Day of the Dead 2025: A Definitive Guide

An In-Depth Look Exploring the Meaning and Symbols of Día de los Muertos

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What is Day of the Dead?

The Origin of Day of the Dead

How Do You Celebrate Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead Altar and How to Build One

Bread of the Dead: History and Regional Varieties

Flower of the Dead: The Cempazúchitl Legend

Candlelight Vigil in Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca

Day of the Dead Parades in Oaxaca

Central de Abastos de Oaxaca

The Real Meaning

prelude….

You don't need me to tell you that over the last several years Halloween has felt less like, well, Halloween. Could be because we no longer collectively celebrate Halloween anymore? As in, since we no longer watch "regular" TV, Halloween specials of our favorite shows are a thing of the past. Or could it be because Halloween-themed events have been monopolized by theme parks? Or can we blame capitalism relentlessly rushing Halloween, with merchandise hitting store shelves in mid-summer, only to be replaced by Christmas decorations before October even starts? But whatever the reason may be, there's no denying that Halloween, no matter how much the shills on social media push it, just doesn't feel like Halloween anymore.

But not in Mexico — specifically, in my hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico. Because here, the spirit of the Halloween season is alive and well, though celebrated under a different name: El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. And while many credit the holiday's rise to mainstream recognition to movies like Coco or the opening scene of Spectre, I believe the holiday has become increasingly familiar to Americans over the past decade thanks to local events popping up on college campuses and in cities across these United States. Not to mention the growing interest in Krampus events as well, which, though technically a Christmas tradition with European roots, share a similarly macabre charm.

Now, for those unfamiliar with Day of the Dead customs, the sight of vibrant celebrations for the deceased might seem strange, even morbid at first. After all, this tradition has roots in ancient Aztec rituals that feel extreme by today's standards. However, initial skepticism fades away upon experiencing Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead season, which spans from mid-October to early November. This extended celebration is typical throughout all of Mexico, where most holidays are often observed weeks before and after rather than just a single day.

And in Oaxaca and across Mexico, you'll see how death is honored as a welcome guest, celebrated through vibrant parades, candlelight vigils in local cemeteries, storefronts adorned with bright marigold flowers, and grand altars in hotel lobbies. Best of all? Most of the events are free, making Day of the Dead in Mexico a one-of-a-kind experience that anyone can appreciate and participate in, regardless of cultural background. After all, death will eventually come for us all.

What is Day of the Dead?

You'd be forgiven for thinking that Day of the Dead is Mexican Halloween with different iconography. And while both holidays share some similarities, at its core, El Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a national holiday in Mexico observed each year on November 2nd. It's a tradition where families build elaborate altars adorned with marigold flowers, bread, chocolate, food, and Mezcal to honor and remember their departed loved ones, with the season coming alive through daily comparsas — lively, costume-themed parades leading up to the holiday.

Day of the Dead is deeply rooted in both ancient and modern Mexican culture, and over the years, families have created their own versions of the celebration, with some decorating gravesites as elaborately as the altars back home. However, the actual holiday on November 2nd is relatively quiet across Mexico, as the day is meant for private reflection at home with family, and many businesses close in observance.

As a result, the vibrant celebrations and events associated with the holiday take place in the two weeks leading up to November 2nd, making the Day of the Dead season synonymous with the cultural identity of Mexico — specifically both in Oaxaca and Michoacán — throughout the second half of October. And while the heart of the holiday is centered on building an altar for passed loved ones and visiting their respective gravesites, there is no single or correct way to celebrate Day of the Dead, as everyone who observes it does so in their own way.

Unfortunately, the woke liberals no different from the puritans of the past, seem to have a strong opinion on who's allowed to celebrate or how it should look. But see, Day of the Dead has always been about intention — not approval. For some, it's a celebration of life. For others, it's a time to be thankful for the abundance God has given us. And for me, the Day of the Dead season is a time spent with my Grandmother in Oaxaca, taking daily trips to outdoor markets to gather elements for her altar and countless ingredients for the black mole she makes — a two day labor-intensive process. But it doesn't matter how you choose to celebrate, or whether you celebrate at all, because Day of the Dead is one of, if not the most, universal holidays there is — a time to remember those who are no longer with us.

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