The best places to celebrate Day of the Dead

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Emily Buckley.

The end of October and early November see ghoulish happenings all over the world. Many are familiar with Halloween, when children dress up as witches, ghosts and other scary figures and go trick or treating, houses are decorated and pumpkins are carved, but Mexico observes a more traditional festival. El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and is a national holiday. Like Halloween, it originates from pre-Christian traditions that have been incorporated into Christianity, hence it being observed on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

Day of the Dead honours the memory of the dead, with the idea that during these two days deceased loved ones return to the world of the living to be with their families. It is celebrated throughout Mexico but different regions observe different rituals and some are more colourful than others. Below are four of the best destinations in which to witness this unique holiday.

Pátzcuaro, Michoacán

Five hours from Mexico City, this small town on Lake Patzcuaro is one of the top places to witness this curious festival. Local fishermen row out in their boats to light candles across the lake and the cemetery’s bell rings out throughout the night, inviting the spirits to return. The people of the town spend all night by their loved ones’ graves, waiting for them to return to them.

Mixquic, Tláhuac

Although Mixquic is gradually becoming geographically part of mexico City due to urban sprawl, it retains the feel of a rural village and has strong indigenous roots, thus its traditions are also still strong. A procession through town is led by a coffin containing a white skeleton and, after cleaning and decorating the graves, the residents observe an all-night candlelight vigil in the cemetery. Mixquic’s proximity to the capital makes it an ideal destination in which to witness Day of the Dead.

Oaxaca City, Oaxaca

Decorating the alters of loved ones is a serious business in Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead – a competition is held to judge the best offerings and sand paintings, many of which are truly works of art. Beautiful ‘paths’ of cempasuchil petals are laid in front of the altars, with the belief that these help the dead find their way back to the living world and to their families. The markets are also well worth a visit, full of colourful items to lay on the altars and special foods such as tamales, chocolate and decorated ‘yolk bread’ which are left as offerings and given to visitors in return for candles.

Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

This historic city in central Mexico celebrates the Day of the Dead with the week-long Festival de las Calaveras, or Festival of the Skulls, which includes parades, street theatre, cook-offs, costume contests and a host of cultural activities. Be sure to visit the Museo Nacional de la Muerte while you’re there – it is the country’s only museum dedicated to death.

Emily Buckley frequently writes for HotelClub, a specialist website that provides deals on accommodation across the globe, including Mexico City hotels.

Photo credit: via flickr

Tagged as: holidays