Day of the Dead in Mexico: What You Need to Know

Day of the Dead is one of the traditions held most dearly by Mexicans, and arguably the most broadly celebrated across the country, although defining differences can be found from region to region.

In 2008, UNESCO proclaimed Day of the Dead an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which in essence means that the holiday represents one of the defining aspects of Mexican culture.

Read on to discover  the basics of this centuries-old tradition, and its modern-day celebration.

The Day of the Dead, or “Dia de Muertos” in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican holiday that takes place on November 1st and 2nd, although celebrations start a few days earlier. The holiday is a time for families and communities to gather together to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away.

During Day of the Dead, families create elaborate altars, or “ofrendas,” in their homes or at the gravesites of their loved ones. These ofrendas are decorated with candles, flowers, food, and other items that the deceased enjoyed in life. It is believed that the spirits of the departed return to the world of the living during this time, and the ofrendas are meant to welcome and honor them.

The Day of the Dead is a rich and colorful celebration that blends indigenous Mexican traditions with Catholicism, and it is recognized as an important cultural and religious event in Mexico and in many other Latin American countries.

There are different ways in which this vibrant and festive celebration in Mexico is honored, and many have evolved over the centuries, or are region-specific.

1. Ofrendas: Families create altars or “ofrendas” in their homes or at the graves of their loved ones. These altars are decorated with candles, flowers, photos, and offerings of food and drink that the deceased enjoyed in life.
2. Calaveras: The skull, or “calavera,” is a symbol of the holiday, and it is common to see sugar skulls, chocolate skulls, and other decorative skulls for sale during the holiday.
3. Parades: In some areas of Mexico, parades are held to celebrate the holiday. These parades feature elaborate costumes, music, and dancing.
4. Food: Traditional foods are prepared for the holiday, such as pan de muerto, a sweet bread decorated with bones, and sugar skulls.
5. Graveyard visits: Families often visit the graves of their loved ones on the Day of the Dead to clean and decorate the gravesite and to spend time with their departed loved ones.

Overall, the Day of the Dead is a rich and colorful celebration that honors the memory of loved ones who have passed away and is an important cultural and religious event in Mexico, with many variations of the festivities having been born in recent years.

There are many cities in Mexico that are known for their vibrant and colorful Day of the Dead celebrations, with varying levels of authenticity or mix with the modern. Some of the best cities to experience the holiday include:

• Pan de muerto: This sweet bread is a staple of the Day of the Dead celebration. It is often decorated with bone-shaped pieces of dough and sometimes sprinkled with sugar.
• Calaveras de azucar: These are sugar skulls that are often used to decorate the ofrendas, or altars, that families create for their loved ones who have passed away.
• Tamales: Tamales are a traditional Mexican dish that are often made for special occasions. They are made with masa, or corn dough, that is filled with a variety of ingredients such as meat, vegetables, or cheese, and then wrapped in a corn husk and steamed.
• Atole: Atole is a traditional Mexican drink that is made from masa, water or milk, and sweetener. It is often served with pan de muerto during the Day of the Dead celebration.
• Mole: Mole is a rich and complex sauce that is made from a variety of ingredients such as chilies, nuts, and chocolate. It is often served with chicken or other meats and is a popular dish during the Day of the Dead celebration.
• Champurrado: Champurrado is a hot chocolate-like drink that is made with masa, water or milk, and sweetener. It is often served with tamales and is a popular beverage during the Day of the Dead celebration.

These are just a few examples of the many delicious foods that are associated with the Day of the Dead celebration in Mexico. If you have the opportunity to experience this unique cultural event, be sure to try some of these traditional foods for a truly authentic and memorable experience.

Whether you choose to celebrate Day of the Dead in a small community for a unique, authentic experience – or in a large city with parades and modern-day festivities, you are guaranteed the experience of a lifetime with food, music, and colors.

Make sure to participate and engage, while being respectful to the locals; they will provide cues as to where and how far you can reach, but we Mexicans are friendly and hospitable, and it fills us with pride to share our traditions.  

Request a custom Day of the Dead itinerary