What is Dia de los Muertos?

October 31st is Halloween to most of North America. But, in Mexico, we celebrate Dis de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that dates back to ancient civilizations. In its simplest form, it’s a day of remembrance.

Mexicans celebrate their passed loved ones by honoring them via many traditions. In the 16th century, colonizers brought Catholic holidays. Mexicans combined these new ideas with existing traditions to create the Dia de los Muertos celebrations we experience now.

Note: I do not claim any of these traditions to be my own. I am writing from the lens of a tourist with a deep appreciation for the cultural traditions held here in Mexico.

How to celebrate Dia de los Muertos?

Dia de los Muertos traditions vary depending on each region, and sometimes even between families. These are some of the most common traditions you can expect to see.

• Altars (ofrendas) – Each family creates an altar displaying images and tokens of family members who have passed. The families continue to decorate the altar and provide offerings during the days leading up to the celebration. It’s also common for businesses and public areas to display their own altars.
• Catrinas – The name for the skeleton figure who symbolizes the holiday. Everyone has seen images of brightly decorated skulls and skeletons wearing fancy clothing. These images originated as political satire in reference to the struggling middle class, but time converted these images to symbolize Dia de los Muertos. Las Catrinas are a message meaning: rich or poor, everyone dies. It is Mexican culture to enjoy being alive and to celebrate death. Because without death, we couldn’t experience life.
• Music – Music is everywhere this holiday. The Mexicans are celebrating the life lived by those passed on, and music brings celebrations to life. Bands, mariachis, singers, and guitarists can be heard everywhere during the celebrations.
• Marigolds – Known as the “flower of life,” marigolds hold a special meaning here. You will see them on garland over doorways, scatters among the alters, or worn by women in their hair. They decorate grave stones and symbolize a bright, vivacious life.
• Pan de Muertos – A sweet bread traditionally eaten around this time, Pan de Muertos are baked to honor those who have died. It’s also common to see them given as offerings on family altars.

Each day has a special meaning.

October 31 – Seen as the first night of celebrations. Traditionally it is the day to celebrate deceased ancestors. Also coincides with American Halloween.

November 1 – Honors deceased children and those who have gone too early in life.

November 2 – Honors deceased adults. This is arguably the biggest day of celebration as families tell stories and celebrate the passing of loved ones.

But what about Halloween?

Playa del Carmen is a city heavily influenced by American culture due to the influx of Americans and Canadians who live here.

While we honor Dia de los Muertos, we still dress up for Halloween!

“Dulce-o-Truco” (“Trick-or-Treat”)

A favored tradition by families is dressing up in elaborate Halloween costumes and parading down 5th Avenue in search of candy. Patrons camp out on restaurant patios for the evening enjoying food, drinks, and trick-or-treaters!

If you are dining on 5th Avenue on October 31, you best be prepared with bags of candy for all of the kids who will come up to your table.

So, don your favorite halloween costume, hit up the grocery store (before the candy sells out!) and stop for a drink on 5th Avenue to partake in the fun.

Official 2026 Itinerary

Note: Some events may be subject to weather or last minute logistical changes.

OCTOBER 31 – OPENING NIGHT

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Opening ceremony and lighting of the Grand Janal Pixán Altar. Guided tours of the exhibition “Offering and Memory: Altars of Mexico,” artisan market and food corridor.

Amphitheater Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:30 p.m. Evening shows with dance, music and family performances.

Fifth Avenue – 7:30 p.m. Halloween trick or treating on fifth avenue. Pick a table on a 5th facing patio and enjoy the parade of family costumes! Be prepared with several bags of candy to hand out.

NOVEMBER 1 – ART AND TRADITION

Art Gallery – 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. “Graphic Skulls” workshop and exhibition.

Colosio / Municipal Cemetery – from 6:30 p.m. The U Xiímbal Pixano’ob Parade of Souls begins, followed by the solemn ceremony “Prayer and Serenade for the Faithful Departed.”

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Lighting of the altar, “Mega Catrina” exhibition, artisan and gastronomic fair.

Amphitheater Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Dance, folk and orchestral performances with local artists.

NOVEMBER 2 – THE GRAND PARADE OF SOULS

Art Gallery – 6:00 p.m. “Graphic Skulls” workshop.

Fifth Avenue – 6:30 p.m. Grand Parade U Xiímbal Pixano’ob from Constituyentes Avenue to Plaza 28 de Julio.

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Grand altar, “Offering and Memory” exhibition, food corridor and artisan market.

Amphitheater Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Live music, dance shows, altar contest and artistic closing ceremony.

NOVEMBER 3 – FAMILY AND CULTURAL CLOSING

Playa del Carmen Cultural Center – 10:00 a.m. Activity: “Traditions and Customs of Janal Pixán in Quintana Roo.”

