There are plenty of reasons we love spending time in Valladolid, but Janal Pixan gives us another one.
The city has such a strong sense of place—beautiful architecture, deeply rooted traditions, great food and, most importantly, people who know how to celebrate. From October 24 through November 2, 2026, Valladolid will mark Janal Pixan and Day of the Dead with more than a week of events spread throughout the city.
This year’s program moves well beyond the main plaza. There will be theater, outdoor horror movies in neighborhood parks, traditional altars, food events, the Paseo de las Ánimas, the Catrinas Parade and a free concert by Ximena Sariñana in front of the former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
If you’ve been thinking about spending a few days in Valladolid, late October is a particularly fun time to do it. Here’s what’s happening.
October 24: ¡UAY! Xibalba
The festivities begin with ¡UAY! Xibalba at Casa de la Cultura at 6pm.
Xibalba is the underworld described in the Maya K’iche’ Popol Vuh, and the evening sets the tone for a week in which Maya traditions, contemporary culture and some good old-fashioned spooky fun all share the calendar.
Saturday, October 24
6 PM
Casa de la Cultura
October 25: CATS at Cenote Zací
The following evening brings theater to one of Valladolid’s most recognizable settings with a performance of CATS at Teatro Zací Cenote.
Sunday, October 25
6 PM
Teatro Zací Cenote
October 26–28: Three Nights of Horror Movies
We love this idea: three evenings of outdoor horror cinema, each taking place in a different Valladolid neighborhood.
It’s also a good excuse to get away from the usual tourist circuit and spend some time in the city’s local parks.
October 26 | 6–10 PM
Cancha San Isidro 1
October 27 | 6–10 PM
Parque Santa Ana
October 28 | 6–10 PM
Parque San Juan
October 29: Traditional Altar Exhibition
Janal Pixan—meaning “food for the souls” in Yucatec Maya—is centered around remembering and welcoming back loved ones who have died.
On October 29, students from local high schools and universities will create an altar exhibition in Parque del Centro, offering visitors an opportunity to see how younger generations are continuing and interpreting these traditions.
Thursday, October 29
5 PM
Parque del Centro
October 30: Paseo de las Ánimas
This is one of the events we’d especially put on the calendar.
Valladolid’s Paseo de las Ánimas — Procession of Souls begins at Cinco Calles and continues toward the Sisal neighborhood, ending at the esplanade in front of the former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
Participants are encouraged to dress in white or wear a traditional huipil and bring a candle for the procession.
It’s also a beautiful route. The procession connects Centro with Sisal and takes you toward one of Valladolid’s most important historic landmarks.
Friday, October 30
6 PM
Cinco Calles → Sisal Esplanade
MID CityBeat Tip
Come earlier and spend some time walking Calzada de los Frailes before the procession begins. Stop for a drink or an early dinner and then make your way toward Cinco Calles. Expect plenty of people, so give yourself time and wear comfortable shoes.
October 31: Ximena Sariñana Live in Valladolid
And this is a BIG one.
Mexican singer-songwriter Ximena Sariñana will perform a FREE concert on October 31 in the atrium of the former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena.
The convent provides quite a backdrop for a concert, and with the performance falling right in the middle of the Janal Pixan celebrations, we expect this to be one of the busiest nights of the week.
Saturday, October 31
8 PM
Atrium of the Former Convent of San Bernardino de Siena
FREE
Get there early!
November 1–2: Flavors of the Beyond
Of course, you can’t celebrate Janal Pixan in Yucatán without food.
Sabores del Más Allá — Flavors of the Beyond takes over Calzada de los Frailes for two days, bringing gastronomy into the celebration.
Look for regional flavors and seasonal foods associated with this time of year—and definitely keep an eye out for mucbipollo, or pib, the large tamal traditionally prepared underground during Janal Pixan.
Sunday, November 1
4–11 PM
Monday, November 2
12–11 PM
Calzada de los Frailes
If you’re planning an overnight trip, November 1 into November 2 would be a good time to stay in Valladolid and enjoy the city without trying to squeeze everything into one day.
November 2: Catrinas Take Over Valladolid
The celebrations finish with color and plenty of creativity.
Valladolid’s Catrinas Parade begins at Cinco Calles and follows the route toward the Sisal Esplanade.
Expect elaborate makeup, costumes and interpretations of La Catrina, the elegantly dressed skeleton that has become one of the most recognizable images associated with Día de Muertos celebrations throughout Mexico.
Monday, November 2
7 PM
Cinco Calles → Sisal Esplanade
Make a Weekend of It
One of the reasons we recommend Valladolid so often is that it is easy to turn an event into a full weekend.
Spend the morning exploring the city, have lunch somewhere you haven’t tried before, cool off at a nearby cenote and head back into town as the Janal Pixan activities begin.
And don’t stay only around the main plaza.
Walk through Santa Ana and San Juan, head down Calzada de los Frailes toward Sisal, and leave enough time to simply wander. Valladolid is compact enough to explore on foot, but there is much more to it than the few blocks most day-trippers see.
If you’re coming from Mérida, Valladolid is also an easy addition to a longer Yucatán Janal Pixan itinerary.
Fast Facts: Janal Pixan in Valladolid 2026
Dates: October 24–November 2, 2026
Where: Valladolid, Yucatán
Major events: Paseo de las Ánimas, Ximena Sariñana concert, Flavors of the Beyond and Catrinas Parade
Paseo de las Ánimas: October 30 at 6 PM
Ximena Sariñana: October 31 at 8 PM
Catrinas Parade: November 2 at 7 PM
What to bring for the Paseo: Candle; white clothing or a huipil is encouraged
Best advice: If you’re coming for one of the major evening events, arrive early and stay overnight if you can.
