El Día de los Muertos 2026: The Definitive Guide
Day of the Dead: An In-Depth Look at the History and Traditions of El Día de los Muertos
What is El Día de los Muertos?
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.
When Did the Day of the Dead Start?
You'd be surprised to learn that the origin of the Day of the Dead is a bit of a mystery, rooted in a blend of both Catholic and pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican pagan beliefs. Indigenous communities once crafted human-shaped figures from amaranth dough, decorating them with prickly pear juice to symbolize blood and represent those who had crossed over into Mictlan, the Aztec underworld.
Now, that's what we're told — but I'm of the belief they used real blood. Why? Because when the Conquistadors arrived, they were horrified by these pagan blood rituals practiced by the native peoples of Tenochtitlán, the Aztec capital — now Mexico City. And in their effort to assimilate these practices into Catholicism, the Conquistadors strategically aligned this pagan festival — originally celebrated in August — with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day at the beginning of November.
The Catholic History and Origins of Day of the Dead
The practice of praying for the deceased has been part of Christian customs since the second century, when it was common to visit the tombs of Christian martyrs. By the fifth century, the Church designated a specific day each year to pray for all the forgotten souls of the dead. This tradition evolved over time, and in the ninth century, monasteries began dedicating a day of prayer for their deceased.
By A.D. 732, Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica to all the saints, establishing what would become All Saints' Day. Later, in A.D. 998, Abbot Odilo of Cluny — a Benedictine monastery in France — formally established All Souls' Day on November 2nd as a time to honor and remember the departed souls. The influence of Catholicism on El Día de los Muertos is evident in the fusion of pre-Hispanic beliefs with Catholic rituals. Over time, these ancient indigenous practices and Catholic customs intertwined, creating a unique cultural celebration that honors the deceased while embracing the idea of life beyond death.
The Birth of El Día de los Muertos in the New World
In ancient Mexico, a month-long festival dedicated to Mictlantecuhtli, the Lord of the Land of the Dead, was celebrated each August, the ninth month of the Aztec calendar. This festival included early versions of pan de muerto, a special bread now associated with the Day of the Dead. However, after the conquest of the New World, this celebration became intertwined with the Allhallowtide, a three-day Christian observance consisting of All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day, and All Souls' Day, observed from October 31st to November 2nd.
All Saints' Day — falling on November 1st, the day after Halloween, is a significant feast day in Christianity. It honors all the saints and martyrs, known and unknown, throughout Christian history. This day shares similarities with the Celtic holiday of Samhain and the Roman festival of Lemuria.
All Souls' Day — observed on November 2nd, is known as the Day of the Faithful Departed. It is a day of prayer during which people ask God to welcome the souls of the deceased as they begin their final journey to eternal life. Many attend Mass and visit the graves of loved ones on this day.
In 1915, amid the devastation of World War I, Pope Benedict XV granted all priests the privilege of celebrating three Masses on All Souls' Day — a custom previously reserved for Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Over time, All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day have often merged in practice and are celebrated together as part of El Día de los Muertos. This unique cultural fusion combines ancient indigenous traditions with Catholic rituals, creating a vibrant and meaningful celebration to honor and remember the departed.
El Día de los Muertos Traditions and How to Celebrate Day of the Dead
In 2008, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Mexico's Indigenous Feast Dedicated to the Dead, known as El Día de los Muertos, as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. However, like many traditions in Mexico, the celebration was primarily observed in rural Indigenous communities, only gradually gaining mainstream attention in the 1980s, with the first major public celebration taking place in 1999 in the Zócalo, the historic center of Mexico City. Surprisingly, the now world-famous Día de los Muertos parade in Mexico City didn't start until 2016, after the movie Spectre featured a fictional version of the event — with Coco giving the holiday even more mainstream attention a year later.
That said, celebrating El Día de los Muertos is deeply personal, and each region in Mexico has its own unique customs and traditions. So really, there is no single way to observe the holiday — and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. However, there are certain elements that are essential to an El Día de los Muertos celebration, which include the construction of altars, the presence of pan de muerto, the use of cempasúchil (marigold flowers), traditional skull face makeup, and the enjoyment of calaveritas (skull-shaped candies).
