Celebrating Día de Muertos in Zihuatanejo A Tradition of Love, Memory, and Culture

Every year, the vibrant coastal town of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, comes alive with one of the most beloved and deeply rooted traditions: Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This festival, held from October 31st to November 2nd, is a unique blend of pre-Hispanic customs and Spanish influences, honoring loved ones who have passed away in a joyous and colorful celebration of life and death.

🕯️✨ A Town Transformed: Altars, Offerings, and Art

Throughout Zihuatanejo, families set up elaborate ofrendas (altars) adorned with photographs, marigold flowers (cempasúchil), candles, and personal belongings of the deceased. The ofrendas serve as a welcoming beacon for the spirits, who are believed to return to the world of the living during this sacred time.

The local streets and main square are decorated with vibrant papel picado (cut paper decorations), and traditional calaveras (sugar skulls) can be found everywhere, symbolizing the connection between life and death. The town also features beautiful sand tapestries, parades, and artistic renditions of the famous La Catrina, an iconic skeleton figure dressed in elegant clothing, representing the festival’s joyful approach to death ¡Take the picture at Plaza Kioto! monumental Catrina will be develated on October 31rst.

🍽️🥖 A Feast for the Living and the Dead

Food plays a significant role in the celebration, and in Zihuatanejo, you’ll find delicious traditional offerings such as pan de muerto (a sweet bread with bone-shaped decorations), tamales, and drinks as mezcal. These dishes are placed on the altars as offerings to the returning spirits, while the living enjoy them during family gatherings and festivities. Local bakeries will be offering pan de muerto during the festival on October 31rst along plaza Kioto to the main course of Zihua.

🎶💀 Music and Dance: The Heartbeat of the Festival

Music and dance are an integral part of the celebration, from traditional bands to local danzas (dances). In Zihuatanejo, the rhythmic sounds fill the streets as people come together to honor their ancestors through performances, storytelling, and sharing memories.

🌙💜 A Night of Remembrance at the Cemetery

As night falls, families gather in the cemeteries, decorating the graves of their loved ones with candles, flowers, and personal mementos. In Zihuatanejo, this intimate tradition is a touching sight, where people pray, sing, and share stories, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for both the living and the dead.

The Day of the Dead is not a time of mourning, but a beautiful celebration of life, memory, and the enduring bond between generations. Zihuatanejo’s coastal charm adds a unique flavor to this heartfelt tradition, blending the sounds of the ocean with the soulful celebration of ancestors.

✨💀🌸 If you’re ever in Zihuatanejo during Día de Muertos, be prepared to experience a deeply moving and colorful celebration that honors the past while embracing the present. It’s a festival full of love, beauty, and life. 🌸💀✨

October 31st

• 18.30 hrs music show at Plaza kioto
• 19:00 hrs Lighting of the monumental Catrina
• 19:30 hrs Pan de muerto tasting by local bakeries
• 19:30 hrs Iluminated boats parade on the main beach

November 1st

• 19:00 hrs Celebration at Colonia La Madera (music and food)
• 19:00 hrs Runway with traditional dresses at Ixtapa commercial zona
• 19:00 hrs “Altares” Contest by Ixtapa Hotels

November 2nd

• 19:30 hrs Catrinas Parade from Plaza Kioto to Casa de la Cultura Zihua

November 3rd

• 19:00 Catrinas contest at Cancha Municipal

See the celebrations program for 2024 here »

View more #IxtapaZihuatanejo | zih.mx

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