Are you looking to do something different and exciting this year for Halloween? If so, then come to Puerto Vallarta, where you can enjoy two celebrations combined into one, Halloween and the Day of the Dead, which although they are two different traditions, both are a way to honor those who have passed away.
Mexico is famous for its traditions; his way of seeing life and all its stages, including death. One of the most beloved celebrations is the day of the dead, a festival full of color, food and celebration, where loved ones who are no longer with us are honored. Discover everything that Puerto Vallarta has to offer you on these dates.
Halloween night
Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Mexico in recent years. This day dedicated to fun, pranks, and dress-up is now the second most celebrated holiday in the United States.
This is the time of year when children and adults dress up in scary or funny costumes and have a good time trick or treating or attend costume parties.
Candy has become an important part of the tradition, as in most American cities children go from door to door yelling, “Trick or Treat”, waiting to receive candy in their bucket.
Why do we celebrate Halloween on October 31?
The celebration takes place on October 31 because it is the day on which the Celtic year ends. Life was divided into two stages: one of light (spring and summer) and another of darkness (autumn and winter).
The Celts believed that on the night of the 31st the borders between the real world and the 'beyond' were broken and the deceased reappeared to walk among the living.
There is a theory that the current tradition of dressing up for Halloween may allude to those practices in which the Celts wore costumes and masks to intimidate and ward off evil spirits.
Day of the Dead
November 02 is a special date in Mexico. This day is called the Day of the Dead and it is the day that families and friends gather to celebrate and honor their loved ones who have passed away.
Special commemorative altars are made for relatives who have already passed away, decorated and covered with marigolds, candles, photographs and objects that the deceased once loved. You can see these extraordinary altars in schools, churches, cemeteries and houses throughout Mexico. This is a special day for Mexicans.
The offerings have significant elements that give life to the altar, and are the following:
- Placing a candle is used to illuminate the return path of souls to what was their home when they were alive.
- The sugar or chocolate skulls represent the deceased.
- The bread of the dead refers to his skeleton.
- The water means the purity of the soul, in addition to eliminating the thirst of the deceased.
In this celebration death does not represent an absence but a living presence; death is a symbol of life that materializes in the offered altar.
How is the Day of the Dead born?
Its origin is located in the harmony between the celebration of Catholic religious rituals brought by the Spanish and the commemoration of the Day of the Dead that the indigenous people carried out since pre-Hispanic times.
The celebration of the Day of the Dead takes place on November 1 and 2 since it is divided into categories: According to the Catholic calendar, November 1 corresponds to All Saints, a day dedicated to the "little dead" or children, and on November 2 to the Faithful Departed, that is, to adults.
How to celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead in Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is an ideal place to celebrate Halloween. Children also dress up to go trick-or-treating on the boardwalk. Adults celebrate in bars and restaurants and attend fun parties. And the locals not only celebrate Halloween, but also the Day of the Dead, so the party lasts more than one night.
In the Cultural Center La Lija there are projections of films related to the Day of the Dead. You cannot forget to take a walk along the boardwalk to enjoy the Paseo de las Catrinas, you will see large skeletons dressed in a colorful and different way.
After a quiet walk along the boardwalk, watch the sunset and discover the Mexican culture regarding the day of the dead. It's time to bring out the devil, angel or sorcerer that you have inside and take him to enjoy a great party!
Clubs and costume parties
Halloween is a party that has become popular in Mexico, and as good tourist destination We welcome friends from all over the world! So prepare your best costume and come celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead with us.
There are many places that offer prizes for the best costume that attends; these range from bottles and courtesies, to cash.
Have fun this Halloween, welcome the spirits and live with them in Puerto Vallarta.
