Mazatlán may be known for its Carnival, but its second most popular holiday is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of Mexico’s most meaningful traditions for honoring and respecting loved ones who have moved on. For over 3 days, they turn it into a community celebration, with some of the most artistic and vibrant pageantry I’ve ever witnessed.

If you’re planning to come to Mazatlán during this holiday period, you can experience this cultural tradition beyond the typical tourist attractions.

What Is Día de los Muertos?

Most people outside Mexico might call the holiday “Mexican Halloween” because of the similar dates, but while there are some visual similarities, they differ fundamentally in culture and history. One draws on a mix of Indigenous Mexican traditions, Spanish Catholicism, and nationalist politics, while the other blends Celtic Pagan and European-Catholic customs in how it developed into what it is today. Historians consistently debate how these traditions evolved over time, but they all agree it now celebrates Mexico’s culture. More recently, you may have seen these traditions in family-friendly movies such as Coco, The Book of Life, and even a small part in the James Bond film Spectre.

Both focus on the supernatural, but Halloween tends to focus on horror themes, entertainment, and spiritual entities. At the same time, Día de los Muertos celebrates the natural cycle of life and death, connects the living realm and the afterlife, and honors past family members and close friends with a sense of homecoming. It can also be less serious and more humorous, with funny stories being told in remembrance of friends and family members.

Symbols of Día de los Muertos

Ofrenda

Don’t think of it as a Halloween decoration. Most recognize the ofrenda as a symbol of Día de los Muertos. The multi-tiered personal altar can vary in size. Still, all contain photos, candles, religious images of saints, personal mementos and keepsakes of the deceased, and their favorite food and drinks. Placed to help encourage visits, they can be found in personal homes, public spaces, and, of course, cemeteries.

Cempasúchil (Mexican Marigold)

The bright and vividly striking orange marigold flowers are traditionally associated with Día de los Muertos. They are used as a guiding pathway for the roaming spirits to follow to the altar and the offerings set for them. Most decorations feature marigolds made of papier-mâché, but if you find the real thing, you will immediately notice the strong, earthy scent the flower gives off. It’s another way to attract the spirits during the celebration.

Calavera

The second most recognizable symbol is the decorated skull known as a calavera. It’s not meant to be frightening, but to represent the cycle of life and eventual death. That’s why most are molded from sugar to be edible and decorated in multiple colors, while other representations appear in costumes and artwork.

Pan de Muerto

Most families prepare the deceased’s favorite meals as an offering on the altar. Tamales are also a common dish for both the living and the dead. One specific dish is especially associated with Día de los Muertos. Pan de muerto is a sweet bread with a little orange zest added to the dough, about the size of a bun, decorated with symbols, and topped with sugar for extra sweetness. Bakeries start making them weeks before the holiday.

Cemeteries

It’s not all spooky tombstones and possibly weird sounds coming from nowhere in the dark. Instead, as one of the most important places to visit, cemeteries are decorated with altars containing everything we just talked about. The community will hold candlelight vigils, illuminating the entire site. Musicians string their guitars as they pass through the headstones. Be careful where you walk and always ask permission before taking photographs, as these are very personal traditions and a completely different experience.

Dressing for Día de los Muertos

The colorful outfits you’ll see everywhere are one of the most fun parts of the celebration. But you can tell right away it’s not like Halloween back home. You aren’t wearing store-bought costumes of fictional characters from movies and television shows. For women, expect traditional clothing with floral themes, marigold crowns, and elaborate calavera makeup. Men can also enjoy skeleton-designed shirts and accessories, along with calavera makeup.

Visitors to Mazatlán can embrace the holiday by dressing up at a local boutique store or having traditional artists paint their faces, but remember participation here is more than just wearing a costume. Keep it respectful and remember that everything you witness is meaningful to the community. Cultural sensitivity matters when traveling, and understanding the symbols and their meanings can go a long way.

Día de los Muertos in Mazatlán

This city is already popular and pretty lively as a tourist destination outside of the holiday. Most people tend to go to larger places like Mexico City and Oaxaca City, where the traditions are similar but have their own unique feel. During the holiday, you get to see a whole other side of Mazatlán with its Sinaloan flavor beyond its beaches, historic quarter, and local culture. Public areas are decorated with ofrendas (altars), and tourist attractions such as museums and stores sometimes host their own holiday-themed exhibitions and activities. It’s all very colorful (especially at night) and blends with the city’s architecture. You can find out about specific events by visiting the Mazatlán Tourism page.

La Callejoneada del Día de los Muertos (Main Parade)

This is what the entire 3 days have been building towards, the holiday’s culmination. The annual Day of the Dead parade is a two-hour-long celebration through the streets of Historic Old Town Mazatlán. Every city block is filled with spectators; you’ll be pushing through the crowd just to get anywhere during this time. Some restaurants directly on the parade route have outdoor seating, which is great for visibility, but you may not see some of the floats and dance troupes.

Once the parade floats are finished, you can still stay around the area and celebrate throughout the night. They have live music playing on stage in the main square, souvenir stands, and other costumed performers. Or head to the beach and end the night with a cool ocean breeze and fewer spectators.

Conclusion

Enjoying this unique annual experience will be a highlight of your Mazatlán travel itinerary. It’s rewarding to see how strongly the community comes together to celebrate the holiday.