Day of the Dead

About Day of the Dead

Día de Muertos, on 1 and 2 November, is a Mexican celebration of life and remembrance, with deep roots in Aztec and other Mesoamerican traditions that has combined with the Catholic All Saints and All Souls. Families build an ofrenda, an altar in the home or at the grave, decorated with photographs, candles, papel picado, orange cempasúchil marigolds, whose petals and scent are said to guide the souls, and the favourite foods and drinks of those who have died. Sugar skulls, calaveras, are decorated with names, and pan de muerto, a sweet round bread, is baked. On the night of 1 and 2 November, whole families spend the night in the cemetery, with music and food. The tradition, listed by UNESCO, is cheerful rather than sad. In Oaxaca, Michoacán's Janitzio and Mixquic, it is especially vivid.

Day of the Dead dates: 2026, 2027, 2028

What is eaten

• pan de muerto
• tamales
• atole
• mole
• sugar skulls

Traditions of Day of the Dead

OfrendaThe altar of offerings.

More marked on Day of the Dead

🇲🇽 San Salvador Huixcolotla, Mexico and 1 morePapel picado A Mexican folk art of cutting intricate designs into tissue paper for festive and spiritual displays.Festival 🇲🇽 Huamantla, Mexico and 4 moreSawdust carpettapete de aserrín Colored sawdust designs laid on streets to greet religious processions in Latin America and beyond.Festival 🇲🇽 Mexico and 1 moreCalaca Skull and skeleton figures made for the Day of the Dead, joyful rather than sadCraft