Why travel to Oaxaca for the Day of the Deads? Oaxaca offers from October 26th to November 3nd more than 140 events, almost all free, a broad program of cultural activities, including traditional parades, altars, sand carpet exhibitions, tours of cemeteries, gastronomic fairs and displays of Day of the Dead expressions from across the eight regions of Oaxaca.

What does Day of the Dead mean? The death is not an end, it is a natural and celebrated part of life. Families build altars in homes and public spaces, which are believed to guide the deceased back to the world of the living, decorated with photographs, sugar skulls, favorite food and more. November 1: dedicated to honoring deceased infants and children. November 2: dedicated to remembering adults. Families spend the night in cemeteries, sing the music that their dead liked, drink Mezcal and celebrate the dead.

Why the celebration in Oaxaca is special? Although the Day of the Dead is celebrated throughout Mexico, but the way in which the days of the dead are celebrated in Oaxaca is considered the most authentic and the heart of Mexico. Every late October, Oaxaca transforms into a living tapestry of color, filled with cultural, spiritual, music, art and tradition. Don't leave without trying “pan de muertos” and hot chocolate.

Highlights:

October 26: performance “Oaxaca between the life and the death “ at the zócalo 6pm

October 27: From October 23 to November 6, illumination of the fields of marigolds “cempasúchil”. Location: Carretera a Arrayola, km 3.5, San Javier, Xoxocotlan.

October 28: Inauguration of the monumental carpet, Government Palace corridor

October 29: to November 2: Gastronomic in the Plaza de la Danza

exhibition of the prehispanic altar at Museo de Arte Precolombino 10am-6pm

October 30: “Xandú" festival with free bread of the dead"and hot chocolate, as well as tamales and coffee, to visitors. at 6pm streets around the zócalo

October 31: Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán. Famous for its candlelit vigils in the cemetery, where thousands of lights and flowers transform the graveyard into a shining sea of remembrance

The exhibition of more than 17 altars representing the 16 cultures of indigenous and Afro-Mexican peoples, 6pm zócalo

November 1: Magna Comparsa - colourful parade of alebrijes, marmots, fireworks, will be accompanied by music, starts at 6pm at the fuente de las 8 regiones towards the zócalo

November 2: Zaachila (Nov. 1–2): Celebrated for its intricate sand carpets that stretch from the cemetery to the church

November 3: Villa de Mitla (Oct. 31–Nov. 3): Known for sand carpet contests, cultural presentations, and a grand closing parade on Nov. 3.

Closing concert at the zócalo

SMARTPHONES: 

Please note the date of the attractions listed, is not in chronological order on the smartphone.