Day of the dead parade in mexico city 2025

Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City 2025: everything you need to know

Mexico City’s Day of the Dead Parade is a display of color, tradition, and art that attracts thousands of spectators every year—locals and tourists alike—who come to experience one of the most vibrant expressions of Mexican culture.

Here’s everything you need to know about this major event, including the route, history, participants, why it’s unmissable, and what else to visit in Mexico City during Day of the Dead.

Where does the parade take place?

In 2025, the Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 2:00 p.m., along some of the capital’s most iconic avenues. It starts at Puerta de los Leones in Chapultepec Park, continues along Paseo de la Reforma—one of the city’s main thoroughfares—and ends at the Zócalo, Mexico’s historic heart. The route is approximately 8 km long and offers multiple vantage points. The parade is expected to last between 4 and 5 hours.

Paseo de la Reforma, known for its historical importance and monumental architecture, becomes the stage for themed floats, troupes, and light‑and‑sound shows.

As mentioned, the route ends at the Zócalo, where complementary activities such as concerts, exhibitions, and ofrendas take place—creating a festive atmosphere that spreads throughout the city. It’s absolutely a spectacle you shouldn’t miss.

The first Day of the Dead Parade in Mexico City

The first edition was held in 2016, and its origin is curiously linked to cinema. In 2015, the James Bond movie Spectre included a memorable sequence filmed in Mexico City’s Historic Center, depicting a fictional Day of the Dead parade with giant skulls, catrinas, and icons of Mexican culture. The scene captured the public’s imagination in Mexico and abroad, sparking interest in having a similar real‑life event.

Responding to the demand and excitement, Mexico City’s government organized the first official parade the following year. It was a resounding success, bringing together thousands of people and establishing a new tradition in the capital. Since then, the parade has become an annual event, growing in scale and creativity with each edition.

Parade participants

The parade involves cultural institutions, theater and dance companies, and artist collectives that design and create the impressive floats, costumes, and decorative elements.

It is also a space for indigenous communities and cultural groups from different regions to showcase their own traditions for honoring the dead. You’ll see traditional dances, regional music, and ancestral rituals that bring authenticity and cultural diversity to the event.

Highlights include giant papier‑mâché skulls, catrinas, alebrijes, and towering puppets marching to Mexican music.

Why the parade is unmissable

This parade blends the traditional with the contemporary. It’s unique because:

• It showcases Mexico’s cultural richness, showing how Day of the Dead traditions evolve while preserving their essence.
• Each year brings new themes, float designs, and costumes that are true works of art.
• Families, friends, and tourists line the route, celebrating both remembrance and life.
• It reflects Mexico’s diversity, featuring representations from many regions and cultures.

Other activities during Day of the Dead in Mexico City

Beyond the parade, you can enjoy many activities—easiest if you use car rental in Mexico City with Hertz Mexico. Highlights include:

Monumental ofrendas

The Zócalo and other public spaces host monumental ofrendas—altars dedicated to historic figures, artists, and community members. They’re a prime example of Mexican folk art and the bond between the living and the dead.

Museums and exhibitions

Museums like the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Dolores Olmedo Museum present special exhibits featuring folk art, sugar skulls, and other expressions tied to the celebration.

Night tours

Join night tours through emblematic places such as San Fernando Cemetery or Chapultepec Park, where guides narrate legends and spooky tales tied to Day of the Dead.

Traditional markets

During this season, traditional markets like Jamaica and Coyoacán fill with marigolds, pan de muerto, sugar skulls, and more. Visit them to dive into tradition and pick up authentic items.

As you can see, the city offers an incredible experience during Day of the Dead. Plan ahead, enjoy the parade, and explore with Hertz Mexico’s car rental to move freely across the city.