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What is the Day of the Day festival?
Day of the Dead, or Día de Los Muertos in Spanish, is not just a national Mexican celebration, over the years, it's become a worldwide festivity and a must visit event! Day of the Dead is celebrated around the same time as Halloween, so often people get confused between the two. Most of you may have seen colourfully painted skulls and vibrant skeletons around the shops, but what's this all about? Have a read to find out the difference between Halloween and Mexico's Day of the Dead, with all the fun facts you need to know!
Want to know how to plan a trip to Day of the Dead in 2027? Let us do it for you! Our 2026 dates for Día de los Muertos have sold out, so this is your sign to get in early if you want a spot on our 2027 Day of the Dead tour!
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1. DAY OF THE DEAD IS DIFFERENT TO HALLOWEEN
Firstly, Halloween is celebrated on 31st October, and Day of the Dead is celebrated on 2nd November. Although the name might trick you, Day of the Dead is a celebration of life, and it is separate from Halloween. Halloween is celebrated mainly in the UK and USA, and it comes from the Celtic festival of Samhain, where people dress up in 'scary' outfits and revolve the day pretty much around decorating pumpkins and stocking up on sweets. Whereas Day Of The Dead celebrates the lives of lost ones, and the day is spent partying or having a fiesta, as the Spanish say! Day of the Dead is a celebration, and there is nothing scary about this day! Families and relatives gather together to remember the spirits of children who passed away. Often, the streets are filled with music and dancing, with everyone covered in the colours of the rainbow, and wacky decorations filling everyone's homes.
2. SWEET TREATS ARE A NECESSITY
What's a celebration without a sweet treat, hey! As with many occasions, food tends to be a centre point. From sweet bread referred to as 'dead bread' to sugar sweets in the shape of skulls, you won't be leaving the party hungry - that's for sure!
3. A CELEBRATION FULL OF HUMOUR
Day of the Dead is the perfect time to release all your laughter and giggles as it's full of Mexican humour. From dancing skeletons to quirky and fun artwork. Nothing is boring about this day!
4. IT'S A BIGGER CELEBRATION THAN CHRISTMAS
Yup, you read that right - Day of the Dead is a bigger deal than Christmas Day in Mexico. With the celebrations taking place over a few days, Mexicans have their biggest public holiday so they can make the most of this special event.
5. EVERYONE VISITS A CEMETERY
As the day revolves around celebrating the dead, the tradition is to visit a cemetery. Some spend the night there, and others bring offerings such as candles and flowers to celebrate their lives. Although emotions can fly high, the purpose is to celebrate and think about all the positives that their loved ones bring.
There you have a little taster of Day of the Dead in Mexico. It's an amazing festival that should be on everyone's bucket list! This short but sweet trip jam-packs all the epic Mexican celebrations into 6 awesome days. We've seen it in the movies (yes, we all wept at Coco) and now we're heading into the heart of Mexico City to see what it's all about. From exploring unmissable neighbourhoods, such as Xochimilco, to being in the beating heart of the city during the parades, THIS is the ultimate way to experience the historic celebrations like a local!
6. Marigolds and altars are everywhere
Keep an eye out for cempasúchil (bright orange marigolds) scattered from cemeteries to front doors. Their scent and colour are believed to guide spirits home. Families build ofrendas (altars) loaded with photos, favourite foods, candles and flowers for the people they're remembering. It's one of the most visually striking parts of the whole celebration, and a big reason the festival photographs so well.
7. Everyone visits a cemetery
Because the day is about honouring the dead, cemeteries become the heart of the celebration. Some families spend the whole night there with candles, flowers and offerings; others visit briefly to tidy graves and sit with memories. It can get emotional, but the purpose is celebration, not grief, remembering the good the person brought while they were here.
Day of the Dead FAQs
When is Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead is celebrated on 1-2 November every year, with events and parades often starting a few days earlier.
Is Day of the Dead the same as Halloween?
No. Halloween (31 October) is a separate, unrelated celebration with different origins. Day of the Dead honours deceased loved ones and is a celebration of life, not a scary or spooky holiday.
Where's the best place to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico?
Mexico City hosts one of the most famous processions, alongside standout celebrations in Oaxaca and villages like San Andrés Mixquic.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes! Accommodation and tours sell out well ahead of the date, so book early if you're planning to experience it!
