Sayulita Day of the Dead Festival

Mexican culture is known for its vibrant celebrations, and the Day of the Dead festival is the most iconic. While there’s often confusion about what Day of the Dead celebrates, experiencing the cultural events in Mexico will show you that it’s a celebration of life. To be a part of the Day of the Dead events, book a trip to Sayulita Mexico, a small surfing village on the country’s west coast. The Sayulita Day of the Dead celebration is very traditional and festive so that you can see for yourself how people celebrate Day of the Dead on your next vacation.

When is Day of the Dead?

Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 and 2, the first day for children who have passed away and the other for everyone else. If you’re traveling this time of year to Sayulita Mexico, you’ll get to experience these Day of the Dead in Mexico traditions, enriching your beach vacation. While the Day of the Dead events in Sayulita take place on November 1 and 2, you’ll see decorations going up in the final days of October.

What Does Day of the Dead Celebrate

Because skeletons and skulls are iconic parts of Day of the Dead, many people often mistakenly think it’s a morbid holiday. The Day of the Dead festival dates back to ancient Aztec beliefs and harvest celebrations. It was believed that departed spirits could return to Earth on this night to visit their loved ones. While not everyone still holds this belief, the Day of the Dead events focus on remembering and honoring the lives of those who have passed away. Once you’ve experienced the cultural events, you’ll see that life and family are at the heart of what Day of the Dead celebrates.

Sayulita Day of the Dead

Experiencing cultural holidays is one of the best things to do in Sayulita, and the community goes all out to make Sayulita Day of the Dead extra special. At school, kids spend time making ojos de dios (God’s Eyes), traditional Huichol symbols of protection and connection to God, and these and other decorations are strung up all over town. During the festive events in Sayulita, there will be musical performances, artwork throughout the central plaza, and people dressed up in festive outfits.

How Do People Celebrate Day of the Dead

No matter where you are in Mexico, there are a few key similarities to how people celebrate Day of the Dead. To honor those who have passed away and welcome their departed spirits on this night, families build altars with pictures of their loved ones and lay out their favorite items, like packs of cigarettes, card games, and chocolates. Some traditional elements on an altar also include candles and bright orange flowers to light the way and water to refresh the spirits. One of the main Day of the Dead events is when communities come together to clean out cemeteries and decorate graves. In Sayulita Mexico, the local cemetery will be filled with candles as families share stories of those who have passed away.

Day of the Dead in Mexico Traditions

In addition to altars and clean cemeteries, there are a few other Day of the Dead in Mexico traditions. A favorite holiday food is pan de muerto, a fluffy orange-flavored pastry coated in butter and sugar. Sugar skulls are also a festive treat, and they’re decorated with vibrant colors and intricate designs. At cultural events, you’ll see people all dressed up as catrinas, skeletons in Victorian-era clothing, representing that underneath it all, we’re all the same, and as you celebrate the Day of the Dead festival, the air will be filled with mariachi music and the aromatic scents of traditional Mexican foods. Eating pan de muerto and checking out all the artwork are the best things to do in Sayulita for Day of the Dead.

There are so many things to do in Sayulita that showcase traditional Mexican culture, and during the holidays, there’s no better place to be. The Day of the Dead celebration is one of the biggest events in Sayulita that you won’t want to miss.