Mexico is preparing this weekend to celebrate one of its most cherished traditions: Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead — a festival that captures the nation’s enduring connection between life and death.
From bustling cities to rural villages, families are building ofrendas — altars adorned with marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, and photographs of departed loved ones. The bright orange cempasúchil flowers, believed to guide spirits back to the world of the living, will soon fill streets, plazas, and cemeteries as Mexicans welcome the souls of their ancestors home.
“Mexico is a global symbol thanks to its profound cultural and spiritual richness. The Day of the Dead is a unique celebration, full of color and joy, where we honor life through our traditions,” said Josefina Rodríguez Zamora, Mexico’s Minister of Tourism. “Nowhere else in the world is there such a vibrant and moving manifestation, uniting families, awakening the interest of millions, and filling us with pride as a nation.”
Observed nationwide on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos pays tribute to both children and adults who have passed. November 1, known as Día de los Angelitos, honors deceased children, while November 2 is dedicated to adults. Rooted in pre-Hispanic rituals and later influenced by Catholic practices, the holiday has evolved into a vivid expression of Mexico’s cultural identity.
Across the country, preparations are in full swing. In Mexico City, the annual Day of the Dead Parade will once again transform Paseo de la Reforma into a spectacular procession of skeletal figures, dancers, and floats inspired by traditional imagery. In Oaxaca, artisans are crafting intricate sand tapestries and paper decorations, while in Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, families will hold candlelit vigils by the lake — a breathtaking sight recognized around the world for its beauty and spiritual resonance.
