16 Essential Day of the Dead in Mexico City Tips

Last Updated on October 17, 2024

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Celebrating the Day of the Dead in Mexico City is an incredible way to experience a traditional holiday that is both festive and meaningful for local people. 

When my partner and I decided to head to Mexico City for 4 days, we made a point of booking to go during the Day of the Dead.
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday that is celebrated throughout the country, but particularly in the Central and South regions. The tradition has been practiced throughout Mexico for about 3,000 years.

While in Mexico we did most of the bucket list things that Mexico City is known for – we took a day trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacan, and spent an afternoon floating down the canals of Xochimilco. But being there during the Day of the Dead added a special opportunity for us to learn about a Mexican tradition, and experience it first-hand.

A "catrina" set up on a lawn, a common decoration for Day of the Dead festivities
A “catrina,” a common decoration for Day of the Dead festivities

What is the Day of the Dead in Mexico?

The Day of the Dead, Dia de los Muertos in Spanish, is an annual holiday celebrated throughout Mexico as well as in some of the surrounding regions. It’s called the Day of the Dead, but the holiday actually spans several days.

Dia de los Muertos has its origins in the Aztec traditions of honoring the dead. The celebration is important because it’s a designated time for families to come together and remember their friends and family who have passed.

The holiday is distinctly important because it doesn’t frame death as dark and somber. Instead, it’s a bright, cheerful, and festive holiday that provides people time to remember their loved ones in a positive way.  

How is Day of the Dead Celebrated in Mexico City?

The Day of the Dead in Mexico City is a three-day fiesta filled with marigolds, incense, face painting, sugar skulls, cardboard skeletons, altars to honor loved ones who have passed, and festive foods and decorations, and other traditions.

When is the Day of the Dead in Mexico City 2024?

Day of the Dead in Mexico City is celebrated annually on November 2nd – this never changes. The full holiday runs from late October 31 and lasts through to November 2nd, every year. The tradition centers around remembering, honoring, and celebrating your loved ones who have passed away.

While many of us associate death with sadness, the Day of the Dead is meant to do the opposite. It’s a holiday that emphasizes a positive relationship with death. Each day of the holiday has a specific role within the Day of the Dead tradition:

October 31 – All Hallows Eve

All Hallows Eve, which is considered Halloween in North America, kicks off the Day of the Dead festivities. According to tradition, it’s on this night at midnight that the gates of heaven open, allowing lost souls to momentarily rejoin their families. This evening people begin to dress up, especially children. Similar to North American tradition for Halloween, kids will walk around asking for candy. 

November 1 – Día de los Inocentes

November 1 is Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents). According to Day of the Dead tradition, the souls of children who have passed return to the world of the living on this day. As such, the day is spent specifically honoring children and infants who have died.

November 2 – Day of the Dead

November 2nd is the official Day of the Dead, also known as All Souls Day. On this day, families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. Many Mexicans go to their local cemetery to visit the graves of their departed loved ones. 

Giant white, smiling skulls and skeletons on a float at the Day of the Dead parade
Floats at the Day of the Dead parade

Why Travel to Mexico City for the Day of the Dead?

Mexico City is well worth a visit at any time of year, but traveling to Mexico City during the Day of the Dead adds a special opportunity to learn about a cultural tradition, and experience it first-hand. You’ll have many opportunities to partake in activities that only happen during the Day of the Dead.

Of course, there are many regions of Mexico where tourists can go to experience the Day of the Dead. The town of Patzcuaro, Oaxaca, and San Cristobal de las Casas are all popular places for observing the cultural traditions around Dia de los Muertos.

I’ve only experienced Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City, so I can’t comment on what it is like to observe the traditions in any other regions of Mexico. But I can emphasize that experiencing the holiday in Mexico City was educational and of course, fun.

In Mexico City the Day of the Dead celebrations combine many old and new traditions. Old traditions, like making ofrendas in homes and public spaces are practiced alongside new traditions, like the Day of the Dead Parade. Don’t worry, I’ll explain these traditions in detail later in this guide. 

How to Stay Online While in Mexico City

While in Mexico City, you’ll want to have a mobile data plan. Mobile data will help you with navigation, and translating on the fly.

You can get online with an easily with a quick-to-install eSIM through Airalo. What I appreciate most about Airalo’s eSIM is its simplicity. You can quickly select and activate an Airalo eSIM for Mexico through the Airalo app. Selecting, downloading, and activating your eSIM takes less than 5 minutes, and it’s easy to top up your eSIM if you run out of data.

You can get started with an Airalo eSIM, right here.

