Your Ultimate Guide to Celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that has captured the imagination of people around the world. This multi-day celebration honors loved ones who have passed away and is a time to remember and celebrate their lives. From visiting the Gran Ofrenda at the Zócalo to experiencing the festivities at Coyoacán and the Avenida Reforma, there are many ways to immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City. And of course, no visit to Mexico City during Dia de los Muertos would be complete without experiencing the Great Day of the Dead Parade. In this blog post, we will explore the top things to do during Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City and how you can fully embrace this unique and vibrant holiday.
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico in late October or early November, don’t miss the “Día de los Muertos” celebrations.
TABLE OF CONTENT
The Día de los Muertos is a celebration that honors the return of the dead from beyond. One of the key traditions involves building “ofrendas” (altars) adorned with flowers, candles, food, and a photo of the deceased. These altars come in two forms: small, individual ones built in households, and large public ones that can be used by anyone.
Sugar Skulls
The skull is a central symbol of the Día de los Muertos, but it is made less scary through colorful decorations. Sugar skulls are often handcrafted and produced specifically for the holiday.
Pan de Muerto
In Mexico, there is a special dish for every major festival. For Independence Day, it’s the “Chile en Nogada,” for “Dia de los Reyes Magos,” it’s the Rosca de Reyes, and for the Día de los Muertos, it’s the Pan de Muerto. This sweet, fried bread is coated in sugar and sometimes filled with a sweet custard.
Las Catrinas
These elegantly dressed skeletons have become a festive symbol of the Día de los Muertos. During the festivities, you can find Las Catrinas in public spaces, souvenir stores, cafes, and many other places. This satirical symbol represents pride in Mexican and indigenous culture. Nowadays, Las Catrinas are also one of the most popular symbols of the Día de los Muertos outside of Mexico.
For Día de los Muertos, you will find many vendors selling decorations, accessories, and offering services to paint beautiful Catrina makeup on your face. You can usually choose between having half of your face or the whole face painted. We got our makeup done in the morning in Coyoacán, and it lasted the entire day. However, remember to bring a good makeup cleanser to remove it in the evening. Prices vary but are typically between 15 and 20 euros.
Alebrijes
These brightly colored Mexican sculptures depict mythical or fantastical creatures and gained special recognition thanks to the Disney movie “Coco.” In the film, we see different kinds of alebrijes, such as Dante the Dog and Pepita the feathered Dragon. Alebrijes are believed to be guides to lost souls in the Land of the Dead and protect their “owners.” During the Día de los Muertos festivities, you can find many stalls and shops selling all kinds of alebrijes.
Cempasuchil
Cempasuchil, also known as Marigold in English, is the flower used to decorate ofrendas. The typical colors used are orange or purple. The orange marigolds are said to help lost souls find their way back home to their families. This is why they are often sprinkled all over the ground to create a path for the deceased.
Papel Picado
Papel Picado is a traditional Mexican handicraft made of colorful paper cuttings used to create garlands. Most of the garlands are still handmade. They are used to decorate ofrendas, houses, and other buildings such as churches.
Ofrendas
Mexican altars set up for the Día de los Muertos in households and public spaces. The central piece is a photo of the deceased loved one, and the ofrenda is decorated with marigold flowers, candles, sugar skulls, and colorful papel picado. In addition to decoration, the favorite food and drinks of the deceased person are placed on the ofrenda.
One of the biggest ofrendas we have seen is located at the Senate Building on Avenida Reforma.
If you’re planning to visit Mexico City during the Day of the Dead festivities, there are many unique and fascinating experiences to enjoy. From colorful parades to solemn grave visits, the traditions of this holiday offer a window into Mexican culture and beliefs about life, death, and remembrance.
In the following sections, we’ll explore some of the top activities to do during Dia de los Muertos in Mexico City, including visiting the Gran Ofrenda at the Zócalo, strolling through the Diá de los Muertos celebrations at Coyoacán, exploring the Avenida Reforma with its food stalls and lively atmosphere, and joining the crowds for the Great Day of the Dead Parade.
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a curious first-time visitor, these experiences will deepen your appreciation for this rich and vibrant holiday.
