The Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Todos Santos, Baja Sur has become increasingly popular over the years. International travelers and Mexicans alike have made our town a favorite place to visit, mainly due to the Festival del Dia de Muertos that takes place at the end of October and beginning of November each year. This “day of the dead” festival is essential to the local celebrations, forming part of an already memorable holiday for most Mexican families. Todos Santos has been considered by Unesco as a World Heritage Site since 2003, attracting many tourists from abroad and creating a spectacular backdrop for this colorful and beautiful holiday.
What is Día De Los Muertos?
This ancestral celebration dates back to pre-Hispanic times, beginning in the last week of October and ending in the first days of November. These traditions originated long before the Spaniards’ arrival in Mexico and is celebrated differently in the various towns across the country. In this holiday, Mexican tradition celebrates the transitory return of the deceased, who travel to the world of the living to return home and spend time with their living relatives.
Traditionally, each date of the holiday period is significant. The celebration starts on October 27, when people put up an altar with water and special food for their deceased pets. On October 28, people who died in accidents or in a tragic way are remembered. On October 29, we remember those who died by drowning. Following, on the 30th and 31st, these days honor people who have been forgotten, have no family, or who had children born dead. November 1st is celebrated for children in general and adults are remembered on November 2nd. Many families set up altars in the weeks leading up to these final dates. The altars typically contain the deceased’s favorite food, something relating to activities they enjoyed, and photos of them.
History of Día De Los Muertos
As we mentioned, Día De Los Muertos is a celebration that originates in pre-Hispanic times. At that time, people thought death was part of the journey towards Mictlán, where they would meet with the gods Mictlantecuhtli and Mictecacíhuatl.
Mictlán was divided depending on how the person died; with the arrival of the Spaniards, this tradition was combined with Catholic religious rituals. Therefore, several indigenous communities had to adapt the veneration of their dead to the Christian calendar.
Nowadays, this festivity has been evolving, and the Mexican tradition of the Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Todos Santos, Baja Sur is one of the most popular in the Baja. It provides families with everything they need to have fun and create pleasant memories. Día De Los Muertos in Todos Santos is an excellent way for families to spend time together.
Celebrating Día De Los Muertos in Todos Santos, Baja Sur
The Día de Los Muertos Festival is immensely entertaining, and there are a wide variety of events for the whole family. We love the parade of the Catrinas, the spectacular altars built in the town plaza, the photography contest, the dog costume show and evening events in the cemeteries.
This year, the Dia De Los Muertos Festival was sponsored by the Alianza de Cero Basura (Zero Waste Alliance) and focused on taking care of the planet, using recycled materials in costumes, altars and decorations.
If you want to be part of this work that aims to rescue our traditions, we invite you to the Dia De Los Muertos in Todos Santos. Where you can enjoy, with the whole family, the Dia De Los Muertos Festival and, at the same time, learn a little more about our culture and all that we have to offer. You should also know that if you want, you can bring a photo of your deceased loved one or pet to place on the altar.
You can stay at our Todos Santos hotel, Villa Santa Cruz: and enjoy a serene paradise with all the amenities needed to spend an incredible vacation. You will be able to enjoy the beautiful beaches while learning about the Mexican Traditions in Todos Santos and how we celebrate Día De Los Muertos.
