12 ‘megaofrendas’ to visit this weekend in Mexico

Every year, as part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, towns across Mexico are decorated with marigolds, candles and sugar skulls to honor the lives of the dead.

Ofrendas – altars for the dead – are made with brightly colored powders and papel picado (decorative tissue paper) and are decorated with photos of deceased loved ones and their favorite foods and drinks.

In addition to the household ofrendas that light up at night on November 1, several Mexican cities build giant ofrendas in their main plazas at this time of year. Here are some megaofrendas you can visit across Mexico this weekend.

Mexico City

Mexico City’s central Zócalo Square becomes one gigantic ofrenda with larger-than-life statues catrinas – skeletal figures – inspired by the Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada.

The lighting ceremony will take place on October 30 at 7pm and the ofrenda will be on display until November 3.

Mexico City is host to several other megaofrendas, including one at the Anahuacalli Museumwho is celebrating his 60the anniversary and dedicated to the founder Diego Rivera. This ofrenda opens to the public on October 30 at 6 p.m. and can be visited until December 1.

Every year, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) proudly displays a huge ofrenda at the Explanada de Universum. This year it will be open to the public from November 1 to 3 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Alternatively, you can go to the east of the city at the Panteón de Dolores cemetery, there will be a special ofrenda dedicated to deceased pets between November 1 and 3. The cemetery is open between 8am and 5pm, but it is advisable to visit early as the gates close promptly at 5pm.

San Miguel de Allende

Several ofrendas will be on display in the colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, during the Day of the Dead, the largest of which can be found in the San Rafael neighborhood from 9 a.m. on November 1, founded by the community organization Yo Amo Mi Barrio.

The city also hosts a variety of associated free events in key locations and neighborhoods across the city.

Merida

In Mérida, Yucatán, the city hall erected a gigantic altar in the main square on October 26 as part of the Festival de las Animas 2024. The ofrenda is 15 meters long and six meters high and will be open to visitors until November 2. There will also be a full schedule of holiday festivities taking place through November 8.

Querétaro

Just two hours north of Mexico City, in Querétaro, is the government building a megaofrenda in the center of Plaza de Armas, dedicated to the police who died on duty. There will also be decorations in several central squares and streets of the city.

Puerto Vallarta/Bahía de Banderas

In Puerto Vallarta. the municipal council was established on the west coast of Mexico a gigantic catrina on the promenade to celebrate the Day of the Dead, with a height of 25 meters.

A huge ofrenda titled Magic Cemetery will also be on display in the Plaza Publica de Valle de Banderaswhere visitors can find fantastic tombs, mausoleums and decorated animal statues (alebrijes) and giant skulls.

Oaxaca

Oaxaca attracts thousands of tourists every year to celebrate the Day of the Dead. This year you can find a giant altar to the dead at the Government Palace in Oaxaca City, open all week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A total of 700 pots of marigolds will adorn the building, along with candles to guide the way.

El Día de Muertos 💀🏵 there is disfruta in Puerto Vallarta with the rest of the Catrinas, even a celebrar of this tradition and new costas! 🏖🕯 Gastronomía, folk en el mejor ambiente te esperan. #JaliscoEsMexico pic.twitter.com/cdQMQykF7V

— Jalisco Es México (@JaliscoEsMexico) October 22, 2024

Patzcuaro

Another of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations for the Day of the Dead is Pátzcuaro in Michoacán.

The city is known for its elaborate decorations and traditional celebrations. This year, a giant ofrenda will take place in the central Vasco de Quiroga Square, with celebrations starting at 5pm on October 30 and continuing until the night of November 3.

Aguascalientes

In Aguascalientes, the Cultural Institute of Aguascalientes inaugurated the Day of the Dead ofrenda on October 25 and visitors can admire the altar all week.

This year the ofrenda on the 50th is dedicated to the famous Mexican muralist David Alfaro Siqueirose anniversary of his death.

With reports from N+, Donde Ir, Chilango, Milenio, Periodico Correo, 24 Horas Yucatan, Meridian, Ri Oaxaca, Mi Morelia And El Sol del Centro