What We Know So Far About Festival de las Ánimas 2025

Videomapping at La Ermita added to the Hanal Pixan extravaganza

Mérida’s beloved Festival de las Ánimas is getting a major makeover this year. Mérida officials announced exciting new features for the 2025 celebration, which runs October 25 through November 2 at venues throughout the Yucatecan capital.

The festival celebrates Hanal Pixán, the region’s unique take on Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions. Unlike celebrations elsewhere in Mexico, Yucatán’s version blends ancient Maya beliefs with colonial influences, creating a distinctly local flavor that draws visitors from around the world.

New Features Transform the Experience

This year’s festival introduces several innovations designed to wow both locals and tourists. The centerpiece is the “Portal del Inframundo” (Underworld Portal), a dramatic illuminated archway with laser projections symbolizing the journey to the afterlife.

Visitors will also witness stunning videomapping at the Ermita de Santa Isabel, featuring imagery that tells stories from Maya cosmology and the traditional Hanal Pixán celebration. A second projection will focus on water as a sacred element.

The streets themselves become part of the show, with aerial decorations and themed alleyways creating an immersive atmosphere throughout the historic center.

Cemetery Takes Center Stage

The Cementerio General remains a focal point of the festival. After the traditional “salida de las ánimas” (departure of the souls), visitors can take illuminated cultural tours through the cemetery’s colorful crypts and elaborate monuments.

For the first time, festival organizers are creating a special zone designed specifically for young people, recognizing the need to engage new generations in these time-honored traditions.

Mayor Cecilia Patrón Laviada emphasized the festival’s community focus during the announcement. “We want culture, art and our traditions to reach every corner of Mérida,” she said. “This festival will also extend to our rural communities. No one should miss this magical experience.”

Infrastructure Improvements Support Growth

The city is investing in infrastructure to support the expanded celebration. Workers are renovating the area around the Ermita de Santa Isabel, reinforcing the base beneath the original cobblestones. The project will be completed by October 22, ensuring the historic plaza is ready for festival events.

The traditional Paseo de las Ánimas parade will wind through the cemetery and historic neighborhoods before ending at Parque de San Juan. This year, the park will stay decorated with lights and figures for an entire month, allowing more people to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Economic Impact Growing

The festival’s expansion reflects Mexico’s broader Day of the Dead tourism boom. Consumer spending during Day of the Dead celebrations nationwide reached 45.3 billion pesos (US $2.3 billion) in 2024, representing a 10% increase from the previous year.

Mérida officials are capitalizing on this trend with a promotional push in Mexico City on September 23, where they’ll present the Festival de las Ánimas alongside the Mérida Marathon and Mérida Fest to national media and tourism representatives.

Community Participation Encouraged

The festival emphasizes citizen participation. Residents interested in joining the parade of souls or setting up traditional altars can contact the city’s Dirección de Desarrollo Social y Combate a la Pobreza through social media.

Mayor Patrón Laviada stressed that participants must come fully costumed in traditional attire with appropriate face paint, ensuring the celebration maintains its cultural significance. Face-painting stations will be set up along the parade route for last-minute touch-ups.

All festival activities are free, reflecting the city’s commitment to making cultural celebrations accessible to everyone. The complete schedule will be announced through official city channels as the dates approach.

The festival represents more than just entertainment, according to the mayor. “This isn’t just about culture,” she noted. “It’s about social cohesion, security and community life. A city that celebrates its roots and lives them in community is a stronger and safer city.”

If You Go

• When: October 25 – November 2, 2025
• Where: Various locations throughout Mérida, centered on Cementerio General, Ermita de Santa Isabel, and Parque de San Juan
• Cost: All events are free
• Getting there: Most events are within walking distance in Mérida’s historic center

Where to Stay

• CIGNO Hotel Boutique – Adults Only – Calle 66 No. 593, Barrio de la Ermita, a 5-star boutique hotel right in La Ermita neighborhood with rooftop pool and elegant restored 19th-century architecture
• Mérida Santiago Hotel Boutique – Calle 74-A No. 499, Santiago, a 4-star property with outdoor pool and excellent restaurant, just steps from Santiago Park
• Hostal La Ermita – Calle 77 #528A, a budget-friendly option with garden and pool, located just 5 minutes’ walk from the Paseo de las Ánimas route