Day of the Dead
1 - November 2, Friday – Saturday
The Day of the Dead has its origins in pre-Christian rituals of peoples such as the Aztecs, Maya, and Purépecha, who believed that death was not the end of life but a transition to another dimension. For them, it was important to honor the deceased ancestors by helping their souls in the afterlife. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and the spread of Catholicism, many pagan traditions were adapted and integrated into Catholic holidays such as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, which are also celebrated at the beginning of November.
The Day of the Dead is celebrated annually on November 1 and 2:
November 1. Day of children, called Día de los Inocentes or Día de los Angelitos ("Day of the Innocents" or "Day of the Little Angels"), when the souls of deceased children are honored.
November 2. The main Day of the Dead, when the souls of adults are honored.
One of the most important traditions of the holiday is the creation of special altars called ofrendas. These altars are set up in homes, cemeteries, and public places to welcome the souls of the dead. The altars are typically decorated with photos of the deceased, candles, flowers, food, and other items that were important to the deceased in life. Often placed on the altars is pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a traditional Mexican bread baked specifically for the Day of the Dead. This sweet, aromatic bread is typically decorated with "bones" made of dough and sprinkled with sugar.
On the Day of the Dead, families often visit the graves of their deceased loved ones, decorating them with flowers, candles, and items that might be enjoyed by the souls of the dead. People bring food and drinks, spend time at the graves, talk to the deceased, sometimes have picnics, and listen to the favorite music of the deceased. This creates an atmosphere that is not so much mournful as festive, as if the souls of the dead are once again present among the living.
Skulls, known as calaveras, are one of the most recognizable symbols of the Day of the Dead. They can be seen everywhere: on costumes, sugar skulls, drawings, and sculptures. These skulls are not viewed as symbols of horror, as they might be in Western culture, but rather as a reminder that death is part of life and should be embraced with understanding and joy.
In recent years, the Day of the Dead has become a time for colorful masquerades and parades, where people dress in skeleton costumes, paint their faces like skulls, and take part in mass processions. This tradition is especially popular in major cities like Mexico City, where a grand parade is held annually in honor of the Day of the Dead.
One of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday is La Calavera Catrina, the image of a female skeleton in an elegant hat, created by artist José Guadalupe Posada in the early 20th century. Catrina symbolizes the idea that death comes to everyone, regardless of social status, and that wealth and luxury do not protect from the inevitable end. Over time, Catrina has become an icon of the Day of the Dead and one of the most popular symbols of Mexican culture.
Day of the Dead in other years
- 2021 1 - November 2, Monday – Tuesday
- 2022 1 - November 2, Tuesday – Wednesday
- 2023 1 - November 2, Wednesday – Thursday
- 2025 1 - November 2, Saturday – Sunday