{"id":122244,"date":"2022-10-02T11:39:02","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T11:39:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/?p=122244"},"modified":"2023-10-23T15:50:48","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T15:50:48","slug":"day-of-the-dead-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostelworld.com\/blog\/day-of-the-dead-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Day of the Dead facts: everything you need to know about Mexico\u2019s most famous fiesta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t call it Halloween, or get it confused with All Saints Day. Mexico\u2019s most unique festivity is called D\u00eda de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, and it\u2019s one of the most anticipated events in the country\u2019s calendar. But don\u2019t let the name fool you, this is not a sad occasion! In fact, it\u2019s one of the most vibrant and exciting parties in the world. We\u2019ve got all the Day of the Dead facts you\u2019ll need to understand this moving celebration. This is a sentimental holiday with a fascinating story \u2013 anyone who\u2019s seen the movie \u2018Coco<\/em>\u2019 will know it can melt the hardest of hearts!<\/p>\n

D\u00eda de Muertos is a dynamic display of Mexican culture and the enormous importance of the family within it. It\u2019s a tribute to ancestors and lost family members, soundtracked by traditional music and decorated in every colour of the rainbow. Unlike in other parts of the world where the subject of death is avoided, in Mexico it\u2019s considered just a natural step in life – and is celebrated in style!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking for information about this unique holiday, you\u2019re in the right place. Read on to find out when, where and how D\u00eda de Muertos is celebrated in Mexico.<\/p>\n

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    When is D\u00eda de Muertos celebrated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The full celebration takes place between the 1st<\/sup> and 2nd<\/sup> of November every year, although the celebrations begin a few days before.<\/p>\n

    Officially, the holiday begins at midnight on November 1st<\/sup> with D\u00eda de Inocentes<\/em>, or Day of the Innocents, where the lives of all lost children are remembered for 24 hours. Their spirits are said to be reunited with their parents.<\/p>\n

    At midnight on November 2nd<\/sup>, the celebrations shift to remember the spirits of all the dead. Throughout the next 24 hours, the spectacular grand finale of D\u00eda de Muertos<\/em> takes place.<\/p>\n

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      How is D\u00eda de Muertos celebrated?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      According to tradition, during the night the souls of the dead return to visit their homes. Relatives place an altar \u2013 or ofrenda<\/em> – inside, often decorated with a cross and pictures of the Virgin Mary, plus photographs of their deceased and many offerings including flowers, food, candles and toys for children. It\u2019s also customary to visit cemeteries and create ofrendas <\/em>at a loved one\u2019s grave.<\/p>\n

      These ofrendas<\/em> are made up of several levels which, aside from looking dazzlingly beautiful, are filled with objects related to the four elements:<\/p>\n