Tips for Attending Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Let’s dive into important tips for celebrating Day of the Dead in Mexico City, including what activities should be on your Day of the Dead itinerary, traditions to know, and Day of the Dead foods to try. 

1. Book Flights and Hotels in Advance

Day of the Dead in Mexico City is typically very busy. People travel into the city from other parts of Mexico to celebrate, and tourists come from other countries and regions of the world. 

As a result, flights and hotels can book up fast. If you’re planning to head to Mexico City for this holiday, I recommend booking as far in advance as possible. This way, you ensure you’ll be able to snag the flights and accommodations that suit you best. 

2. Pack For Both Hot and Cool Weather

People tend to associate Mexico with warm weather. But actually, Mexico has a variety of different climates. Mexico City is not as hot and humid as other parts of the country because of its high altitude. 

Mexico City’s elevation is 7,350 feet high (2240 meters), which makes it even higher than Denver, Colorado. This means that you’ll need some warm layers for your trip to Mexico City during the Day of the Dead. Particularly in the evenings, it’s cool enough to need a sweater or jacket.  

When I visited Mexico City for Day of the Dead, I was comfortable in jeans (or lightweight pants) and a t-shirt during the day. In the early mornings and evenings, I added a sweater. 

There’s also a chance of rain during fall in Mexico City, so it’s a good idea to bring a light rain jacket or umbrella. 

crowds of people in Zocalo square in Mexico City during Day of the Dead
Zocalo square in Mexico City during Day of the Dead

3. Remember Day of the Dead is Not Halloween

It’s important to say it: Day of the Dead is not Halloween. Visitors who are in Mexico City (or any part of Mexico during the holiday) might be tempted to think of the holiday as being related to Halloween, but it is actually very different. 

The differences between these holidays are rooted in their origins. Day of the Dead originally happened in the ninth month of the Aztec calendar and lasted for the entire month. Halloween is believed to have pagan roots, and is linked to the Celtic festival Samhain

While the Day of the Dead is about honoring ancestors, Halloween has a more sinister theme. Samhain was a festival charged with fear, danger, and full of supernatural episodes, and that’s why Halloween has become associated with the same things. 

Other major distinctions between them is that Day of the Dead spans three days, whereas Halloween is just one night. And while yes, people do dress up for Day of the Dead, the meaning behind doing so is completely different, because Day of the Dead is not meant to be “scary.”

4. Plan Your Day of the Dead Itinerary

Plan to spend at least 4 days in Mexico City for the Day of the Dead. This way, you can enjoy the festivities while also fitting in visits to Mexico City’s other points of interest.

You’ll want to carefully plan your itinerary for your trip. Many of the Day of the Dead festivities happen on specific days and at specific times. 

For example, if you intend to visit a cemetery, you’ll need to plan that for the evening of November 1. The parade tends to be held on a different day every year, so you’ll need to check with your hostel or hotel to find out what day it’s happening. 

With Day of the Dead festivities along with the usual Mexico City attractions, you can very easily fill up 4 days in the city. 

5. Learn the Tradition of Creating an Ofrenda

Putting effort into familiarizing yourself with local traditions when you travel is a wonderful way to visit a place as a responsible tourist. And, it’ll enrich your experience there!

This is exactly why knowing and understanding the traditions of Day of the Dead is super important if you plan to head to Mexico City during the Dia de los Muertos festivities.

Day of the Dead in Mexico revolves around the creation of an altar in the home that remembers and honors loved ones, called an ofrenda. According to tradition, the ofrenda must be in place by the evening of October 31.

An ofrenda is typically a table or another raised surface on which a family will place photos of the loved one they are commemorating, and items that may have belonged to them.

The altar is then decorated with marigolds (the official flower sponsor of Day of the Dead celebrations), candles, sugar skulls (I explain these shortly!), and colorful tissue paper banners called papel picado. Finally, families will place on the ofrenda the favourite foods and drinks of the person they are honoring. 

These altars, covered in flowers, candles and food, aren’t only placed inside homes. You’ll also see them in public spaces like museums, schools and in cemeteries. For example, the locals running the hostel we stayed in in Mexico City had set up an ofrenda inside the hostel. 

A public ofrenda in Zocalo, Mexico City for the Day of the Dead
A public ofrenda in Zocalo

6. See a Day of the Dead Ofrenda 

During the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, you’ll see ofrendas around the city, in public spaces. 

One of the best ofrendas is at the Casa Azul (Blue House), also known as the Museo Frida Kahlo (Frida Kahlo Museum). This museum is dedicated to one of Mexico’s most famous artists, Frida Kahlo.

