Find activities here to celebrate the Day of the Dead in Guadalajara and the surrounding area. There will be parades, monumental altars, cemetery tours, concerts, workshops, children’s activities, and much more.
Check the schedule by municipality, museum, and type of activity to plan your visit.
1. GUADALAJARA
Activities in the Historic Center
Morelos Park
Cardboard and Traditional Toy Fair
- Date: Through November 4.
- Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Musical Performances
- October 31: Rondalla Luz de Luna, 5:00 p.m.
- November 1: Jalisco State Band, 5:00 p.m.
Plaza Guadalajara
Sightseeing Tours
- October 27: Remembering Your Best Friend, 5:30 p.m.
- October 29: The Mysteries of Mictlán, 5:00 p.m. / Puente de las Damas Museum
- October 30: Day of the Dead Traditions, 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission with registration at @tequiero.guadalajara
Decorations and giant altar
- Dates: October 30 through November 13.
Guadalajara Cathedral
Video mapping
- Dates: October 31 through November 12.
- Showtimes: 7:45 p.m., 8:45 p.m., and 9:45 p.m.
Roundabout of Illustrious People of Jalisco
Giant Catrina Altars
- Dates: October 30 through November 13.
Cultural Performances | November 1
- 4:00 p.m.: Tunkul, pre-Hispanic dance.
- 5:00 p.m.: Municipal Choir.
- 6:00 p.m.: *La Muerte Irredenta*.
Fray Antonio Alcalde Promenade
Road to Heaven
- Dates: October 30 through November 13.
- Hours: 9:00 a.m. to midnight.
- What to Expect: Illuminated tunnel, altar, and altar contest, as well as themed decorations.
Plaza Tapatía
Photo opportunities and live music featuring catrinas
- Dates: October 30–November 12.
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
Avenida México and Avenida Chapultepec
Day of the Dead Parade
- Date: October 31.
- Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Starts at the intersection of México Avenue and Chapultepec Avenue. Route along Hidalgo Avenue to Plaza Liberación.
Paseo Alcalde and Pedro Moreno
5K Cempasúchil Trail Race
- Date: October 31.
- Time: 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Starts at the intersection of Paseo Alcalde and Pedro Moreno, heading toward the Arcos de la Minerva.
- Cost: Free. Registration at Márcate and COMUDE offices.
Via RecreActiva | Minerva Roundabout
Totems and photo opportunities
- Date: November 1.
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Activities at the museums
Museums in Guadalajara
Altars for the Dead
- Date: Starting October 29.
- Locations:
Japi Museum Night
- Date: October 29.
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- Location: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Cost: $75 for children and $150 for adults
Activities at the cemeteries
Belén Cemetery Museum
Tour Marathon
Dates: October 29–November 3.
Daytime Tours
- Times: 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.
- Cost: Regular prices.
- Purchase: Directly at the box office, in cash.
Visit to the altar
- Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission.
Nighttime Tours
Tickets: Available directly at the box office, cash only.
Showtimes: 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m., and midnight.
Price: Regular prices.
Wednesday, October 28
Window of the Wind: Family-friendly papel picado workshop
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Thursday, October 29
Obituaries in Clay, A Memorial to Folk Artists
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission.
- Additional information: Exhibition curated by Miguel Arelis.
Landscapes of Listening | Drink and Draw
- Time: 6:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Friday, October 30
Pathfinders: Family Workshop on Cardboard Butterflies
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Concert: “No acabarán mis flores” by Jaramar
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: Admission fee applies.
Saturday, October 31
Botanical Tour Featuring Local Plants
- Time: 11:00 a.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Sunday, November 1
Funeral Art Tour
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Mezquitán Cemetery and Belén Cemetery Museum.
- Cost: Admission fee applies.
- Additional information: In collaboration with México Funerario.
Performance by the Tonalá Orchestra
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission.
Monday, November 2
Between Threads and Offerings: Weaving Workshop
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Approaches to Funerary Art
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; limited capacity—registration required at @museopanteondebelen
Tuesday, November 3
Extinguishing the altar
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission.
