By late October, something begins to change across Yucatán. Markets fill with banana leaves, masa, and ingredients for mucbipollo. Candles and flowers appear at family altars and cemeteries. In homes throughout Mérida and the smaller towns of the peninsula, families begin preparing not only for those who are present, but for the return of those who have passed.
This is Janal Pixan, one of Yucatán’s most meaningful traditions and a beautiful time to experience the cultural and spiritual heritage of the Maya world.
Janal Pixan is how the Day of the Dead is celebrated in the Southern region of Mexico and translates roughly as “food for the souls” or “food for the spirits.”
Janal Pixan is a deeply rooted family tradition centered around memory, food, prayer, and maintaining a connection between the living and the dead. Families prepare altars with photographs, candles, flowers, favorite foods, and personal objects as offerings to welcome their loved ones’ souls home.
The traditional observances take place October 31 through November 2, with different days dedicated to different souls. October 31, known as U Janal Palal, traditionally honors children who have died. November 1, U Janal Nucuch Uinicoob, is dedicated to deceased adults, while November 2 continues the remembrance of all souls and includes traditions such as Misa Pixán.
JANAL PIXAN IS NOT A HALLOWEEN PARTY
For visitors, it is important to remember that this time of year is not like a Halloween party. The city’s Festival de Animas started in 2008 with the Paseo de Animas parade from the cemetery to the San Juan Park as a way to involve tourism, both local and foreign, to experience Janal Pixan. Since then, it has grown and there are many activities throughout the week and many local businesses as well have their own events and parties. It’s also worth noting that many local people have concerns about these deeply sacred traditions becoming overly commercialized or being treated simply as a Halloween-style celebration, rather than with the cultural significance and respect they deserve. So just a reminder that this is a time of year to understand and experience as a way of sharing cultures.
Would you like to go to Campeche and experience the Cleaning of the Bones Rituals? Our yearly visit leaves on October 29th. For more information, click here.
JANAL PIXAN MERIDA CALENDAR
Over the years, Mérida has developed an extensive public celebration around the traditional observances called the Festival de las Ánimas, or Festival of the Souls.
In 2026, the festival will run October 24 through November 2, with events taking place across Mérida, including Parque de San Juan, La Ermita, San Sebastián, Plaza Grande and several neighborhood parks and cultural spaces.
The city has now released its official event calendar, with activities scheduled throughout the festival. Here are the dates to put on your calendar.
October 24 — Festival de las Ánimas Begins
The Festival de las Ánimas officially begins Saturday, October 24.
One of the opening events is Ánimas Illuminated, beginning at 6 PM at Parque de San Juan. Giant illuminated figures inspired by Yucatecan culture and the arts will transform the park for the opening evening of the festival.
San Juan also becomes particularly important later in the week as the destination of Mérida’s famous Paseo de las Ánimas.
Location here https://share.google/Uac6wVnhZwVkQgBkH
October 24–27 — Night Tours at the General Cemetery
The Recorrido Nocturno en el Cementerio General offers guided evening visits focused on the history of the cemetery’s mausoleums and the symbolism connected to the pantheon.
Tours will be offered October 24 through 27 at 6 PM, 6:30 PM, 7 PM, 7:30 PM and 8 PM, at Parqueadero de San Sebastián
Capacity is limited.
Location here https://maps.app.goo.gl/NnbyrQkMGKcPi2pFA
From October 25 — The Monumental Altar in Plaza Grande
Beginning October 25, Mérida’s Plaza Grande will once again become home to the city’s Monumental Janal Pixan Altar, with its official inauguration scheduled for 6 PM.
A large altar installation bringing together flowers, candles, photographs and traditional elements associated with the home altars prepared throughout Yucatán.
It also creates a communal place of remembrance in the very heart of the city, where residents and visitors can pause and honor loved ones who have died.
Location here https://maps.app.goo.gl/F7kA3ZPS9EMRiWVK9
October 25 — 9th Feria del Mucbipollo
On Sunday, October 25, one of Yucatán’s most anticipated seasonal food traditions returns with the 9th Feria del Mucbipollo.
The festival celebrates mucbipollo, the traditional Yucatecan dish closely associated with Janal Pixán. It’s a chance to enjoy this local tradition with family while experiencing one of the flavors most connected to this time of year.