During the Day of the Dead holiday, the museum puts up an elaborate display that honors Frida. The ofrenda is typically up some time in October, and stays up throughout November. Seeing the ofrenda is included with your museum entrance fee. 

Large ofrendas are created in Mexico City’s Zócalo, which is  the main square in central Mexico City. Throughout the holiday you can wander around the square, admiring the different altars. You’ll also see ofrendas inside businesses like shops and restaurants. 

7. Participate in Day of the Dead Face Painting

Throughout the Day of the Dead celebrations, people paint their faces to look like skulls, adding decorations to represent a loved one who has passed on. 

It’s very common to see a specific image depicted through costume and face painting during Dia de los Muertos, and that is the image of La Calavera Catrina. “La Calavera Catrina,” meaning the Catrina skull, is a Mexican icon. 

She is a high-society skeleton lady who is depicted dressed in a fancy floral hat. Her image was popularized by a 1910 etching by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. 

At the time of publication, Posada’s print was meant as political satire. It showed that the tailored European clothes and snooty attitudes of upper-class Indigenous Mexicans at the time didn’t matter because come death, we are all equal.

Throughout the Day of the Dead festivities there are face painters on the streets of Mexico City who you can pay to paint your face to be La Catrina. You’ll notice many locals who not only have their face painted, but wear fancy hats and turn of the century clothing to complete the Catrina look.

A traditional Catrina during Day of the Dead
A traditional Catrina during Day of the Dead

8. Visit a Mexico City Cemetery on Day of the Dead 

Visiting the graves of loved ones is an important part of the Day of the Dead tradition. On the evening of November 1, families go to the cemetery where they’ll spend the entire night, leaving on the morning of November 2 (which is the official Day of the Dead.)

That night, families decorate their loved one’s graves with candles, marigolds, other colorful flowers, papel picado, food, pictures, and toys if the grave is that of a child’s. Families play music, enjoy food and drink together, and you might even spot some people dancing.

The idea of the evening is to spend time again with the loved one who has passed on, and celebrate their life. Throughout the three days of Day of the Dead, cemeteries are festive, happy places bustling with people and activity. 

The most popular cemetery to visit for Day of the Dead festivities is Mixquic. During the holiday, this cemetery comes alive with decorations and celebrations. Walking around this cemetery at night, you get a true feel for the meaning of Day of the Dead. 

If you’d like to drop by a cemetery during the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, it is possible to join a Day of the Dead tour. I recommend this Mixquic Day of the Dead Celebration from Mexico City Tour

It’s a long commute to Mixquic from central Mexico City – with the Mixquic Day of the Dead tour, you don’t need to worry about an expensive cab ride, or public transportation. The tour has central meeting points in Mexico City, provides a good length of time at Mixquic, is well reviewed, and is reasonably priced.

The bus tours sell out quickly every year. So if you plan to book this Mixquic bus tour from Mexico City, reserve as soon as you can.

Here’s a bit about our experience visiting a cemetery on the Day of the Dead:

When I was in Mexico City for Day of the Dead, my partner and I visited a small cemetery on the outskirts of Mexico City. The cemetery was packed with people bustling around, chatting with each other, drinking, eating, and decorating graves. 

The entire cemetery glowed from the light of thousands of lit candles, and it felt alive with the energy of happy families. 

Walking through that cemetery I felt very comforted by the meaning of Dia de los Muertos. I thought to myself, wow, I’ve never gone to a cemetery at night because it feels like a dark, sad thing to do. And in general, I associate cemeteries with loss and sadness.
Visiting a cemetery on Day of the Dead helped me see how in Mexico, death is actively treated not just as a sad event, but as a celebratory one.

Day of the Dead is an annual opportunity to remember, talk about, and celebrate people we’ve lost. And I think that not only makes death as a concept less scary, but it normalizes long-term grief. 

Floats showing traditional mexican atire at the Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City
Floats at the Day of the Dead Parade

9. Enjoy Traditional Day of the Dead Food and Drinks

There are many foods and drinks associated with the Day of the Dead holiday! I’ve rounded up my personal four favorites. 
These are all easy to find when visiting Mexico City during Dia de los Muertos. So, be sure to add these Day of the Dead food and drinks to your list of must-try items:

  • Pan de Muerto

Yes, you read that right – Pan de muerto translates to death bread! This is a fluffy sweet bread that is traditionally consumed during the Day of the Dead season. You’ll find it for sale all over Mexico City, especially in markets. Be warned. I think it’s called death bread because it’s dangerously good.

