{"id":3770,"date":"2016-10-25T14:50:04","date_gmt":"2016-10-25T13:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/?p=3770"},"modified":"2023-07-24T14:54:26","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T13:54:26","slug":"everything-about-day-of-the-dead","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tourradar.com\/days-to-come\/everything-about-day-of-the-dead\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Day of the Dead (Updated 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Contrary to popular belief, D\u00eda de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead,<\/span> is a celebration of life. Surprised? Don’t worry! We’ll tell you <\/span>everything\u00a0<\/span><\/em>you’ll need to know to celebrate the Day of the Dead like a local, starting with: what is it exactly?<\/span><\/p>\n

The three-day festivity, starting October 31 and finishing November 2<\/strong>, is a annual Mexican<\/a> holiday that celebrates the reunion of deceased loved ones with their friends and families. The celebration is believed to help the souls of loved ones on their spiritual journey to the afterlife.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most prominent traditions involves building altars called <\/span>ofrendas<\/span><\/i> in honor of the deceased. Families will visit the graves of loved ones, tidying and decorating sites with candles, trinkets, cempaz\u00fachitl <\/em><\/span>(marigolds; also known as “the flower of the dead”), colorfully painted skeletons and the deceased\u2019s favorite candies and beverages, including atole and mezcal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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A table decorated with food, laid out in memory of the deceased. Photo by Davide Novelo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mexicans believe in the life-death-rebirth continuum, meaning that death is part of the circular nature of life; it is not something to be feared but rather acknowledged and celebrated.<\/p>\n

La Calavera Catrina or the “Elegant Skull” is an iconic image thought to embody the spirit of the Day of the Dead. Dating back to the 1910s, this zinc etching of a female skeleton donning a feathered hat was sketched by Mexican artist Jos\u00e9 Guadalupe Posada. The image, thought to symbolize the contrasting upper and lower classes, has gone on to inspire interpretations by many Mexican artists since, including Diego Rivera.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The iconic skull is seen throughout Mexico City during Day of the Dead celebrations. Photo by Randal Sheppard<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Travel to: <\/em>Mexico <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n

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So where did it all begin?<\/h2>\n

The Day of the Dead celebrations date back to pre-Hispanic times and rose from the ancient traditions of pre-Columbian cultures some 2,500 years ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer for an entire month. The ancient indigenous peoples of Mexico (Purepecha, Nahua, Totonac and Otomi) believed that the souls of the dead return each year to visit with their living relatives\u2014to eat, drink and be merry, replicating what they did when they were living.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Dancers with skull-painted faces celebrate in the streets throughout the evening. Photo by Cidades para Pessoas<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The festival now takes place October 31, November 1 and November 2, thought to coincide with Christian traditions of All Hallows Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, respectively.<\/p>\n

On October 31st (All Hallows Eve), children make altars to invite the spirits of angelitos (children who have passed away) to come back and visit. November 1st, (All Saints Day) is dedicated to the celebration and visitation of the adult spirits, and November 2 (All Souls Day) is when families visit the cemetery to tidy and decorate the tombs of their relatives. It is thought that when children take part in D\u00eda de los Muertos and dance with caricatures of death, that they learn to respect the fleeting nature of life. On these nights, one can find rows of food stalls and carnival attractions outside many local cemeteries, keeping the festivities alive well into the night.<\/p>\n

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Family members light candles at the burial sites of loved ones. Photo by Luis Avilesortiz<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Although the holiday is celebrated all over Mexico, most notably in the south and central regions, traditions are not universal and often vary from town to town.<\/p>\n

In Ocotepec<\/strong>, in the State of Morelos, families open their doors to visitors in exchange for veladoras (small wax candles), a sign of respect for the recently deceased members of the family.<\/span><\/p>\n

The state of Michoac\u00e1n<\/strong> is also another popular destination for travelers during D\u00eda de Muertos celebrations. Festivities in the state\u2019s rural areas cumulate in local cemeteries resplendent with color. Indigenous communities decorate the grounds with flowers, candles and sugar skulls.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where should you celebrate?<\/h2>\n

Mexico City: Z\u00f3calo (main square)<\/h3>\n

What happens here?<\/b><\/p>\n

Festivities include a parade of people dressed as female skeletons and street parties that last all night long. If you hang about long enough, you might see Alebrijes, bright and colorful folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. The square is usually host to an annual altar contest, which means you\u2019ll get to see your share of extravagant altars.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notable mentions:<\/b> The Diego Rivera Museum and the Culture Museum in Coyoac\u00e1n are host to some impressive altars. Major vigils are held in some of the city\u2019s largest cemeteries including Bosque de Chapultepec and Pante\u00f3n Civil de Dolores.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mexico City: Mixquic & Xochimilco<\/h2>\n

What happens here?<\/b><\/p>\n

Mixquic<\/b> is located southwest of Mexico city, so if you want to venture a little out of the city center, this is the spot for cemetery. Stalls line the streets during the days leading up to the festivals, and come night time, you\u2019ll catch a glimpse of a procession deeply rooted in local indigenous belief. A cardboard coffin winds its way through the town and leads townsfolk to the town cemetery for a candlelight vigil.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Locals pay their respects to the dead. Photo by Davide Novelo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Xochimilco, <\/b>just south of Mexico City, is a mystical flowing adventure come Day of the Dead. Hop aboard a <\/span>trajineras<\/span><\/i>, a brightly painted covered boat (similar to a gondola) and float through the town\u2019s network of canals, winding through <\/span>chinampas<\/span><\/i> (floating island gardens). It is here that you can catch a performance of the Legend of La Llorona or \u201cthe weeping woman.\u201d As legend goes, there was a mother who drowned her children and became so guilt-ridden by her actions that she committed suicide. Ever since then, her spirit can be seen on the canals of Xochimilco, crying: \u201cAy, mis hijos!\u201d (\u201cOh, my children!\u201d)<\/span><\/p>\n

Oaxaca: Oaxaca City<\/h2>\n

What happens here?<\/b><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll witness a very special Oaxacan tradition: the creation of sand tapestries. After the burial of a family member, a sand tapestry is made in the home of the deceased depicting various religious images. After nine days of praying, the tapestry is swept up and the sand is collected and poured onto the gave. During D\u00eda de Muertos you will see many of these tapestries along the streets, in public buildings and shops.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notable mentions:<\/b> Visit the local markets in and around festival time for a taste of the action. Which ones are worth your time? <\/span><\/p>\n