Sunday, November 8
Traditions and Flavors of Mexico: Children’s Pan de Muerto Workshop
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Belén Pantheon Museum.
- Cost: This is a paid event.
- Additional information: Hosted by Pía Repostería. Advance registration required.
Mezquitán Cemetery
Monumental Day of the Dead Altar
- Dates: October 27–November 4.
- Location: Mezquitán Cemetery.
Dramatized Tours
- Dates: October 31 and November 1.
- Showtimes: 9:00 a.m. and 10:40 a.m.
- Cost: Free.
Illumination of mausoleums and special graves
- Dates: October 31, November 1, and 2.
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
Municipal Band Concert
- Date: November 1.
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
Hours of Operation for Guadalajara’s Municipal Cemeteries
Municipal cemeteries will have special hours in observance of the Day of the Dead.
- Dates: October 31 through November 2, 2026.
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cemeteries included:
- San Joaquín Cemetery.
- Mezquitán Cemetery.
- Guadalajara Cemetery.
- Jardín Cemetery.
- San Andrés Cemetery.
2. TLAQUEPAQUE
Wednesday, October 28
Calavera Race
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Intersection of Hidalgo and Revolución.
- Cost: Free.
- Additional information: Advance registration required.
Thursday, October 29
Catrinas Gala
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: San Pedro de El Refugio Courtyard.
Friday, October 30
Unveiling of the monumental altar
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Juárez Street.
El Alabado Procession
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Starts at Plaza Springfield.
La Llorona Verse Contest and “Calaveritas”
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Location: El Parián Bandstand.
- Cost: Free.
- Additional information: Advance registration required.
Saturday, October 31
Perrón Gathering
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Jardín Hidalgo.
Night Tour of the Municipal Cemetery
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Municipal Cemetery, Downtown area.
Sunday, November 1
Children’s Catrinas and Catrines Gala
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Jardín Hidalgo.
Paseo de las Ánimas
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Intersection of Morelos and Cruz Verde streets.
Storytelling and Legends
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Springfield Plaza, on the way to the cemetery.
Candle-lighting ceremony
- Time: 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Starts at the altar on Juárez Street.
Macuixóchitl Pre-Hispanic Ritual as an Offering to the Dead
- Time: 9:30 p.m.
- Location: Jardín Hidalgo.
Monday, November 2
Offering to the Dead, by the pre-Hispanic group Macuixóchitl
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Presidential Esplanade.
Procession of Catrina Brides
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Exit on Hidalgo Street.
3. ZAPOPAN
Day of the Dead at the Network of Cultural Centers
Wednesday, October 28
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Jardines de Nuevo México Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What’s on: Dedication of the Day of the Dead altar, Catrina and Catrín contest, performance by the Nuevo México Choir, and Jazz Chiquitines Circus.
Thursday, October 29
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Las Águilas Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Music and dance festival, a memorial offering dedicated to Cristina Pacheco, and a performance by the Zapopan Circus Company.
Friday, October 30
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Torremolinos Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Costume contest, Day of the Dead altar display, and a breakdancing performance by students.
Tuesday, November 3
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: San Isidro Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Colores del Mictlán Festival, an altar dedicated to community members’ loved ones, a literary “calaveritas” contest, Ohía Lehúa Polynesian dances, Latin dances, a mask-painting workshop, and myths and legends of the Day of the Dead.
Wednesday, November 4
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Paraísos del Colli Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Community Day of the Dead altar, art exhibition, hip-hop performance, and performances by pre-ballet, kids’ hip-hop, guitar, and singing groups.
Friday, November 6
- Time: 5:00 p.m.
- Location: Center for Circus Arts.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Catrina contest, altar display, student performances, and a performance by the Zapopan Circus Company.
Saturday, November 7
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Constitución Cultural Center.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Community bazaar, guitar and ballet performances, Chiquitines Circus and jazz, Day of the Dead bike ride with a tour of the cemetery and an explanation of the Atemajac mummies.
- Artistic Performances: Etoiles, Tamure, Hopsen, ballet, Slow, Real Flaks, Sol de Zapopan, and more guests.
