Preparations for Day of the Dead in Mexico City
As November approaches, Mexico City gears up to celebrate the Day of the Dead with a variety of cultural and traditional events that honor loved ones who have passed away. These festivities will take place throughout the city, filling it with color, music, and tradition until early November.
Organized by the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC)
The events are organized by the Secretaría de Seguridad Ciudadana (SSC) and will be held in the Historic Center. After a run, participants can take photos with the garlands and receive the traditional sugar skull. The meeting point is Avenida Juárez at 5:00 PM.
Weekend Activities
Nocturnal Bike Ride
Cyclists, rollerbladers, and pedestrians will traverse a 19-kilometer circuit along Paseo de la Reforma and the Historic Center. Participants can dress up and decorate their bikes. The starting point is Glorieta de la Diana Cazadora from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Date: Sunday, October 26
Monumental Offering in the Zócalo
The traditional Monumental Offering will be installed in the Plaza de la Constitución, located in the heart of the Historic Center. This year, it will be inaugurated at 12:00 PM with a theme honoring Tonantzin, the Mexica mother goddess, featuring figures over 10 meters tall, marigold flowers, and papel picado. It will be open to the public until November 2.
Mega Procession of Catrinas
In this parade, you’ll see Catrinas and Catrinas moving from Paseo de la Reforma to the Zócalo. The meeting point is Ángel de la Independencia at 5:50 PM, though it’s recommended to arrive early as the main stage near Ángel will have activities starting at 2:00 PM.
Saturday and Sunday
Horror Festival
Centro Cultural Futurama will host a horror festival, featuring themed movie screenings, cosplayers, trivia, prizes, and special snacks. The address is Cerrada de Otávalo 15, Lindavista, Gustavo A. Madero. Ticket cost is 55 pesos, which will be donated to various NGOs. Here’s the schedule for this weekend:
- Saturday, October 25: La Monja – 12:30 PM / The Fly – 3:30 PM / Exorcist – 6:30 PM.
- Sunday, October 26: Halloween II – 12:30 PM / It – 3:30 PM / Conjuring – 6:30 PM. On this day, there will also be a Collector Bazar focused on horror collectibles.
Coffee, Chocolate, and Day of the Dead Bread Fair
You can find ground and instant coffee, artisanal chocolate from various regions in Mexico, as well as traditional Day of the Dead bread in many varieties at the Centro de Convenciones Churubusco on Calzada de Tlalpan number 1,721, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
Other Events
Festival of Marigold Flowers
Producers of the marigold (cempasúchil) will adorn the area between Ángel de la Independencia and Glorieta del Ahuehuete, offering marigold-derived products from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM until November 2.
Monumental Alebrijes
The Desfile de Alebrijes Monumentales exhibition will showcase around 200 outdoor pieces that you can enjoy from Ángel de la Independencia to Estela de Luz, 24 hours a day, until November 9.
International Lights Festival
The Festival Internacional de las luces “Solo la Luz” will take place from Ángel de la Independencia to Estela de Luz, gathering works by artists who use light, both Mexican and international. You can view them from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM until October 29.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Day of the Dead? The Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is a Mexican holiday to honor and remember deceased loved ones.
- When and where are the events taking place? Events will take place in Mexico City’s Historic Center from late October to early November.
- What activities are available during the weekend? Activities include a nocturnal bike ride, monumental offering in the Zócalo, mega procession of Catrinas, horror festival, coffee and chocolate fair, and more.