Where to get it: Pasteleria Suiza in Roma is one of Mexico City’s oldest bakeries, and they serve delicious, traditional pan de muerto.

  • Sugar skulls

Sugar skulls are the quintessential treat to have during Dia de los Muertos. They are exactly what they sound like – an edible skull!
Traditional sugar skulls are made from a granulated white sugar mixture that is pressed into special skull molds. After the sugar mixture mold has dried, the sugar skull is decorated with icing, feathers, colored foil, candy, and more. 

Where to get it: During the Day of the Dead many families will make and decorate their own sugar skulls, often placing them on the ofrendas of their loved ones. But, you can find some sugar skulls to eat while in Mexico City during Day of the Dead – just pop into a bakery or visit a local market.

  • Mexican atole

Atole, also known as atolli and atol de elote, is a traditional non-alcoholic thick beverage made of corn, cinnamon, and vanilla. It is served hot and is especially popular to drink during Day of the Dead.

It’s also possible to have chocolate atole (champurrado), and atole will usually accompany a meal of tamales (tamales are also popular during Dia de los Muertos!).

Where to get it: There will be street stands selling atole, and you’ll also find it in many restaurants, including tamale shops. 

10. Prepare For Crowds in Mexico City During Day of the Dead

Mexico City becomes very festive during the Day of the Dead, so if you go during the holiday, expect the city to be busier than usual! In the city’s center, known as Centro Historico, the streets are packed with pedestrians. 

Much of the crowd revolves around Plaza del Zócalo. This square at the centre of Mexico City is where you’ll find  museums and iconic buildings like the art nouveau Palacio de Bellas Artes and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

During the Day of the Dead, the square hosts themed vendors as well as cultural performances. Aside from busy crowds, you can expect Day of the Dead in Mexico City to have a festive atmosphere. 

You’ll notice decorations and ofrendas everywhere you go, and you’ll encounter many locals dressed up with their faces painted to celebrate the occasion. The crowds can be a lot, but going out and wandering around is a great way to get a feel for the festivities. 

11. Attend the Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City 

The Day of the Dead Parade is traditionally held on the Saturday before Day of the Dead. Given this, the parade in 2023 is expected to be on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

However, it’s best to wait for an official announcement to confirm the date and time. This is typically announced by early October.
The Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City is a new tradition. The first parade was held in 2016, rumored to have been inspired by a scene depicting a parade in the James Bond film, Spectre.

The parade is an all day affair, a cavalcade of giant skulls and locals dressed in ornate costumes depicting La Catrina. Despite it being a new tradition, the parade has grown bigger every year, attracting both tourists and locals. 

The parade’s route starts at Estela de Luz, then travels up Av. Paseo de la Reforma, and ends late in the day at Mexico City’s central square, Zocalo.

Once the parade ends, the floats and many of the performers spend the rest of the afternoon and evening entertaining people in the Zócalo square.

12. Beware of Holiday Closures During Day of the Dead

If you’re visiting Mexico City during Day of the Dead, be prepared for some holiday closures. This is a special holiday in Mexico, and so many businesses, including public and municipal businesses, close. 

Banks, restaurants, museums and other public amenities might be closed, or have different hours because of the various events happening during the holiday. You can also expect some streets to be closed to vehicles during the holiday. 

Decorations in Zocalo for the Day of Dead in Mexico City (Dia de los Muertos)
Decorations in Zocalo for the Day of Dead (Dia de los Muertos)

13. Visit Zocalo During Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Visiting Mexico City’s Zócalo (the main square) is a must-do during Day of the Dead. This huge plaza takes on a super festive tone during the Day of the Dead. There you will see huge ofrendas and stages set-up for cultural performances. On the outskirts of the plaza, Indigenous people perform traditional dance routines. 

After the Day of the Dead Parade, all of the parade floats are parked in the square. It’s worth it to stop by the evening or day after the parade to walk around the square, admiring the floats up close. 

14. Visit Xochimilco for Day of the Dead

Visiting Xochimilco while in Mexico City for Day of the Dead is also a must-do. About an hour from the center of the city, Xochimilco is known for its Aztec canals. 

During the Day of the Dead holiday, you can embark on a special night-time boat ride through the canals. It’s a 25 year old tradition known as La Llorona en Xochimilco.

The evening begins with a 30-minute boat ride through the waterways, eventually reaching a lake. There, the boats form a semi-circle to watch a light and sound show that tells the story of Mexico’s history.

You can book this experience through your hotel or hostel, or make the trip to Xochimilco yourself and book a boat on arrival. 