The fair runs from 8 AM to 8 PM at the Parque de San Sebastian
October 25 — Pixán Peek
Later that evening, Pixán Peek brings Janal Pixan traditions to Gran Santa Fe Norte through a guided walk featuring costumed characters.
The walk begins at 6 PM at the neighborhood’s Central Park – Gran Santa Fe Norte
Location Here https://share.google/HcqiYNhTfOOQjcoto
October 26 — Vaquería de las Ánimas
On Monday, October 26, the festival continues with the Vaquería de las Ánimas, a traditional regional dance performance accompanied by live music.
The event begins at 9 PM at the Bajos del Palacio Municipal, bringing one of Yucatán’s best-known musical and dance traditions into the Festival de las Ánimas program.
Location here https://share.google/caC69GNdA5UExTKGi
October 27 — México y sus Tradiciones
On Tuesday, October 27, students from Mérida’s Dirección de Identidad y Cultura will present México y sus Tradiciones, a showcase of traditional dances from different regions of the country.
The performance begins at 8 PM at the Centro Municipal de Danza.
Location Here https://share.google/jZLrR6RoXwmoJ1Z9N
October 28 — Rodada de las Ánimas
The Rodada de las Ánimas returns on Wednesday, October 28, with an evening bicycle ride through a route tied to the imagery and traditions of the season.
The ride begins at 8 PM, traveling between Parque de la Ermita and the Cementerio General.
Location here https://maps.app.goo.gl/sjEbwjV5vGWvZT7R9
October 29 — Ánimas en la Isla, Pixán Paalal and Misterios del Inframundo
October 29 brings several Festival de las Ánimas activities to different parts of Mérida.
Ánimas en la Isla begins at 6 PM at Plaza La Isla, with a procession led by young students from the Centros Aprende followed by a jarana presentation.
At 7 PM, Pixán Paalal takes place at Parque de Chuburná, with a children’s interpretation of the arrival of the ánimas into the world of the living.
Later that evening, Misterios del Inframundo, presented by Jorge Moreno, begins at 8 PM at the Centro Cultural del Sur, exploring regional myths and stories connected to the underworld.
October 30 — Paseo de las Ánimas
If there is one event to put on your calendar, it is this one.
The Paseo de las Ánimas is confirmed for Friday, October 30, with festival activities running from 6 PM to 11 PMthroughout the areas surrounding San Juan, La Ermita and San Sebastián.
The evening centers on the symbolic procession of the souls and also includes altars, cultural performances, videomapping, dance and food areas throughout the route.
This is the heart of Mérida’s Festival de las Ánimas.
This is a parade where hundreds of participants in the traditional dress of Yucatan and with their face painted as a skull walk from the cemetery to Parque San Juan, each holding a candle, symbolically representing the souls leaving the underworld and returning to the world of the living.
But the experience extends well beyond the procession itself.
The streets surrounding the route traditionally fill with community and school altars, candles, regional food, sweets, music and cultural presentations. Visitors can walk through the neighborhoods surrounding the cemetery and La Ermita while experiencing one of the most atmospheric nights of the year in Mérida.
The evening traditionally culminates with a Yucatecan vaquería, bringing jarana music and dance into a celebration that is at once solemn, communal and festive. There are also A LOT of people so parking and transportation can be difficult, so be sure to bring your walking shoes! And get there early to get a spot and look around.
October 31 — Catrinas Take Over Mérida
The following night brings a very different atmosphere.
The 2026 Desfile de Catrinas is confirmed for Saturday, October 31 at 8 PM, beginning at Plaza Grande and continuing toward La Plancha.
Expect elaborate costumes, skeletal makeup, enormous figures and plenty of creativity as Mérida puts a contemporary spin on Mexico’s broader Día de Muertos imagery.
While Janal Pixan has distinctly Maya and Yucatecan roots, the Catrinas Parade reflects the way the city’s Festival de las Ánimas has grown to incorporate other Mexican Day of the Dead traditions into its public celebration.
October 31–November 2 — Caminos Misteriosos de Xcunyá
From October 31 through November 2, Caminos Misteriosos de Xcunyá offers a nighttime guided experience through trails connecting Xcunyá with its historic cemetery surroundings.
Local guides will share stories about the area’s mausoleums, history and the symbolism surrounding the cemetery.
