Christian crosses, and candles on the altars, as well as Pan De Muerto (bread of the dead) with the arrival of wheat flour from the Spanish. 

Even more traditions have joined Day of the Dead in the past few centuries, like the incorporation of photos of the deceased onto their altar, as well as the famous Catrinas (elaborate skeleton imagery) in 1910 when created by artist José Guadalupe Posada, and sugar skulls based on pre-Hispanic versions made of other natural materials. With globalization and the popularity of Halloween in the neighboring United States of America, Day of the Dead has even begun to fuse with Halloween (occurring just one day before), resulting in the popularity of costumes and face painting.

What are the Most Iconic Day of the Dead Celebrations? 

Day of the Dead involves an array of Mexican traditions and unique experiences that can vary from city to city, drawing in travelers from across the world to discover the soul and vibrance of the holiday. 

Homes and businesses throughout Mexico set up Day of the Dead altars to honor the spirits of their deceased loved ones who return to visit. These altars are adorned with photos of the deceased and their favorite foods and drinks from when they were alive. Cempasúchil petals are scattered along the altar, amid the food, photos, and flickering candles. 

On Day of the Dead, Mexicans also flock to their local cemeteries to visit with their loved ones who have passed away, often bringing food and family to celebrate together among the altars, cempasúchil, and candles. 

In recent years, you can also find plenty of Day of the Dead events and activities for the public, like costume parties, skeleton parades showing off costumes of the iconic catrinas, and even celebrations at theme parks and other public venues.