15. Join Festivities for Day of the Dead in Coyoacán Centro

Day of the Dead in Coyoacán Centro is one of the biggest Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City. Coyoacán Centro is a borough of Mexico City, in an artsy neighborhood that goes all out for Day of the Dead. 

Coyoacán has several main plazas you can walk around, where you’ll find public ofrendas, stages for cultural performances, orchestras, and even a catrina contest. There are also street vendors, carnival rides, and games.

During the Day of the Dead holiday, Coyoacán feels like a giant fair, especially because the main plazas are pedestrian-only. 

16. Visit Six Flags Mexico For Day of the Dead Events

Six Flags Mexico is about one hour from the center of Mexico City. Although you wouldn’t think to go to a theme park while in Mexico City during Day of the Dead, it’s a great activity – particularly if you have kids. 

During Day of the Dead, the park is decorated to celebrate the holiday. You’ll see many catrinas walking around in full costume, and the park puts on its own mini Day of the Dead parade. 

colourful traditional boats on a river in Zoxhicmilco, Mexico
Xochimilco, Mexico

Tips For Attending the Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City

Arrive at the Day of the Dead parade early.

The Day of the Dead parade is very busy. If you intend to watch it, it’s recommended to find a viewing point at least two hours before the parade starts. Otherwise, you might miss out on a good view of the action. 

Go to the start of the parade route.

If you can, find a spot near the beginning of the parade route. This will eliminate some of the waiting time, and it’ll give you a head start on getting out of the area when the parade has finished. The routes sometimes change from year to year, so be sure to double check in your hotel or hostel where the parade will start when you’re there.

Prepare for a long day!

Day of the Dead in Mexico City is a long day with big crowds. Bring plenty of snacks, water, and sunscreen. I also recommend bringing an umbrella, a sweater, and a rain jacket because sporadic rain is not unusual during November in Mexico City. 

Carry cash in small bills on you.

You might get hungry during the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. Have some cash on you, specifically small bills. There will be lots of vendors selling snacks, drinks, treats, and more. Bring cash in case you’d like to purchase something!

Be prepared for noise.

Consider bringing headphones and/or earplugs. If you’re sensitive to noise and crowds, they are good to have on hand. Parade day is a long day, so being able to tune out for a little bit can be a nice break. 

Final Thoughts: Responsible Tourism and Day of the Dead 

It’s important to keep responsible tourism in mind whenever traveling. This means being aware of travel-related issues like overtourism and sustainability, and it also means being respectful of the cultures we visit.

Visiting Mexico City during the Day of the Dead means that you’ll be witnessing a very meaningful cultural tradition, and it’s important to witness, and in some cases participate, with care.

Ahead of going to Day of the Dead, do some learning! There are a couple ways to familiarize yourself with Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions. You can watch the movie Coco, which is a fun introduction to the holiday. 

There is also the PBS documentary Dia de Los Muertos / Day of the Dead about the history and traditions of Day of the Dead, which is free to watch online

When you head to Mexico City, remember that Dia de Muertos is not about being scary. It’s important to not misinterpret the meaning of Day of the Dead – Don’t try to dress up scary, or behave in a scary way. Day of the Dead is about celebrating and honoring family and friends who have passed. 

Planning a visit to Mexico City?

8 thoughts on “16 Essential Day of the Dead in Mexico City Tips”

  1. Really interesting. I already knew a little about Dia de Muertos because I am a Spanish teacher and had to learn about Mexican culture to teach to my US students. Nice touch about being culturally aware and respectful during this celebration

  2. Incredible post! Thank you for all of the insight! I have tickets to visit Oaxaca the week of the Day of the Dead celebration but…we’ll see. Either way, I loved love to visit Mexico City during the celebration as well!

  3. Vanessa Shields

    What a cool festival to experience! I’ve always wanted to visit Mexico for this but never really knew all the details behind it and how it differs from Halloween. Thank you for the excellent info and inspiration to attend one day!

  4. What an amazing experience Day of the Dead in Mexico must have been! Mexico is one of my favorite countries and I am dying to go back to see Mexico City. Also seems like it’s a city fit for foodies 🙂

  5. Arielle Kurtze

    I would love to experience Dia de Los Muertos in Mexico City! This is definitely on our bucket list. Loved your details and photos and thanks for sharing!

  6. What an AMAZING way to really experience the Day of the Dead. I have always love the tradition of celebrating your loved ones even after they have passed. The colors and food look amazing!

  7. Pingback: Your Essential Guide to 5 Days in Mexico City

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