Puerto Vallarta is preparing to join 10 other Jalisco destinations for the second annual Festival de las Ánimas, a statewide celebration of Día de Muertos that will bring nearly 350 free cultural, artistic and traditional activities to communities across the state this fall.
While the statewide program runs from October 24 through November 15, Puerto Vallarta’s main festivities will take place over three days, from October 31 through November 2.
Rather than replacing Puerto Vallarta’s long-standing Día de Muertos traditions, the state initiative brings the city’s local celebrations into a larger statewide program. Titled La Orilla de las Ánimas (The Shore of the Souls), Puerto Vallarta’s program draws on the Pacific Ocean, the area’s fishing heritage and the Historic Center.
Activities will extend across several locations, including the Malecón, the Historic Center, Los Arcos, Isla del Cuale, Casa de la Cultura and Los Muertos Pier.
While state authorities have announced 28 experiences for Puerto Vallarta, the official tourism website currently highlights eight features planned for this year’s celebration:
• La Guardiana del Océano: A monumental Catrina inspired by the Pacific Ocean, incorporating waves, whales, manta rays and bougainvillea.
• Las Pangas de Luz: Traditional fishing boats (pangas) decorated with cempasúchil flowers and nighttime lighting, honoring the area’s fishing heritage.
• La Hora Dorada de las Ánimas: A sunset candle-lighting experience marking the transition from daylight to evening along the waterfront.
• El Último Umbral & Faro de las Ánimas: A floral and illuminated installation at the Los Muertos Pier, leading toward a feature called the Faro de las Ánimas.
• Voces desde el Balcón: Short musical performances, lasting approximately five to 10 minutes, presented from balconies throughout the Historic Center.
• El Jardín de los Susurros: An immersive setting on Isla del Cuale combining candles, copal incense, shadows and local legends.
• La Marea de las Ánimas: A grand parade featuring Catrines and Catrinas inspired by Puerto Vallarta’s history, organized around five thematic “universes.”
• The Malecón Corridor: The waterfront and surrounding streets will feature ofrendas, sculptures, music and cempasúchil displays throughout the celebration.
The Festival de las Ánimas brings together Día de Muertos celebrations across Jalisco while allowing each destination to highlight its own history and traditions. In Puerto Vallarta, the program connects familiar elements of the holiday with the city’s maritime heritage, adding to the local celebrations that residents and visitors have enjoyed for years.
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