Celebrating Day of the Dead in Puebla 2024 – 13 Things to Do

While most travelers flock to Mexico City or Oaxaca for the famous Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) celebrations in November, Puebla tends to slip under the radar. But after having lived in Puebla and nearby Cholula for over 2 years, trust me when I say – this city is totally worth checking out for this special holiday.

Especially if you’re running late with your plans or if you just want a more chill experience without the massive crowds, Puebla is the perfect middle ground. You’ll still get all the festive vibes with parades, costumes, art exhibits, public altars, and stunning sculptures – just with a little more breathing room.

Be aware that while the actual Day of the Dead is on November 1 and 2, the festivities start already a week or more before! So plan accordingly, as there is plenty to see and do.

Puebla doesn’t release the full schedule of events until late September or October, but if you plan around November 1 and 2 (and maybe a few days before), you’ll catch all the key festivities. Let’s get started and see what you can look forward to this Día de Muertos in Puebla!

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At a Glance: 13 Things to Do on the Day of the Dead in Puebla

1. Admire the Public Altars of Remembrance (Ofrendas)
2. Get Spooked at the Sinister March
3. Watch the Catrina Parade and More Festivities
4. Marvel at the Beautiful Costumes
5. Eat Pan de Muerto and Sugar Skulls
6. Admire the Street Art and Decorations
7. Visit the Municipal Pantheon
8. Take a Half-Day Trip to the Valle de Catrinas in Atlixco
9. Create your Own Altar (Ofrenda) at Home
10. Enjoy Free Access at the Night of the Museums
11. Celebrate the Light and Life Festival in Chignahuapan
12. Celebrate Day of the Dead with Mexican Families in the Village of Huaquechula
13. Watch “Coco” to Get in the Spirit

Note: For more information about the Day of the Dead in general, refer to Understanding the Day of the Dead.

1. Admire the Public Altars of Remembrance (Ofrendas)

Altars, or ofrendas in Spanish, are a central element of the Day of the Dead celebrations, honoring loved ones who have passed. These altars are like bridges, guiding spirits back to the world of the living for a brief visit. You’ll spot photos, sugar skulls, and other typical offerings that hold deep significance.

While most families create private altars at home, Puebla sets up stunning public ofrendas all around the city – in restaurants, streets, and other public spaces. Every year, the city of Puebla publishes a map of these altars, so make sure to check out the Corredor Metropolitano de Ofrendas on Puebla’s website at https://pueblacapital.gob.mx/ in October. The altars are usually displayed a week before and after Día de Muertos.

2. Get Spooked at the Sinister March

One of my absolute favorite events in Puebla is the Sinister March (Marcha Siniestra). Think of it as a Halloween-style parade but with a Mexican twist to it and – of course – celebrated with the whole family. People dress up as their favorite horror characters, from movie monsters to creepy legends, and take to the streets for one of the coolest parades you’ll ever see. It’s spooky, but also super fun, especially with all the kids getting into character. I love to just walk amidst the crowds admiring people’s costumes the 2 hours before the actual parade starts to march along.

If you want to join dressed up, leave the sexy devil’s costume at home and choose something more appropriate as this is more of a family event.

The parade usually takes place the Saturday before November 1/2.

3. Watch the Catrina Parade and More Festivities

Leading up to Día de Muertos, Puebla is packed with events – concerts, movie screenings, dance performances, and more. But what really stands out are the parades. You can’t miss the Parade of the Catrinas (Desfile de Catrinas), featuring elegantly dressed skeletons marching through the streets. You’ll find all the event details posted on signboards around the Zócalo or at the local tourist office.

You can find an overview of all offerings on signboards on the Zócalo (main square) in the city center, or ask at the local tourist office.

4. Marvel at the Beautiful Costumes

One of the best parts of being in Puebla during the Day of the Dead season is just wandering the streets and soaking in the sights. The city center is full of people in vibrant costumes, especially in the afternoons and evenings. In 2022, there was even a Catrina competition at Plaza de la Democracia, where couples showed off their amazing outfits for everyone to photograph.

5. Eat Pan de Muerto and Sugar Skulls

Two iconic treats represent the Day of the Dead celebrations: Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead) and sugar skulls (calaveritas de azúcar). Pan de Muerto is a sweet, soft bread shaped to look like a skull with crossed “bones” on top, meant to represent the embrace of the departed. It’s usually of a slight orange color to resemble the orange color of the marigold flowers (cempasúchil).

