Mexico’s most folkloric month has arrived, and with it, dozens of events that celebrate the country’s most cherished festival: Day of the Dead.
But beyond events that celebrate this festive time — like Calaverandia or the Bread of the Dead festival — Guadalajara and its surrounding area are also gearing up to host a wide range of events that range from an international book fair to stargazing and more.
Let’s get right into it!
Visit the world’s first and largest Day of the Dead theme park
Since its first edition in 2017, Calaverandia has been a huge success in immersing visitors into the ambiance of Day of the Dead. Spreading over five hectares, the theme park features a monumental Dead of the Dead altar, multimedia projections, a magical themed village with bone-shaped houses, an alebrije area, an interactive tour inspired by the pre-Hispanic world of the dead and many other attractions.
Date: Oct. 22 – Nov. 29
Location: Avenida Manuel Ávila Camacho, Lomas del Country, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 711 pesos
Go to Tlaquepaque’s Day of the Dead festival
The Magical Town of Tlaquepaque will host a unique Day of the Dead festival inspired by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. The event will feature decorations inspired by World Cups held in Mexico and even pre-Hispanic ball games. The event will attempt to break its own world record of the largest Day of the Dead altar. By public vote, the altar will be dedicated to soccer legends Pelé or Maradona.
Date: Oct. 23 – Nov. 2
Location: Historic center of San Pedro Tlaquepaque
Cost: Free
Sip a glass of wine by Lake Chapala
Vinart Ajijic, an event that celebrates wine, music and food, is back for its fourth edition in the enchanting town of Ajijic. With more than 25 national and international wineries, the event will offer free tastings from more than 170 labels, along with workshops and pairings. Expect a paella competition (a Spanish rice-based dish), a Catrinas and Catrines competition to celebrate Day of the Dead, live music and an after-party.
Date: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1
Location: Nimue Marina & Residence, Paseo de La Huerta No. 57, Col. La Floresta, Ajijic
Cost: Starting at 850 pesos
Experience a festival dedicated to Bread of the Dead
Picture the smell of freshly baked Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) as you stroll down a fair exclusively dedicated to Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead), one of Day of the Dead’s staple features. Visitors will be able to taste and buy a wide variety of Pan de Muerto from 15 local bakeries, ranging from the classic version to unique takes such as vegan options, whole wheat, sourdough and breads filled with cream or chocolate.
Date: Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
Location: Parque Monterrey, Col. Vallarta San Jorge and Club de Leones, Col. Tepeyac Casino
Cost: Free
Go to a tequila festival in the town of Tequila
To celebrate Day of the Dead, the town of Tequila (yes, cradle of the spirit bearing the same name) will host a festival dubbed Tequilero Hasta Los Huesos (Tequilero to the Bones). The family event seeks to pay tribute to loved ones who have passed away with an event that celebrates art, music, tequila and Mexican traditions.
Date: Nov. 1
Location: Main square of Tequila, Jalisco
Cost: Free
Attend a culinary festival on Day of the Dead
To celebrate Day of the Dead, the municipality of Zapopan will host a culinary festival featuring stalls offering traditional Mexican food like tamales, tacos, bread of the dead and various antojitos mexicanos (Mexican snacks). Attendees can expect a procession of Catrina brides, live music, monumental skulls, cultural performances and more.
Date: Nov. 1 and 2
Location: Plaza de las Américas, Calle Eva Briseño, Zapopan
Cost: Free
Take a cultural walk in Guadalajara
To celebrate Day of the Dead, Patrimonio en Ruta will host a walking tour to three iconic locations in Guadalajara, guided by historian Alejandra Pinal. The tour begins at the historic Belén Pantheon, continues to the Cardboard and Toy Fair, where participants can join an interactive activity, and ends at the MUPAG (Guadalajara Heritage Museum) with a talk on local traditions.
The tour includes bread of the dead and hot chocolate.
Date: Nov. 2
Location: Panteón de Belén, C. Belén 684, El Retiro, Guadalajara
Cost: 790 pesos
Gaze at the stars
If you’re into astronomy culture, you won’t want to miss La Noche de las Estrellas (Stars Night), a national event that occurs in several cities simultaneously, where people get together to stargaze. This year’s edition is dedicated to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, with the theme “between stars and atoms.” In addition to stargazing, expect interactive scientific workshops focusing on physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and astronomy.
Date: Nov. 29
Location: Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías (CUCEI) de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Blvd. Gral. Marcelino García Barragán 1421, Olímpica, Guadalajara
Cost: Free
Attend one of the world’s largest International Book Fairs
Guadalajara’s Book Fair (FIL), the world’s second most important book fair after Frankfurt’s book fair, is back for its 39th edition, featuring Barcelona as its guest of honor. Under the slogan “Barcelona and Guadalajara flourish together,” the fair will feature 3,000 activities and host 1,500 publishers from 40 countries. With activities directed to adults and children alike, this is a must-visit event for literature lovers in Guadalajara.
Date: Nov. 29 – Dec. 7
Location: Expo Guadalajara: Av. Mariano Otero 1599, Col. Verde Valle, Guadalajara
Cost: Starting at 40 pesos
Gabriela Solis is a Mexican lawyer turned full-time writer. She was born and raised in Guadalajara and covers business, culture, lifestyle and travel for Mexico News Daily. You can follow her lifestyle blog Dunas y Palmeras.
