How Is Día de Los Muertos Celebrated in Mexico
When you think of Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, what comes to mind? Perhaps you envision vibrant parades, faces painted as Catrinas, and streets lined with marigolds. While these images capture part of the spirit, the true essence of this Mexican tradition runs much deeper. It’s a time of connection, reflection, and celebration—a beautiful opportunity to honor loved ones who have passed away while cherishing the life we live today.
Let’s take you beyond the surface, into the heart of this tradition, and share our own experience celebrating Día de Los Muertos in Oaxaca.
The Heart of Día de Los Muertos
Día de Los Muertos is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, coinciding with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. But unlike somber memorials, this holiday is a joyful gathering that welcomes the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living.
Families create ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, favorite foods, and personal mementos of their loved ones. The marigold, known as cempasúchil, is believed to guide spirits with its bright color and scent. The air fills with the aroma of tamales and pan de muerto (a sweet bread), and cemeteries become the site of family gatherings, laughter, and music.
But here’s the most profound part: Día de Los Muertos is not only about honoring those who have passed but also about celebrating life itself. It invites us to reflect on how we live, the legacy we’re building, and the stories we’ll leave behind.
The Days of Día de Los Muertos: A Celebration Across Time
Día de Los Muertos is more than just a single day of remembrance. The celebration spans several days, each with its own unique focus and traditions. Here's how the holiday unfolds:
October 27: Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels)
The festivities begin on October 27, a day dedicated to remembering pets who have passed away. In some regions, families create small ofrendas with photos, favorite toys, or treats that their beloved pets once enjoyed. It's a tender way to honor the unconditional love and joy that animals bring into our lives.
October 28: Honoring Those Who Died Suddenly
This day is reserved for those who passed away suddenly or under tragic circumstances, including accidents or violence. Families light a candle on their ofrendas and place a glass of water, symbolizing the hope of peace and rest for these souls.
October 31: Preparing for the Arrival of Spirits
On the night of October 31, families prepare their homes and ofrendas to welcome the spirits of the departed. The altars are adorned with marigolds, candles, and offerings such as tamales, pan de muerto, and sugar skulls. This preparation sets the stage for the spirits' return to the living world.
November 1: Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents)
Also known as Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), November 1 is dedicated to the souls of children who have passed away. Families believe that the spirits of these young ones return first, and they prepare their favorite treats, toys, and small candles to guide them back.
This day is filled with both joy and tenderness as families remember the purity and innocence of these young souls.
November 2: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
The main celebration takes place on November 2, when the spirits of adults return to visit their loved ones. Families gather at cemeteries, bringing food, drinks, and music to share with both the living and the dead. The atmosphere is a blend of reverence and festivity, as people tell stories, laugh, and celebrate the lives of those they’ve lost.
Many cemeteries become vibrant hubs of activity, filled with candles that light up the night. This is the day we visited the panteón in Oaxaca, witnessing firsthand how deeply personal and meaningful this tradition is for families.
November 3: Farewell to the Spirits
On November 3, families say goodbye to the spirits, who return to the afterlife. Candles on the ofrendas are extinguished, and offerings are often shared or consumed by the family. It's a moment of closure, gratitude, and reflection as the living return their focus to the present, carrying the memories of their loved ones with them.
Each day of Día de Los Muertos holds a unique significance, reflecting the diverse and deeply spiritual nature of this tradition. From honoring pets to celebrating the lives of children and adults, the holiday is a beautiful tapestry of remembrance and joy. It’s a reminder that life and death are deeply interconnected, and that through memory and love, we remain forever connected to those who came before us.
Our Journey to Oaxaca: A Personal Experience
This year, Javier and I had the privilege of celebrating Día de Los Muertos in Oaxaca, a city known for its rich cultural traditions. We’d heard about the famous parades and bustling markets, but we wanted to experience something more intimate, something closer to the heart of the tradition.
On the afternoon of November 2nd, our taxi driver suggested taking us to a panteón (cemetery) away from the usual tourist spots. “This one is where we go,” he said. And so, we followed him to a quiet cemetery on the outskirts of town, where the celebration felt entirely different.
There were no tourists donning marigold crowns or painted faces. Instead, we found families sitting quietly by the graves adorned with flowers and sharing stories. Children played nearby, their laughter blending with the soft strumming of a guitar. The atmosphere was serene, filled with warmth and an unspoken reverence. Some were grieving. Some were celebrating. It was clear this was a deeply personal ritual, a time for families to reconnect with those who had passed.
A Tradition Evolving with Time
Many of the iconic elements now associated with Día de Los Muertos, such as elaborate parades and extravagant displays, are relatively new additions. One of the most notable influences came from the 2015 James Bond film Spectre. The movie opens with a dramatic scene set in Mexico City during what appears to be a massive Día de Los Muertos parade. Featuring towering skeleton marionettes, live music, and crowds of people in elaborate Catrina makeup, the scene was visually stunning—but purely fictional.
At the time, no such parade existed in Mexico City. However, the cinematic portrayal captured the imagination of both locals and tourists. In 2016, inspired by the film’s success, Mexico City held its first official Día de Los Muertos parade, mimicking the grandeur of the Spectre scene. This inaugural event was a huge success, drawing tens of thousands of spectators and quickly becoming an annual tradition. Today, it attracts millions of visitors, making it one of the city’s most popular events.
While these parades have boosted tourism and brought global attention to Día de Los Muertos, it’s important to note that they don’t reflect the holiday’s traditional roots. Historically, the celebration has been a deeply personal and family-oriented occasion, focused on intimate gatherings, home altars, and quiet cemetery visits.
For those seeking a more authentic experience, smaller towns and communities, like those in Oaxaca, offer a closer connection to the original spirit of the holiday. In these places, the focus remains on honoring the dead in a deeply spiritual and familial way, free from the commercial spectacle often found in larger cities.
The evolution of Día de Los Muertos highlights the dynamic nature of cultural traditions. While modern interpretations like the Mexico City parade add a new layer of celebration, the heart of the holiday continues to beat in the personal stories, memories, and connections shared by families across Mexico.
A Celebration of Life
As we walked through the candlelit panteón, I couldn’t help but think about how Día de Los Muertos is as much about the living as it is about the dead. It’s a reminder to cherish every moment, to nurture the relationships we have, and to live a life that honors the memories of those who came before us.
This holiday asks an important question: How are we honoring the lives of our loved ones, and how will we be remembered? It invites us to reflect not only on death but on the richness of life—its joys, challenges, and connections.
For Javier and me, this experience in Oaxaca wasn’t just about witnessing a tradition; it was a powerful opportunity to think about our own lives and the stories we’re creating. Día de Los Muertos is a time to celebrate the people who have shaped us, to preserve their stories, and to carry their legacies forward.
Final Thoughts: How Is Día de Los Muertos Celebrated in Mexico
Día de Los Muertos is more than a holiday; it’s a beautiful reflection of Mexican culture’s unique relationship with life and death. It teaches us that remembrance can be joyous, that life should be celebrated, and that even in death, we remain connected to those we love.
As we left the cemetery that afternoon, I felt a profound sense of gratitude—not only for the lives of those who had passed but for the life we are living today. And I couldn’t help but wonder: What stories will we leave behind, and how will we continue to celebrate life each day?
Whether you’re in Mexico or celebrating from afar, Día de Los Muertos offers a timeless lesson: Live fully, love deeply, and honor those who came before you.
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