Puerto Vallarta has transformed into a kaleidoscope of color and tradition as the city prepares to honor the dead during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1st and 2nd. Deeply rooted in a blend of pre-Hispanic customs and Catholic traditions, the town comes alive with rich aromas, glowing candlelight, and deeply personal tributes to loved ones who have passed on.
In the heart of El Centro, the corridors of the Municipal Palace have already begun changing as local groups set up a total of 25 distinct altars and ofrendas. Early Tuesday morning, civil and governmental organizations, along with higher educational institutions started crafting their intricate displays.
These ofrendas serve as a bridge between the living and the dead, creating a space for spirits to return and share a moment with their families. Each altar is built with intentional structure and symbolism, ranging from 2 to 7 levels that represent the soul’s journey toward peaceful rest.
A petate mat sits at the base, while traditional elements work together to guide and comfort returning spirits. Yellow cempasúchiles (Mexican marigolds), sweet pan de muerto (sweet bread), calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls), and colorful papel picado (cut paper decorations) line the tiers alongside candles, copal incense, salt, and water. Families and organizations display photos of the deceased and serve their favorite meals – such as rich mole, warm tamales, or candied pumpkin – along with a splash of liquor to recall the joy of their lifetimes.
This week’s events are part of the third annual Festival de las Ánimas, themed Recuérdame (“Remember Me”) and organized by the City Council.
Official festivities launch on Friday, October 30th at 6:00 pm with an opening ceremony and a guided tour through the Municipal Palace altars. As evening falls, a jazz trio will take the stage at the Plaza de Armas, leading into a vivid video mapping projection designed for Día de Muertos.
Celebrations extend throughout the weekend, offering visitors and locals a rich tapestry of cultural experiences across multiple venues. On Sunday, November 1st, the Municipal Band will play in the Plaza de Armas at 6:00 pm, setting the rhythm for traditional danzón dancing around the bandstand that will keep the plaza filled with music from the past until 10:30 pm.
The holiday reaches its grand climax on Monday, November 2nd, with La Marea de las Ánimas (the Grand Day of the Dead Parade). Gathering begins at 5:30 pm outside the 5 de Diciembre Municipal Cemetery, with the procession stepping off at 6:00 pm. Catrinas in detailed makeup, energetic dance troupes, live musicians, and traditional cultural displays fill the city streets as the parade winds toward the Los Muertos Beach Pier, concluding around 8:00 pm.
Rather than winding down, however, the evening’s energy continues to flow through the neighborhood as families and visitors linger along the beach, the Malecón and nearby venues to share food, music, and memories late into the night.
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