Tradition
Altars, offerings, marigolds, candles, and symbols that connect with personal and collective remembrance.
About the Festival
Festival of Life and Death 2026
The 20th edition of the Festival of Life and Death will welcome Guanajuato as its guest state. Join this celebration and discover its traditions, music, gastronomy, folk art, and cultural expressions, reflecting the richness and diversity of Mexico.
Where Memory, Art, and Celebration Come Together
Celebrate Day of the Dead in the Riviera Maya at Xcaret and experience the return of the souls from October 30 to November 2!
Oct 30 – Nov 2
Festival Dates
Xcaret
Main Venue
Art + Tradition
Cultural Experience
What unites the festival
Four ways to experience the tradition
Art
Live performances, music, dance, theater, and visual arts inspired by Day of the Dead.
Cuisine
Seasonal flavors, regional specialties, and culinary experiences that enrich the celebration.
Community
A gathering place where visitors, artists, families, and tradition bearers come together.
The meaning of the festival
Activities
Xcaret once again becomes the host of different artistic expressions to celebrate Day of the Dead in the Riviera Maya. In its 20th edition, the Festival of Life and Death invites you to experience a journey through memory, tradition, and Mexico’s cultural richness, with Guanajuato as the guest state and a program featuring theater, music, dance, exhibitions, workshops, altars, and gastronomy.
Venues
Secondary Venues
In addition to the activities at Xcaret Park from October 30 to November 2, the Festival of Life and Death will extend its celebration to Hotel Xcaret México, Hotel Xcaret Arte, and La Casa de la Playa from October 29 to November 2. As part of the special program, The Opera Locos will also be presented at the Teatro de Cancún on November 4.
Getting Here
How to Get to the Festival?
To attend the festival, you can arrive in your own car and enjoy free parking. Xcaret Park is located at km 282 of the Chetumal-Puerto Juárez Highway, just minutes from Playa del Carmen. You can also check the available transportation options from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to experience this celebration.
Experience This Tradition at Xcaret
Celebrate Day of the Dead with altars, music, theater, traditional cuisine, and cultural experiences.