- Other activities: Legends Tours 1 and 2.
Activities in the Historic Center of Zapopan
Thursday, October 29
The Zapopan Night Tour Heads to Mictlán
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Starting at Parque de las Niñas y los Niños, heading to the Atemajac Cemetery, and returning to the park.
- Cost: Free.
- What’s on: A special 13.7-kilometer bike ride to visit the cemeteries in Atemajac del Valle and Zapopan Centro. There will be a costume contest on the park’s esplanade.
- Important: Space is limited and requires prior registration.
Friday, October 30
Exhibition “Between Masks and Bones,” by Luis Guillermo González
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Javier Arévalo Gallery.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Exhibition and fashion show of Day of the Dead-themed dog costumes.
October 30 and 31, and November 1
Calaveritas from Zapopan
- Time: 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Location: Parque de las Niñas y los Niños.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: A community altar where people can participate by bringing offerings and photographs of their loved ones. There will also be altar and costume contests in children’s, adult, and family categories.
October 30 and 31
Calaveritas Festival
- Time: 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Location: CISZ Esplanade, Parque de las Niñas y los Niños, and Foro Cometa.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Traditional Day of the Dead altar contest featuring schools, community groups, businesses, associations, government agencies, and the general public.
October 31 and November 1
Day of the Dead Food Festival
- Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Plaza de las Américas Juan Pablo II.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Food vendors, crafts, live music, and traveling shows for the whole family.
Saturday, October 31
Annual Procession of Catrinas and Catrines
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Departing from the Zapopan Municipal Cemetery and heading to Plaza de las Américas Juan Pablo II.
- Cost: Free.
- What to Expect: Parade through the streets of the Historic Center.
- Costume Categories: Traditional catrín or catrina, catrín groom or bride, formal wear, traditional Mexican regional attire, monk in chains, rocker style, and ancestral style.
- Important: Registration closed on Friday, October 23.
4. MORE FAMILY ACTIVITIES
This section brings together seasonal experiences, activities, and shows to enjoy with children and adults.
Calaverandia
- Date: Through November 8
- Time: Starting at 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Ávila Camacho Park
- Cost: Starting at $966 for adults and $483 for children
Cempasúchiles Field at Rancho San Juan Diego
- Date: Through October 2
- Schedule: Various times
- Location: Rancho San Juan Diego
- Cost: Starting at $200
Casa Nido Fall Festival
- Dates: October 30, 31, and November 1
- Hours: 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Casa Nido
- Cost: Free admission with purchase of a drink
Boo House
- Dates: October 29, 30, and 31
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: El Tecuán, La Primavera.
- Cost: Starting at $390
The Strange World of Jack with an orchestra
- Date: October 31
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Galerías Theater
- Cost: Starting at $500
Trick-or-Treat at Centro de Vida La Perla
- Date: October 31
- Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Location: La Perla Community Center.
- Cost: Free admission
Day of the Dead Parades
- Date: November 1
- Time: 4:00 p.m.
- Location: La Penal Park
- Cost: Free admission
Scary Animals
- Date: October 31
- Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Location: Paleontology Museum
- Cost: Free admission
Day of the Dead at the Globo Museum
- Date: November 1
- Time: 12:00 p.m.
- Location: Globo, Children’s Museum
- Cost: Free admission
Donnie Darko at the Cineforo
- Date: October 31
- Time: 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Cineforo
- Cost: Free admission
Halloween Party at the Public Library
- Date: October 30
- Time: 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Jalisco State Public Library
- Cost: Free admission for those 18 and older
Pan de Muerto Festival
- Date: October 29 and November 1
- Hours: Thursday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Casa Rosa Luis Barragán and the Lions Club
- Cost: Thursdays $50 pesos; Sundays, free admission
Vías Verdes Night Ride
- Date: October 31
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Former La Vega Railroad Station
- Cost: Free admission with registration at @viasverdesjalisco
May the dawn truly break
- Date: November 1
- Time: 3:00 p.m.
- Location: Akron Stadium
- Cost: Various prices
