Day of the Dead in Mexico City is an intriguing experience with so many different things to do. There are candlelit cemeteries during Day of the Dead in Mexico City to wander through to experience the ancestral tradition of Day of the Dead. Yet there are also grand Day of the Dead events in Mexico City, such as parades and concerts.

Then there are intriguing things to do for Day of the Dead in Mexico City, like a nighttime boat ride through ancient canals. Then there are the simple Day of the Dead activities in Mexico City to partake in. Getting a catrina face paint or eating pan de muerto is a must during Day of the Dead in CDMX. There’s really so much to do during Day of the Dead in Mexico City.

Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Day of the Dead is a special holiday throughout Mexico. Known locally as “Dia de Muertos,” this annual tradition is to remember and honor deceased family members. There is belief during this time that the dead comes closer to be with those of us who are living. It’s such a beautiful custom that is very unique to Mexico.

In fact, the holiday was even inscribed as one of Mexico’s intangible Unesco World Heritage Sites, right alongside mariachi and tequila! (Read the full Unesco description here.)

Why Travel to Mexico City for Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead is worth traveling to Mexico to experience. Yet there are many places throughout the country to consider.

There are several destinations all around Mexico to consider celebrating the special holiday. Patzcuaro has become arguably one of the most famous towns to observe these cultural traditions surrounding Dia de Muertos. Oaxaca has become another special place to observe the Day of the Dead customs. Or head further south to Chiapas, where the indigenous traditions really come alive in San Cristobal de las Casas.

Yet Mexico’s enormous sprawling capital has many old and new traditions alike, which now makes for a particularly attractive city in Mexico to experience Dia de Muertos. The numerous flight connections add to Mexico City’s appeal as an easy place to travel to for Day of the Dead. And the Day of the Dead traditions are growing and expanding here, blending old with new.

Day of the Dead is a really festive time in Mexico City. Many of the streets are colorfully decorated. There’s a fun mood in the air. Even many bars and restaurants put up ofrendas (remembrance altars.)

But perhaps one of the best things about Day of the Dead Mexico City is that there’s such a wide abundance of activities and events to partake in, from intimate gatherings at cemeteries to big festive celebrations.

There are several Day of the Dead events in Mexico City, which range from the cultural to the commercial. So we decided to celebrate the holiday in CDMX in a grand attempt to seek out the most interesting things to do in Mexico City during Day of the Dead. This post now offers suggestions for anyone considering going to celebrate Day of the Dead in Mexico City 2019 or beyond.

Like many aspects of Mexico City, things tend to be big here. Day of the Dead in Mexico City is certainly no exception to this. The capital of Mexico puts on some fun and captivating Day of the Dead events!

When Is Day of the Dead in Mexico City?

Day of the Dead falls on November 2 every year throughout Mexico. Yet in Mexico City, the holiday felt like at least a weeklong affair. The Day of the Dead festivities begins in Mexico City on the Saturday before Dia de Muertos as the parade rolls through the capital. Then, the night of October 31 kicks off a 3-day string of Day of the Dead activities in Mexico City.

October 31 ushers in the eve of Dia de Muertos and is also known as noche de brujas (night of the witches). November 1st is Day of the Innocents, that commemorates deceased children. And the actual Day of the Dead is on November 2. It all makes for a busy and festive three days to spend in Mexico City!

In Mexico City, the Day of the Dead holiday period tends to expand beyond those three days, when those days connect with the weekend. Mexico loves their fiestas after all!

10 Best Things To Do for Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Here are all our firsthand recommendations for what to do in Mexico City for Day of the Dead.

1) Attend the Day of the Dead Parade Mexico City

Known locally as “Desfile de Día de Muertos,” the Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City has become a major event, which precedes the actual holiday.

The parade displays some of the beautiful ancestral traditions of Day of the Dead, complete with large skeleton puppets, moving altars, alebrijes (mythical spirit creatures), marigolds, catrinas, skulls, traditional dancers, and more.

It all draws hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of spectators to Mexico City’s downtown area to witness the spectacular display. It’s a fun atmosphere, full of children and street vendors.

The Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City is actually a relatively new tradition, as it began in 2016. The parade is said to have been inspired by the 2015 James Bond film, Spectre. In the movie, the opening scene shows Daniel Craig as James Bond at a Day of the Dead parade in Mexico City.

But at the time the film was released, there was no such parade. So Mexico City decided to put on such a parade. It’s even been reported that some of the props from the movie are used in the parade today. Take a look!

When: This parade now occurs each year on the Saturday before Day of the Dead. So the Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade in 2019 will be held on Saturday, October 26. The parade begins at 4:00 pm, despite many reputable websites incorrectly reporting an 11:00 start time.

Where: Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade route begins at the Estela de Luz in the Bosque de Chapultepec and continues down the Paseo de la Reforma to the Zócalo..

Cost: Free

More info: The official website for parade info is: here. The site is in Spanish, so best to view in a browser, like Chrome, with a translation option.

Tip: Viewing does become crowded and there is much traffic, due to road closures, leading up to the event. So it is advised to arrive as much as two hours early to stake out a good spot so you can actually view the parade. The pic below will provide some idea of the crowd size from the 2018 Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City.

2) See the Ofrendas and Festivities in Mexico City’s Zócalo

A visit to Mexico City’s Zócalo (the main square) is a must-do on any trip to Mexico City. Yet during Day of the Dead, the enormous plaza takes on an even greater festive tone. There are grand ofrendas (altars honoring the dead) and stages set-up here as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations.

As part of Mexico City’s “Celebración de Muertos,” a Great Ofrenda of the Zócalo depicts contemporary ofrendas throughout the plaza, which change each year. In 2018, the theme depicted immigrants around the world who have died while trying to seek better opportunity.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the plaza, indigenous people perform traditional dance routines. It’s a fitting tribute, given that it takes place just outside of the ancient Aztec ruins of Templo Mayor that the historic center of Mexico City was built upon.

They also offer a “limpia,” or spiritual cleansing, by performing a quick ceremony blowing smoke and incense around your body. It’s a unique thing to do for Day of the Dead, right in the heart of Mexico City!

When: Exact dates vary by year, yet in 2018 the ofrendas were on display from October 26-November 4.

Where: Zocalo. It’s perhaps the most centrally located spot in CDMX. So it’s easy to get to by public transport, taxi, Uber, or even walking. Exact location: here.

Cost: Free. The indigenous dancers and cleansers perform off tips.

Tip: Just 500 meters north of the Zocalo, there is a separate set of ofrenda displays, known as the “megaofrenda” that is set up by the UNAM University in the Plaza Santo Domingo. Anyone interested in the Day of the Dead ofrendas in Mexico City’s Zocalo should be sure to continue onto these nearby displays, less than 10 minutes away by foot.

3) Celebrate Day of the Dead in Xochimilco

The Day of the Dead festivities throughout Xochimilco feel particularly atmospheric. Many visitors to Mexico City come to Xochimilco for its famous canals. Yet we found that the festivities going on throughout the center of this working-class neighborhood is also well worth the trek 28-kilometers south of Centro.

For Day of the Dead in Xochimilco, there are many festivities that take place. Xochimilco is known for its pulque (a fermented agave drink). So during Day of the Dead in Xochimilco, there is a pulque fiesta that takes place adjacent to the borough’s central plaza.

Meanwhile, an abundance of street vendors flood the closed-off street in front of the plaza that temporarily becomes a pedestrian thoroughfare.

Cultural dances take place in the plaza. And colorful sawdust carpets are put on display, all as part of the Xochimilco’s Day of the Dead festivities. There are also special ofrendas put up at Xochimilco’s Museo Dolores Olmedo, that are worth a Day of the Dead visit.

Yet what many people come to Xochimilco is for its canal rides. More on that next!

When: November 1 & 2

Where: In and around Plaza Central de Xochimilco, located: here.

Cost: Free. Even the pulque festival is free, but the pulques themselves cost a few pesos, of course.

Tip: When coming to Xochimilco for Dia de Muertos, consider combining the visit with a ride in the famous canals that surround this neighborhood.

4) Experience the Legend of La Llorna through the Xochimilco Canals

All around the community of Xochimilco are the Unesco-listed canals that were dug out by the Aztecs. It’s a unique waterway that attracts people year-round to ride around on the colorful gondola-like boats called “trajineras.”

