Día de los Muertos — A Celebration of Life and Death

Mexico City | October 31 – November 2, 2026

One of the most compelling reasons for visiting Mexico City at this time of year was the opportunity to experience Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

Although the name might sound sombre, the celebrations were anything but.

Throughout Mexico City, we encountered elaborate decorations, enormous skeletons, beautiful displays of marigolds and colourful altars honouring family members who had passed away.

Centro Histórico

The historic centre was particularly impressive. The Zócalo had been transformed with spectacular displays, including an enormous figure that dominated the square.

Everywhere we looked, there were opportunities for photos. The colours, flowers and intricate decorations were incredible.

We returned to the Zócalo during our final evening in Mexico City for one last opportunity to soak up the atmosphere.

Coyoacán

Another highlight was our visit to Coyoacán, where the Day of the Dead festival brought a completely different energy to the celebrations.

We wandered through the neighbourhood, exploring the festival atmosphere, street vendors, decorations and local activity. The combination of beautiful streets, traditional celebrations and enthusiastic crowds made this one of the most memorable neighbourhoods we visited.

We also stopped outside the famous Frida Kahlo Museum, known as Casa Azul.

A More Reflective Side

Our Day of the Dead explorations also included San Fernando Cemetery, which offered an opportunity to appreciate the more personal and reflective traditions associated with this important celebration.

What struck us most was how the occasion combines remembrance with celebration. Rather than being solely about mourning, Día de los Muertos is also about maintaining a connection with loved ones, sharing memories and celebrating the lives they lived.

And after experiencing the celebrations in Mexico City, we had a much greater appreciation for the significance of the marigolds, altars and traditions we saw everywhere.