The experience begins at 7 PM and has limited capacity.
November 1–2 — Ofrenda at the Monumental Altar
The Festival de las Ánimas continues into November with special visits to the Monumental Altar at Plaza Grande.
On November 1 and 2, visitors can see the altar and learn more about its meaning through scheduled explanations and thematic visits.
Activities are scheduled for 6 PM, 6:30 PM, 7 PM, 7:30 PM and 8 PM.
Capacity is limited.
MORE TO COME
The official Festival de las Ánimas calendar includes additional installations, performances and activities throughout the week, particularly along the Paseo de las Ánimas route.
MID CityBeat will continue updating this guide as additional details and neighborhood events are announced.
Throughout the festival, visitors can also expect smaller exhibitions, performances, music, student activities, decorated streets and cultural events to appear around Mérida.
JANAL PIXAN BEYOND MÉRIDA: SISAL’S FESTIVAL DE LAS ÁNIMAS
Mérida may host the largest Festival de las Ánimas, but some of the most interesting Janal Pixan experiences happen outside the capital.
And Sisal is one to watch in 2026.
The coastal Pueblo Mágico has announced its second Festival de las Ánimas for October 30 and 31, 2026.
The preliminary program includes contests, cultural presentations, dancing, recreational activities and community celebrations centered around Janal Pixan and Día de Muertos.
But what makes Sisal particularly special is its setting.
A local calendar has announced a Festival de las Ánimas featuring decorated chalanas in the wetlands on October 31, creating a hauntingly beautiful coastal interpretation of the season. Another Día de Muertos event is provisionally scheduled at the Sisal cemetery for November 1 at 6 PM. These details are still considered preliminary until organizers release the final schedule.
During the first edition in 2025, decorated boats traveled through the wetlands carrying participants dressed as pixanes, or souls. Surrounded by water, mangroves and the coastal landscape, the experience is completely different from Mérida’s enormous urban processions.
It is definitely one of the Janal Pixan events MID CityBeat will be watching this year.
JANAL PIXAN BEYOND MÉRIDA: LAS ÁNIMAS DEL MAR IN PROGRESO
Progreso is also preparing its own coastal interpretation of the season with Las Ánimas del Mar: Día de Muertos, taking place October 23 through November 7.
Throughout Progreso and its surrounding communities, the program will bring together Janal Pixan and Día de Muertos traditions with the identity of the port, where the sea forms an important part of local history and everyday life.
Activities throughout the celebration will focus on remembrance, local customs and sharing these traditions with younger generations.
One of the most distinctive parts of the program will be El Último Adiós, a closing event planned for the Ría de Chelem, where the water will become the setting for a symbolic farewell to the ánimas.
The detailed schedule for the individual Progreso events has not yet been included in the information released so far, so MID CityBeat will update this guide as additional dates and times are announced.
OTHER JANAL PIXAN EXPERIENCES AROUND YUCATÁN
Visit a local market in the days leading up to October 31 and you’ll see piles of banana leaves and ingredients destined for family pibs, Day of the Dead candies and special foods and flowers for the altars. It’s my favorite time . Walk through neighborhoods and you’ll catch glimpses of altars glowing behind open doors. Visit a cemetery respectfully and you’ll see families cleaning and decorating graves.
These quieter moments often reveal more about Janal Pixan than the largest public spectacle.
A SEASON TO EXPERIENCE WITH RESPECT
From illuminated streets in Mérida and candlelit processions leaving the General Cemetery to pibs emerging from underground ovens and decorated boats floating through the wetlands of Sisal, Janal Pixan is one of the most extraordinary times to experience Yucatán.
But it is important to remember what lies beneath all of the festivities.
Janal Pixan is first and foremost about remembrance.
The food, candles, flowers and altars are ways of welcoming loved ones home and keeping their memory present within the family. The Festival de las Ánimas gives visitors an extraordinary opportunity to experience some of these traditions, but it should always be approached as a guest—with curiosity, appreciation and respect.
For 2026, mark October 24 through November 2 as the main Festival de las Ánimas period in Mérida, with October 30 and 31 currently the two biggest confirmed nights.
And keep checking MID CityBeat. As Mérida, Sisal and communities throughout Yucatán announce their complete 2026 Janal Pixan programs, we’ll be adding the events, dates and experiences you won’t want to miss.
