1 and 2 November
Day of the Dead in Mexico
Altars with cempasúchil marigolds, sugar skulls, cemeteries lit by candles and parades of catrinas: where to experience the Day of the Dead, part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Updated 19 October 2026 · How we make our guides
The essentials
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MexicoOaxaca
Comparsas in the streets, altars in every home and cemeteries full of candles and flowers all night.
From 31 October to 2 November
What to see in Oaxaca -
MexicoMexico City
The big Day of the Dead parade through the centre, monumental offerings and the night in Mixquic.
Late October and early November
What to see in Mexico City -
MexicoPuebla
The multi-tiered offerings of Huaquechula and the giant catrinas of Atlixco, near the city.
What to see in Puebla
Colonial cities
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MexicoSan Miguel de Allende
Cobbled streets with altars, catrinas and the La Calaca festival, with music and art.
What to see in San Miguel de Allende -
MexicoGuanajuato
Colourful alleys with catrinas and the Mummy Museum, very busy at this time.
What to see in Guanajuato
In Yucatán: Hanal Pixán
The Maya version of the festival, with its own food: mucbipollo, a large tamale baked underground.
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MexicoMérida
The Paseo de las Ánimas, with people painted as skulls and altars all along the route.
What to see in Mérida -
MexicoValladolid
Altars and traditional Yucatecan food in a colonial city a stone’s throw from Chichén Itzá.
What to see in Valladolid
Frequently asked questions
When is the Day of the Dead?
It’s celebrated on 1 and 2 November: the 1st is dedicated to children who have died and the 2nd to adults. The celebrations begin in late October.
Where is the best place to experience the Day of the Dead?
Oaxaca is the most famous, with its comparsas and cemeteries; Mexico City has the big parade; and Puebla and Yucatán have traditions of their own.
What is cempasúchil?
The orange flower of the Day of the Dead: its petals are used to make paths so the souls can find their family’s altar.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico for the Day of the Dead?
The destinations on this list are among the most visited; even so, check the official travel advice before you go, because some parts of the country are advised against.
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Reviewed 19 October 2026. Dates and seasonal warnings: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.
Cover photo: Luisroj96 (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.