The families who choose to celebrate — and how they celebrate — vary widely depending on where people live and what they believe, whether through the lens of Catholicism or a belief in the supernatural. For the average tourist visiting Mexico during the Day of the Dead season, the public parades known as comparsas and the public altars displayed in major cities are often the most visible aspects of the celebration. However, locals tend to celebrate in a more traditional manner, following customs deeply rooted in the Catholic faith.
According to these beliefs, the period between All Hallows' Eve and All Souls' Day is significant because it is believed that the veil between our world and the netherworld is at its thinnest, allowing the souls of the deceased to move freely between realms. During this time, families gather in their homes to build personal altars adorned with photographs, candles, marigold flowers, and cherished belongings of their departed loved ones. Prayers, reminiscences, and offerings of food and drink are made to honor and remember those who have passed away. It is a time of reflection, celebration, and profound connection with the spirits of the dearly departed.
Day of the Dead Traditions: The Five Nights Leading Up to Día de los Muertos
Rooted in both Catholic and pre-Hispanic beliefs, the days leading up to El Día de los Muertos hold deep spiritual meaning across Mexico. According to tradition, the preparation of the altar for deceased loved ones begins on October 28th. Each night leading up to November 2nd is believed to welcome specific souls who have crossed over into the world of the living.
October 28th — On this night, the souls who perished in violent acts or suffered tragic deaths are said to walk among us. To welcome these souls, the first candle of the altar is lit, and a white flower is placed to guide them toward eternal peace.
October 29th — The second night of the celebration involves lighting a new candle and placing it on a base of water. This gesture is believed to help defenseless and forgotten souls find their way to peace and reunite with their loved ones.
October 30th — A new candle is lit with fresh water at the base of the altar, accompanied by bread symbolizing nourishment for the souls who died of hunger.
October 31st — On this night, a new candle is lit along with a glass of fresh water, and additional bread and fruit are placed on the altar. It is believed that on this day, the souls of great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, and great aunts and uncles join the living.
November 1st — This day is known as Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints' Day). More food is added to the altar to welcome the souls of children, those who passed at birth or in the womb, as well as souls of exemplary integrity. Some also refer to this day as Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels).
November 2nd — Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, All Souls' Day). Before dawn, the ringing of bells from local churches signals the arrival of all souls. Local cemeteries hold celebrations, with vendors and families adorning graves with marigold flowers, alcohol, and food. Families gather to mourn, laugh, and enjoy food, Mezcal, and music — either at home or during cemetery picnics.
Additionally, local cemeteries may have their own unique customs, such as hosting La Noche de Vela (Candlelight Vigil) on October 31st instead of November 2nd — as is the case in Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca (my hometown), where it has become the crown jewel of El Día de los Muertos celebrations in Oaxaca. Lastly, it's important to note that while these five nights are traditionally observed, the Day of the Dead season allows for personal variations in celebration. As such, these nights should be seen more as guidelines rather than strict rules if you choose to celebrate the holiday.
The Real Meaning of El Día de los Muertos
When you strip away all the iconic symbols, parades, and public altar displays, the true heart of El Día de los Muertos is simple: it's about remembering loved ones who have passed away and being grateful for those who are still with us. That's it — plain and simple. So don't let anyone tell you otherwise. This act of remembrance transcends all cultures and religions because this holiday is meant to be deeply personal, allowing you to choose how you honor those in your life who have crossed over — whether it's through an elaborate shrine or by simply sifting through an old box of pictures.
And if you want to wear skull (Catrina) makeup, go for it. No one owns this holiday. So yes, even if you're not Mexican, no one has the right to tell you that you cannot participate. How you choose to honor this holiday is up to you — whether at home, in Mexico, or at a special event in Los Angeles. How you celebrate, how you remember, is entirely up to you. El Día de los Muertos — Day of the Dead — is a simple reminder that our loved ones are never truly gone, so long as we carry their memory in our hearts and actions. It's a time to remind ourselves to cherish those who are still with us, because one day, they too will become part of the stories we carry forward.
el camino a casa nunca se olvida
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