Playa del Carmen Cultural Center – 5:00 p.m. Kids program “Janal Pixán for Children” with a Maya ceremony, artistic presentations, children’s cinema and craft market.

My Perfect “Dia de los Muertos” Weekend in Playa del Carmen:

The weekend of Dia de los Muertos is filled must-do festivities. But my favorite part about it is that most activities begin in the late afternoon.
This means I have all morning do my favorite thing in Playa – diving!

Because, unless you came to Playa exclusively for the Dia de los Muertos celebration, you might want a bit more balance in your vacation weekend.

Here is my weekend itinerary with can’t miss events: The perfect dive trip to Playa del Carmen during Day of the Dead celebrations. Weekend getaway for a mini dive trip and cultural celebration in Mexico.

OCTOBER 31 – MORNING DIVES & OPENING NIGHT

Dive Playa del Carmen Reefs – 8:00 a.m. Start your first morning in paradise with a local reef dive. All dive sites are within 20 minutes by boat, meaning you can do two beautiful morning dives in warm Caribbean waters before noon. This gives you plenty of time for lunch and to freshen up before heading out for the night. Oh, and time to perfect your costume 😉

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Opening ceremony and lighting of the Grand Janal Pixán Altar. In lieu of a proper dinner, I recommend trying as many local dishes from food vendors as possible. The opening ceremony includes insane amounts of food tents surrounding altars and art installations. Take your time eating and walking your way through the Plaza. On the stage there will be music and dance performances all night long, perfect for a rest to snack on some marquesitas or esquites.

Fifth Avenue – 8:30 p.m. Halloween trick or treating on fifth avenue is a tradition brought by Americans but loved by all. After the lighting ceremony, I like to partake in this one night only Halloween celebration. Enjoy some drinks at a table on a 5th facing patio and enjoy the parade of family costumes! Be prepared with several bags of candy to hand out.

NOVEMBER 1 – ART AND TRADITION

Dive Playa del Carmen Reefs – 8:00 a.m. We have no shortage of dive sites right off the shore of Playa del Carmen. I recommend heading south the for your second dive day in Playa to experience some different underwater topography. And, it keeps you close to town giving you lots of time in the afternoon to experience as much art and culture as possible.

Colosio / Municipal Cemetery – 5:00 p.m. It may sound a bit strange to visit a cemetery, but the people transform it for Dia de los Muertos. Families honor the dead with altars (ofrendas), and gifts such as flowers, candles, photos, food, and meaningful tokens from their lives. Walking around the cemetery is accepted practice to appreciate the culture, just stay respectful during your visit. At 6:30 the official ceremony for the “Faithful Departed” begins.

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Today is the actual first day of Dia de los Muertos, where they do the official lighting of the altar, “Mega Catrina.” Art, music, dance, and endless crafts and food stands occupy the Plaza.

NOVEMBER 2 – CAVERN DIVE & THE GRAND PARADE OF SOULS

Dive a Cenote – 8:00 a.m. Since the whole holiday is about honoring the dead, it is only fitting to visit Xibalba, the Underworld according to Mayan tradition. The Mayans believe that cenotes are the entrance to the underworld. As a diver, you have the unique opportunity to fully experience the gateway to the underworld. There are a host of cenote dives that are open air, large caverns, and beginner friendly. Or, if you are more adventurous, there is a cavern dive to suit every diver. This quiz will tell you exactly which is your perfect cenote dive.

Fifth Avenue – 6:30 p.m. Dozens of Las Catrinas gather on Fifth Avenue for the Grand Parade U Xiímbal Pixano’ob from Constituyentes Avenue to Plaza 28 de Julio. If you’re tired of street food by now, pick a restaurant on the parade route and watch the colorful traditional skirts and skeleton makeup parade past as you are dining out. The parade ends back at Plaza 28 de Julio for the closing ceremony.

Plaza 28 de Julio – 7:00 p.m. Grand altar, “Offering and Memory” exhibition, food corridor and artisan market. & closing ceremony.

SUMMARY

Dia de los Muertos is a very important celebration in Mexican culture. Respecting tradition is a prerequisite to visiting Mexico during this time.

And when you visit, be prepared to be swept up in the celebrations!

Halloween weekend is a perfect time to plan a dive trip to Playa del Carmen. All of the celebrations being held in the evenings allows for a perfect balance of diving, cultural experiences, and relaxation for a long holiday weekend.

During your visit, be sure to dress up for Halloween trick-or-treating! Expect to eat way too much street food and experience an abundance of dancing, music, and art. A visit to the cemetery will remind you to celebrate every day, and that your loved ones are never far from you.

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