Yet as part of the Day of the Dead events in Mexico City, you can embark on a special night boat ride through the canals! It’s a Day of the Dead activity that’s been taking place in Mexico City for 25 years now, called “La Llorona en Xochimilco.”

During the event, the ancient canals are transformed into a network of eerie waterways to tell the legend of La Llorona (The Weeper). This fable tells of a woman who drowned her children while in a fit of rage and now spends eternity crying while searching for her children in the rivers.

People stock up on snacks and cervezas, then load into these special boats that sit about 20 people with a communal table in the middle. A separate boat carries La Llorona as a famous song that shares her name plays on a loop to a point that it’ll be stuck in your head for days.

After about a 30-minute pole-propelled ride through the waterways, the boats reach a lake. It’s here that the boats get into semi-circle formation to watch a big light & sound show with a live performance.

A huge pyramid lights up as Mexico history and myths are acted out. Of course, La Llorona makes an appearance too, but the performance goes well beyond her tale.

Other boats pull up in back to offer everything from fresh hot street corn to more cervezas. There’s even a boat carrying port-o-potties, allowing people to relieve themselves for 10 pesos. Really! It’s all quite a unique and interesting Day of the Dead event in Mexico City to check out.

When: This event usually begins in late September and runs through November, but is particularly popular on the dates around Day of the Dead. Times vary by day.

Where: There are many different points throughout Xochimilco to take a canal boat ride. Yet the only place to do this special La Llorona boat ride is from the Embarcadero Cuemanco Xochimilco, located here. It’s best to take an Uber or taxi.

Cost: In 2018 tickets were $363 pesos, inclusive of both the boat ride and performance. You can purchase tickets in advance on Ticketmaster.

Tickets: You can purchase tickets in advance here: on ticketmaster.mx.

Tip: Attempt as best as possible to get in the middle of the queue to get on the boats. Don’t be first in line or last. This will provide better odds of getting a central position to watch the performance.

5) Have Fun at the Day of the Dead Coyoacán Centro

Día de Muertos in Coyoacán Centro is one of the biggest Day of the Dead celebrations within Mexico City. It’s quite the fiesta here!

This borough of Mexico City is an artsy neighborhood that goes all out for Day of the Dead. Within Coyacán’s adjoining main plazas there are many ornate public ofrendas (altars) that are put on display. Stages are erected for cultural performances, orchestras, and even a catrina contest.

Surrounding Coyoacán’s main plazas are several blocks that are all closed-off to vehicular traffic. Instead, the streets are filled with a fair-like atmosphere.

There are loads of street food vendors, small carnival rides, and games to play. So chow down on some elotes (Mexican street corn) and then play a carny game as music blares. It’s a really fun atmosphere to take in!

When: Exact dates of the events vary each year, but there will always be Day of the Dead festivities on November 1 & 2 in Coyoacan.

Where: Head towards Centro de Coyoacan, which is anchored by the adjoining Plaza Hildago and Jardin Centenario, located: here. It’s most easily reached by taxi or Uber, but you’ll likely have to get out a few blocks in advance of the plazas due to street closures and the festivities taking place.

Cost: Free

Tip: When coming to Coyoacan Centro for Day of the Dead, consider combining a visit with the Frida Museum. See below.

6) See the Day of the Dead Ofrendas at Mexico City’s Museums

Many of Mexico’s City’s museums put up elaborate ofrendas as a remembrance to the person that the museum honors.

Perhaps one of the best displays of this nature is at the Casa Azul (blue house) that is also known as the Museo Frida Kahlo. This museum dedicated to Mexico’s famed female artist puts up an elaborate display for Frida. It’s a lovingly impressive tribute to the artist!

In addition to the Frida ofrenda, other nearby ofrendas at museums can be found at Anahuacalli and the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares. Anahuacalli is a museum dedicated to Diego Rivera so, of course, there is a huge ofrenda for this famous Mexican artist.

Meanwhile, the Museo Nacional de Culturas Populares displays ofrendas from different parts of Mexico. It’s a great place to learn about the regional differences of Day of the Dead celebrations throughout Mexico.

