Mérida ·
Mérida's Festival de las Ánimas 2026: dates and program
Mérida's Festival de las Ánimas runs this year from 24 October to 2 November, under the theme "Recuerdos de corazón" (memories of the heart). The Paseo de las Ánimas is on Friday 30 October and the Catrina Parade on Saturday 31. More than 200,000 visitors are expected.
What is happening
Mérida holds the Festival de las Ánimas from Saturday 24 October to Monday 2 November. It is the city's version of Hanal Pixán, which in Maya means "food of the souls" and is the Yucatecan form of Day of the Dead. This year's theme is "Recuerdos de corazón".
According to Diario de Yucatán, more than 200,000 visitors are expected, along with more than a thousand people in costume and more than 300 altars. The altars, marigolds, music and traditional food are the heart of the festival.
Traditionally, Yucatecan families prepare their altars between 31 October and 2 November, which is why the festival ends on that date. The Ánimas iluminadas figures stay lit until 20 November, so anyone who misses the festival can still see them afterwards.
Mérida's city government organizes the festival. Karla Berrón Cámara, the city's director of identity and culture, described it as an effort by the whole administration, as reported by Riviera Maya News.
The program, day by day
Saturday 24 October: the festival opens with the Ánimas iluminadas in Parque de San Juan, more than 15 giant figures inspired by Yucatecan culture that stay lit until 20 November. From 24 to 27 October there are night tours of the Cementerio General at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 pm, with limited places and advance sign-up.
Sunday 25: the Feria del Mucbipollo in Parque de San Sebastián. Mucbipollo is the big tamal baked underground, the signature dish of Hanal Pixán. That day there is also a pet costume contest, the Pixán Pet, in the Parque Central in Ciudad Caucel.
Wednesday 28: the Rodada de Ánimas, a bike ride that leaves from Parque de la Ermita. Thursday 29: the Pixán Paalal, activities for children in Parque de Chuburná.
Friday 30: the Paseo de las Ánimas, the biggest event of the festival. It runs from 6 to 11 at night along a route of more than 2 kilometres that, according to Riviera Maya News, leaves the Cementerio General and heads for Parque de San Juan. Expect altars, food stalls and face painting.
Saturday 31: the Desfile de Catrinas, from the Plaza Grande to Parque de La Plancha. Riviera Maya News gives 8 at night as the start time.
What it means if you live here
The Paseo de las Ánimas and the Catrina Parade fill the streets with people, and with more than 200,000 visitors expected over ten days, it makes sense to plan for traffic and crowds in the Centro and near the Cementerio General on those two days.
The sources we checked do not mention street closures. Before you head out, look at the Mérida city government's notices to see where the route runs and which streets close.
It is also a season of remembering. For many Yucatecan families Hanal Pixán is an intimate date, with altars at home and visits to the cemetery. The festival is the public side of something that is lived in private.
How to take part
If you want to enter the Cementerio General on the nights of 24 to 27 October, sign up in advance: places are limited. Pick your time slot early, because there are five departures a night.
For the Paseo de las Ánimas, arrive early if you want to see the start. If you plan to photograph people in costume, ask first: for many it is an act of remembrance, not a show.
If you are going with children, the Pixán Paalal on Thursday 29 is made for them. And if you want to try the seasonal food, the Feria del Mucbipollo on Sunday 25 is a good chance, with the tamal fresh out of the ground.
Dates and times can change. The full program is published by Mérida's city government, and it is worth checking the week of the festival.
