Are you thinking of going to Mexico City for the Day of the Dead? Here’s a thorough guide to celebrating “Dia de Muertos” with all you need to know, including the finest things to do in Mexico City on Day of the Dead!

What is Day of the Dead?

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a three-day celebration. It is known as Dia de Muertos in Spanish. This one-of-a-kind festival commemorates and honors people who have died. Mexicans consider Easter as a time of celebration rather than mourning. During this time, it is believed that the deceased came closer to joining the living.

Families will erect an altar (known as an ofrenda) and adorn it with bright flowers, pictures, and the deceased’s favorite foods to ask their dead loved ones to come back for a visit on the Day of the Dead. During it, you can see them throughout the city.

When Is Day Of The Dead 2024?

The Day of the Dead is celebrated for two days, on November 1st and November 2nd. If you want to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico City, you must visit these two days.

During this period, it feels like a two-day fiesta in Mexico City, with each Day having a distinct meaning:

• On November 1st, Mexicans specifically honor deceased children. The day is filled with various traditional activities and customs.
• The Day of the Dead is observed on November 2nd. This time, Mexicans honor deceased adults and families visit cemeteries to adorn the graves of their loved ones.

Food & Drink

Food and drinks have an essential and symbolic role in Dia de Los Muertos, whether picnicking at the gravesite, having a meal at home or both. While many families spend the Day savoring their loved ones’ favorite cuisine, a few unique foods and drinks are a hallmark of the occasion.

• Pan de Muerto: The pan de Muerto is sugar-dusted and set at the altar to nourish hungry spirits after their long journey back from the afterlife–this sweet bread is an essential part of the event!
• Sugar Skulls: The brilliantly colored skulls, known as Calaveras, represent the deceased’s holiday’s most recognizable symbol. These vivid and tasty skulls, which are typically fashioned from sugar, are a memorable component of the festival and have become popular as souvenirs throughout Mexico.
• Tequila: Water, tequila, and other beverages are not only shared among family members throughout the holiday season but can also be placed at the altar to quench the thirst of spirits visiting from the afterlife and prepare them for the long voyage ahead.

Interesting Facts about the Dia de Los Muertos

• Mesoamerican civilizations have practiced this custom of commemorating the dead for almost 3000 years!
• According to the tradition, children’s souls return on November 1, and the spirits of adults return on November 2.
• The skull, often known as a calaca, is the most common Day of the Dead sign.

You, too, can have a good time on Day of the Dead by dressing up in a costume and going out to celebrate. In addition to enjoying the countryside event, you will see and learn about numerous Mexican traditions.

So, plan your trip for a genuinely enthralling and realistic Day of the Dead celebration.