When: Definitely Nov 1 & 2, and often the days leading up to Day of the Dead.

Where: Each of these museums is located around Coyoacan.

Cost: $246.10 pesos to Museo Frida Kahlo

Tickets & More Info: Buy advanced tickets to the Museo Frida Kahlo: here.

Tip: Buy your museum ticket online to avoid a very lengthy queue. There was a 2½ hour wait for those arriving at the Casa Azul on Nov 2, wanting to see Frida’s ofrenda without a pre-purchased ticket.

7) Visit a Cemetery in Mexico City for Day of the Dead

While there are many public Day of the Dead celebrations throughout Mexico City, much of the Día de Muertos traditions are a family affair. Families gather at ofrendas in their homes and at the cemeteries, to remember and honor their deceased loved ones.

The festive atmosphere continues into the graveyards, as families commune with their fallen relatives. Graves are decorated with fresh flowers, candles are lit, pan de muerto is passed around, and actually, lots of eating and drinking takes place, all right at the gravesites. Many of the deceased’s favorites are passed around and also left for them to enjoy in the afterlife.

You can find these traditions being carried out in many of Mexico’s City’s cemeteries, which are known locally as “panteons.” Arguably the most famous graveyard in Mexico City to experience these rituals is the far-flung community of Mixquic.

On the night of November 2, the Mixquic cemetery becomes completely abuzz as the graves are lit up by candlelight and those Cempasúchil flowers are scattered about. It’s even rumored that Mixquic was the inspiration behind the cemetery in the movie, Coco.

The only trouble of going to Mixquic to experience Dia de Muertos is that it can take over two hours to reach from Mexico City centro. If staying in centro, it can be most convenient to take a tour out to Mixquic. For 2019, we can suggest this affordable Viator tour to Mixquic on November 2. But be sure to book in advance, as it does fill up.

For a cemetery that isn’t quite as far to reach, yet still candlelit and festive, another option to consider is Panteon Xilotepec in Xochimilco. This tour on November 1 to Xochimilco is a convenient way to experience both the canals and the cemetery.

When: Graveyards during Day of the Dead in Mexico City are at their most festive on the night of November 2.

Where: Mixquic is located here, about a 2-hour drive from downtown Mexico City.

Cost: There’s no charge to enter the cemeteries to experience these Day of the Dead traditions in Mexico City.

Tickets & More Info: If you’re visiting these cemeteries as part of a Day of the Dead tour, you can find tickets and more info here:

• Xochimilco (November 1): Day of the Dead Tour with Xochimilco Canal Ride
• Mixquic (November 2): Mixquic Day of the Dead Celebration

Tip: Even though the festive atmosphere spills over into the graveyard, it’s important to remember to be respectful in the cemeteries. Don’t dare touch the grave displays or offerings. It’s also best to refrain from snapping photos of people.

8) Eat Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) in Mexico City

Pan de Muerto is a special bread that is sold all over in the days leading up to Day of the Dead in Mexico City. This bread of the dead can be found in the supermarkets, bakeries, and street vendors. We even saw it being promoted on Uber Eats – it’s everywhere!

It is traditional to eat this sweet bread during the Día de Muertos holiday, whether at a gravesite or in the home at the ofrenda (a tribute altar to deceased loved ones). Sometimes the bread is left for the departed loved ones too, as is witnessed at gravesites all throughout Mexico.

The shapes baked atop the bread are meant to symbolize bones, representing the deceased. It’s nice, fluffy bread that is not overly sweet. There are different variations of pan de muerto, as some are topped with sesame seeds and others contain a filling.

In Mexico City, the most common type of Pan de Muerto has a good dusting of sugar on the top, not too dissimilar from a sugar donut. It’s a tasty treat to eat during Day of the Dead in Mexico City!

When: Pan de Muertos starts making an appearance about a week prior to Day of the Dead in Mexico City and can be found in even greater abundance on Nov 1 & 2.

Where: It’s everywhere. Check bakeries, supermarkets, and popular Day of the Dead locations throughout Mexico City.

Cost: Expect $10-$50 pesos, depending on where you buy and the quality.