Sugar skulls are small edible skulls made of sugar, often decorated with colorful patterns and with the name of the deceased written onto the forehead. They are often placed on altars to commemorate the departed. Both of these have deep cultural roots, dating back to pre-Hispanic times, and they’re delicious, too.

By eating these treats, one symbolically connects with their departed family members.

You can buy these treats in the Calle de los Dulces in Puebla north of the zócalo.

6. Admire the Street Art and Decorations

As the Day of the Dead approaches, houses, restaurants, and streets get decked out with colorful and creative decorations. Keep an eye out for art exhibits, especially around the Zócalo and along 16 de Septiembre Street. In recent years, the “Me lleva la huesuda” project displayed colorful skull sculptures (calavera) created by local artists on the zócalo.

7. Visit the Municipal Pantheon

For a more reflective experience, head to the municipal pantheon (Panteon Municipal), where graves are beautifully decorated for the Day of the Dead. If you’re hesitant to go as you don’t want to intrude, join the Recorrido de Leyendas (Legends Tour) that Puebla offers. The tour is in Spanish, but if you’re lucky, you might find an English-speaking guide.

Opening hours: 8 AM – 6 PM during the Day of the Dead.

8. Take a Half-Day Trip to the Valle de Catrinas in Atlixco

Just 40 minutes from Puebla lies Atlixco, famous for its flower nurseries and, during Día de Muertos, the Valle de Catrinas. Monumental catrina figures (elegantly dressed skeletons made of paper maché) are placed around town, and some in the surrounding fields of cempasúchil flowers (Marigold), the iconic flower of the Day of the Dead. The Valle de Catrinas usually takes place from mid-October until November 5.

9. Create your Own Altar (Ofrenda) at Home

Whether at your home or staying in Mexico: Why not set up a small ofrenda for your deceased family members? It’s a beautiful way to connect with your memories of them. Put up a photo of the ones you want to commemorate in a corner and decorate it with some marigold flowers (it can also be paper flowers or pictures of flowers), a sugar skull, and things that they loved to eat or drink.

10. Enjoy Free Access at the Night of the Museums

One evening, Puebla grants free access to several museums. It’s a great chance to explore Mexican culture and history. Ask at the local tourist office which museums participate. Some museums offer special activities or exhibitions for the Day of the Dead.

If you can’t make it, don’t worry: Most museums have free entrance on Sundays throughout the year.

11. Celebrate the Light and Life Festival in Chignahuapan

A 2.5-hour drive from Puebla, the Magical Town of Chignahuapan celebrates the Day of the Dead with the Light and Life Festival (Festival de la Luz y la Vida) on the lagoon of this town. The festival begins in the evening with a pilgrimage from the Santiago Apostol Parish Church at the main square along the Calzada de las Almas street, to Lake Chignahuapan and the theater next to it. Over a thousand torches are handed out making this pilgrimage a very special spectacle.

And while you’re in Chignahuapan, celebrate the National Christmas Tree and Ornamental Sphere Fair that takes place from the last weekend of October to the first weekend of November.

12. Celebrate the Day of the Dead with Mexican Families in the Village of Huaquechula

If you’re looking for a more intimate and local Day of the Dead experience, head to the village of Huaquechula. In this village, locals invite strangers into their homes to view their altars, eat and drink, and tell heartfelt stories about their deceased loved ones. It’s a beautiful and unique way to connect with Mexican families and immerse yourself in the true spirit of the holiday.

Before heading out, grab a neighborhood map – usually made available by the festival organizers – so you know which homes are open to the public. Bringing a candle as a gesture of thanks and respect is a common practice. While you don’t need to speak perfect Spanish, it definitely helps to know a little to communicate with locals and fully appreciate their stories.

The altars in Huaquechula are particularly special, often built as pyramid-like structures with 3-4 levels, making them even more impressive and unique.

It’s advised to speak some Spanish to be able to communicate with the locals.

