Day of the dead 2025 in oaxaca: route to live the experience
Day of the Dead 2025 in Oaxaca: Road Routes to See Altars, Carpets, and Cemeteries Full of Tradition
Oaxaca is one of the most representative destinations to experience Day of the Dead in Mexico. Each year, from October 31 to November 2, streets, homes, cemeteries, and communities transform with altars, sawdust carpets, candles, marigold flowers, and traditions. Planning a road trip to explore these rituals is an excellent way to immerse yourself in this ancestral festivity.
Besides giving you schedule freedom and mobility, a road trip lets you visit both Oaxaca City and nearby towns where customs have been preserved for generations. If you don’t have a car, don’t worry! Car rental is the perfect solution. Choose Hertz Mexico to start this adventure.
How is Day of the Dead Celebrated in Oaxaca?
The celebration of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca has pre-Hispanic roots. Since ancient times, the state’s indigenous peoples have honored death as part of the life cycle. This worldview blends today with Catholic elements, creating a unique tradition that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Day of the Dead in Oaxaca is celebrated with community rituals that include setting up altars, visiting cemeteries, prayers, traditional food, and a festive atmosphere that honors the departed with music, colors, and art. In homes, traditional Oaxaca offerings feature pan de muerto, fruit, tamales, mole, mezcal, photos, and personal belongings of the deceased.
It’s also common to see parades and processions through the streets, where neighbors dress in traditional costumes or death-themed outfits, creating an environment that celebrates life through remembrance.
How is Day of the Dead Celebrated Throughout Oaxaca State?
While celebrations in the capital are intense, the most interesting aspect is that each town has its own way of paying tribute to its dead. This is why experiencing Day of the Dead in Oaxaca means visiting multiple communities. Some stand out for their monumental altars; others, for their carpets, music, or cemetery atmosphere.
With car rental in Oaxaca, you can explore these towns without relying on public transportation or fixed-tour itineraries. You’ll have the flexibility to make spontaneous stops, talk with locals, and enjoy the experience your way.
What Route to Take for Day of the Dead in Oaxaca by Car?
Here’s a suggested route by car to experience the best of Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, combining the city, nearby towns, and scenic roads. You can start in Oaxaca City and head in different directions depending on your schedule and interests.
Oaxaca City: altars, carpets, and parades
Your starting point should be the city’s historic center. Here, days before the holiday, you’ll find altars in plazas, public buildings, hotels, and markets. During this period, it’s common to admire Day of the Dead carpets in Oaxaca, made from sawdust, flowers, and natural pigments, transforming the streets into ephemeral works of art.
The neighborhoods of Jalatlaco and Xochimilco burst with color and activities. There are workshops, altar competitions, concerts, and nighttime tours. Traditional clothing also takes center stage: many women wear embroidered huipiles and shawls, while men and children paint their faces as skulls.
At night, you can join one of the parades—festive processions with brass band music, costumes, and dancing. This is one of the most joyful ways to celebrate Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.
Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán: illuminated cemeteries
Just 15 minutes by car from the center lies Xoxocotlán, famous for its cemeteries. Starting the night of October 31, families gather to watch over their dead with candles, flowers, food, and music. The atmosphere is moving: there is silence and reflection, but also joy and community.
San Agustín Etla: community carpets and offerings
About 30 minutes north, San Agustín Etla offers a unique visual experience. Here, Day of the Dead carpets take on intricate forms depicting religious scenes, skulls, landscapes, and more.
San Pablo Villa de Mitla: ancestral tradition
Mitla, an hour’s drive east, is a must-visit not only for its archaeological remains but also for its deep spiritual connection to the cult of the dead.
Teotitlán del Valle: custom and textile art
To finish your road trip, visit Teotitlán del Valle, 40 minutes from the city. This Zapotec town is known for its weaving, but also for preserving a traditional way of celebrating Day of the Dead in Oaxaca.