Visit the Gran Ofrenda at the Zócalo, Mexico City
The festivities in Mexico City start one week before the actual Día de los Muertos. Ofrendas, Catrinas, Calaveras, and Alebrijes are set up all over the city center, and the Zócalo is decorated festively.
In 2022, huge Catrinas were set up at the Zócalo, and there were many ofrendas – one from each state in Mexico.
In addition, the surrounding buildings are also decorated festively, similar to how they are decorated for the Independence Day in September.
Diá de los Muertos at Coyoacán, Mexico City
I would recommend spending the actual Diá de los Muertos in a “smaller” neighborhood of Mexico City, such as Coyoacán. Coyoacán is located in the south of Mexico City and is known as a hipster neighborhood with many trendy restaurants, cafes, and museums, such as the Frida Kahlo Museum.
Start your Diá de los Muertos celebrations with a nourishing breakfast at the Coyoacán Market. Here you will find many options, and the food you can get here is some of the most delicious and authentic. The market itself is also worth seeing. The corridors are narrow, and the stalls offer Diá de los Muertos decorations,
costumes, and all kinds of trinkets. Markets are usually one of the most colorful and bustling places to visit, and for the Diá de los Muertos, it’s even more lively.
On the Day of the Dead, the central plaza and Plaza Jardin Hidalgo are festively decorated and offer food and souvenir stalls, carousels, and people offering Day of the Dead make-up. The narrow streets are bustling with activity, and you can easily spend an entire day exploring all the stalls, soaking in the atmosphere, and discovering the small details. Take your time and enjoy the day wandering around, immersing yourself in the experience. On the northern side of the plaza, you’ll find the local government building. Like many public buildings, an ofrenda is set up here and the building is festively decorated with flowers and papel picado.
Visit a graveyard for the Diá de los Muerto
“This might sound a little bit weird, and you might be asking yourself, ‘is this really okay?’ The answer is ‘yes’, it is okay. Graveyards are the central gathering place during the Diá de los Muertos, where families come together around the graves of their beloved ones to celebrate them. They bring the favorite foods, drinks, and music of the deceased, and sometimes even a whole Mariachi Band. Be respectful when visiting the graveyard, and everyone will be fine with it. Soak in this very special atmosphere, which is a mixture of gratitude and celebration.
Diá de los Muertos celebrations at the Avenida Reforma, Mexico City
If you happen to be in Mexico City during the Día de los Muertos, you must visit Avenida Reforma at least one evening. You will find many street food and handicraft stalls lined up between the “Ángel de la Independencia” and the “Monument to Cuauhtémoc”. The whole sidewalk is packed with people enjoying the festive atmosphere, dressed up and celebrating the Day of the Dead. Cars go crazy with their Day of the Dead decorations, making it pure fun to see and experience these celebrations and the lively atmosphere on Avenida Reforma.
Great Day of the Dead Parade
One of the major events during the Diá de los Muertos festivities in Mexico City is the Great Day of the Dead Parade – or as it is called in Spanish: El Gran Desfile de Diá de los Muertos. The parade starts at Zocalo and heads down Avenida de Reforma. During the parade, many traditional Day of the Dead symbols are displayed, such as skeletons, ofrendas, alebrijes, and catrinas, accompanied by traditional dances and music. The parade is a significant event and attracts millions of visitors to the city each year.
Fun fact about the Diá de los Muertos parade: It only began in 2016, after being featured in the James Bond movie “Spectre” (2015). Of course, the Mexicans never miss a good opportunity to celebrate, so they thought, “Why not?”
Diá de los Muertos schedule in Mexico City (2022): Here is the Diá de los Muertos schedule for Mexico City in 2022, which can be used as a guideline for future planning as well:
22nd of October 2022: Alebrijes Parade
Start: 12:00 PM Location: Zocalo Mexico City
23rd of October 2022: Catrinas Parade
Start: 12:00 PM Location: Zocalo Mexico City
29th of October 2022: Grand day of the dead Mexico City Parade (El Gran Desfile de Diá de los Muertos)
Start: 12:00 PM Location: Zocalo Mexico City -> Avenida Reforma
1st and 2nd of November 2022: Mega ofrenda by UNAM
Time: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Location: Plaza de Santo Doming
Passionate traveler. 
Coffee addict. 
Swiftie.
Currently on a six-month journey around the world. 
Australia 