13. Watch “Coco” to Get in the Spirit

In your preparation for the Day of the Dead, you can watch the movie “Coco” to better understand the tradition. This animated Disney-Pixar film from 2017 gives you a glimpse into the meaning behind this special day. It’s perfect for getting in the right mood for your visit. You can find it on most streaming platforms and on DVD.

So…Should You Go?

If you’re looking to experience the Day of the Dead with all its beauty, tradition, and culture, Puebla offers the perfect balance – rich in history, yet less crowded than some of the more famous cities. Enjoy the parades, altars, costumes, sculptures, and all the other activities Puebla offers during this holiday. Happy celebrating the Day of the Dead!

Understanding the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)

If you still have questions about the Day of the Dead, check the following information below.

What is the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)?

The Day of the Dead is a multi-day holiday celebrated in Mexico to commemorate deceased friends and family members. It’s believed to originate as a mixture of the Catholic celebrations (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) and pre-Hispanic traditions of the indigenous people. Since 2008, the tradition belongs to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

When is the Day of the Dead?

The main days are November 1 (for children under 12) and November 2 (for adults). However, festivities often begin a week or more before, and last usually until November 5. Altars and sculptures like the ones in the Valle de Catrinas in Atlixco might stay up longer.

There are also other days to commemorate other types of deceased beings:

• October 27: For deceased pets
• October 28: For people who died in accidents
• October 29: For people who drowned
• October 30: For the souls of the forgotten or who have no family left to remember them
• October 31: For the souls lost in limbo, or the unborn children
• November 1: For deceased children under 12 years (“angelitos”, little angels)
• November 2: For deceased adults

Where do I find information on the festivities during the Day of the Dead in Puebla?

You’ll have to wait until the schedule is published, which is normally a month before the Day of the Dead. You can find the information in the following places:

• Online under https://pueblacapital.gob.mx/ (closer to the holiday)
• At the local tourist office at Puebla’s main square (zócalo)
• During the festivities, on the public signboards on Puebla’s main square (zócalo)

Why is the Cempasúchil Flower (Marigold) a symbol for the Day of the Dead?

The bright color and strong scent of this orange flower are supposed to attract and guide the deceased, so they find their way into the earthly sphere and to the homes of their families.

What are Ofrendas?

Ofrendas are altars to commemorate the deceased. They’re decorated with meaningful items like photos, flowers, sugar skulls and pan de muerto, and food and beverages the deceased fancied. Families set up ofrendas at their homes, but there are also public ofrendas in restaurants, marketplaces, and streets.

Ofrendas are seen as a bridge between the dead and the living, meant to guide the spirits of the deceased back to their earthly homes for a brief visit during the Day of the Dead. Families can reunite with the spirits of the ones they lost, before they return to the spiritual realm on November 3.

What are typical offerings to be found on an ofrenda altar?

An ofrenda is typically decorated with various elements that are believed to appeal to the deceased. These may include:

• Photographs: Pictures of the deceased so that their spirits recognize their earthly home.
• Food and Drink: Favorite foods and beverages of the deceased so that their spirit feels welcome. Don’t be surprised to find a bottle of beer or mezcal on an altar:-)
• Water and Salt: Water to quench the thirst of the spirits, and salt to purify the soul.
• Candles: Candles are lit to help the spirits find their way back to their earthly home.
• Flowers: Marigolds, also known as cempasúchil, are commonly used to decorate the altars.
• Incense: Incense is burned to connect with the spiritual realm.
• Objects of Personal Significance: Objects that were important to the deceased, such as toys, books, or tools.
• Papel Picado: Colorful perforated paper that symbolizes the fragility of life.

What are Catrinas (or the Day of the Dead Ladies)?

Catrinas are iconic figures of the Day of the Dead. They show an elegantly dressed figure with a skull as head. The figure was originally created in 1873 by a Mexican artist to make fun of the upper class. That’s why the Catrina is often dressed in elegant Victorian-style gowns. The figure has become so symbolic for the Day of the Dead, that people don’t only dress as Catrinas, but you can also buy artisanal products depicting it. In Atlixco, you can see monumental statues of Catrinas in the Valle de Catrinas during the Day of the Dead season.

Read Next:

• 17 Best Things to Do in Puebla City
• Best Things to Do in Atlixco de Las Flores
• 10 Best Things to Do in Cholula
• 18 Best Things to Do in Mexico City – And How to Plan Your Stay