Tip: Just be sure to enjoy this special seasonal treat!

9) Get A Catrina Face Paint in Mexico City

Catrinas are those skeletal depictions that have become an icon of Day of the Dead, like this one.

As such, one Day of the Dead tradition that has become quite popular in Mexico City is to get a catrina face painting. Kids and adults do it. Both locals and visitors alike dawn this sugar skull face paint.

In the popular Day of the Dead locations throughout Mexico City, there are face make-up artists among the street vendors, ready to paint faces in this sugar skull fashion. Booklets of options are available to choose a design. Yet some people come with their own idea from pictures found online and shown on their phone.

A catrina is a female, but men get in the act too, which is instead known as “cantrins.” Whether a cantrin or catrina, it’s a fun way to get into the spirit of Day of the Dead in Mexico City.

When: People adorn catrina facepaint from October 31-November 2.

Where: Near the Zocalo or Coyoacan are great places to get a catrina face paint during Day of the Dead in Mexico City.

Cost: Expect to pay anywhere between $50-$200 pesos, depending on the skill of the make-up artist, the complexity of the design, and the time it takes.

Tip: This is a popular thing to do during Day of the Dead in Mexico City. Lines for face painting become long. Go early to avoid a wait.

10) Give Out Candy to the Niños for Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Did you think trick-or-treating was just for Halloween? Giving out candy to kids has also become a tradition we noticed throughout Mexico City during Day of the Dead. It may not be a particularly authentic custom of Day of the Dead, but it is now widely occurring throughout downtown Mexico City.

Children don’t go door-to-door though. Instead, they’re simply dressed in costume wandering the streets with candy pails that have openings on the backsides, rather than the top.

People passing by these adorable costumed kids will then toss a few treats into their pails.

When: Kids walk around Mexico City with candy pales from October 1 – November 2.

Where: We noticed this throughout Mexico City, even in quieter neighborhoods. Yet it was most prominent in and around the Zocalo in downtown CDMX.

Tip: If you’re walking around downtown Mexico City during Day of the Dead, pack some small candies to join in the fun and put a smile on some niños’ faces.

Bonus Activity) Get Scared at the Festival de Terror at Six Flags Mexico

This is certainly a much more commercial and not-so-traditional event during Dia de Muertos. Yet it’s still a very fun thing to do during Day of the Dead in Mexico City that does display Dia de Muertos traditions. And it’s a fantastic value too!

In addition to terror attractions like extravagant haunted houses, Six Flags Mexico also has their own Day of the Dead parade. The park is adorned with skeleton figures and many catrinas roam around the theme park.

If the terror attractions don’t manage to scare you (they will), the crazy thrill rides at Six Flags Mexico will certainly manage to make you scream.

It all makes for a fun atmosphere! Yet we’d only recommend this for those with longer stays in Mexico City during Day of the Dead, or those who really love theme parks. Otherwise, we’d put much greater weight towards the aforementioned cultural activities.

When: The Six Flags Mexico Festival of Terror runs each year from mid-September to mid-November.

Where: Six Flags Mexico is about a 30-minute drive South of Centro, located here.

Cost: Day passes to Six Flags Mexico are $649 pesos. Some of the Festival of Terror festivities are included, such as the terror zones, shows, and parade. Yet the terror attractions all require an extra ticket of $280 pesos.

Tickets & More Info: Official website: here.

Tip: Check for promotions when buying tickets. During 2018, a promotion offered annual passes for $674 pesos. That’s only $25 pesos more than a day ticket and gets you into the theme park for the next 14 months!

Experiencing Day of the Dead in Mexico City

We hope this guide to Day of the Dead in Mexico City has provided some idea of what to expect when celebrating the holiday in Mexico’s capital. It’s lots of fun and a very interesting time of year to visit Mexico City. We certainly recommend it!

As events and activities for Day of the Dead 2019 are announced, we’ll be sure to come back and update this post to give you all the information, should you venture out to CDMX for these holiday traditions. Until then, feel free to ask any questions in the comments.

¡Buen viaje! 

The post Day of the Dead in Mexico City: 10 Best Things To Do + Where To Go appeared first on Roaming Around the World.