Festival de las Animas: Everything you need to know
With Dia de Los Muertos — or Hanal Pixán, as it is known in Yucatán — just a couple of weeks away. Mérida’s City Hall has announced a slate of events featuring processions, cultural events, movie screenings, food fairs, pet adoption drives, and lots more.
Check out the full event calendar below and start to plan ahead, as some of these events are likely to exceed capacity.
We have also created a PDF in English listing all the activities for you to download here.
Related: The difference between Day of the Dead and Hanal Pixan
Monday, Oct. 24
The Festival de las Animas, or Festival of Souls, will kick off with a photography exhibit in Mérida’s Plaza Grande. The exhibition will feature images celebrating Yucatán’s Hanal Pixán days gone by.
8 p.m. – 10 p.m., Plaza Grande (main square)
Tuesday, Oct. 25
Presentation of exhibit Waya´k Pixáno’ob by local artist, Alejandro Poot Molina, in honor of the 200th anniversary of Mérida’s Cementerio General, Mérida’s largest cemetery.
10 a.m. – 10 p.m., José Martí Library, Parque de las Américas
Reading of traditional folk legends by Jorge Moreno, featuring stories of mythical figures including Aluxes and the Xtabay.
8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Cortés Sarmiento Park
Wednesday, Oct. 26
Guided tour of Mérida’s largest and arguably most impressive cemetery, the Cementerio General. The tour will include visits to selected mausoleums.
9 p.m. – 11 p.m., Cementerio General.
Traditional bicycle ride of souls with the Cicloturixes cycling club. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own bikes and wear traditional costumes and/or face paint.
9 p.m. – 11 p.m., – Beginning at Santa Ana Park and ending at Mérida’s Cementerio General
Thursday, Oct. 27 through Wednesday, Nov. 2
Presentation of Mérida’s massive Hanal Pixán altar, measuring over 50 feet.
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Plaza Grande (main square)
Guided tour of the massive altar with explanations of its symbology offered in Spanish, Mayan, and English.
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 28
Annual Paseo de las Ánimas procession through several of Mérida’s neighborhoods including San Sebastián and La Ermita. This is one of the largest and most attended events of the Hanal Pixán cultural calendar so make sure to arrive early if you want to get a good spot to view the procession.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 29
Pixán Pee’k (dog in Yucatec-Maya) costume contest for dogs and exhibition of altars dedicated to dearly departed canines. The event will also promote the adoption of dogs from local shelters.
6 p.m. – 10 p.m., San Sebastian Park
Reenactment of the Pok Ta Pok Mayan ritual ceremony also known as the Mesoamerican ballgame where two teams of “players” faced off, often with fatal consequences.
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., in front of Mérida’s Cathedral
Leyendas del Mayab contemporary circus.
8 p.m. – 9 p.m – Santa Ana Park
Traditional day of the dead Catarinas parade and performances featuring elaborate costumes and live music. 8:30 p.m. – 11 p.m., starting on Calle 63 with 60 towards the Remate
Sunday, Oct. 30
Hanal Pixán themed biciruta along paseo de Montejo.
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Paseo de Montejo, Plaza Grande, La Ermita
Mucbipollo fair featuring the sale of Yucatán’s most iconic Hanal Pixán meal which resembles a giant tamale. The festival will also feature live music and presenters in costume.
8 a.m. – 8 p.m., San Sebastian Park
Mérida en Domingo themed “Pixánitos en Domingo” street market and festival featuring live music, performances, as well as handcraft and food stalls.
Noon – 3 p.m., Plaza Grande
Bicycle tour of the “ghost town” of Misnebalam, near the highway to Progreso. Tour is five miles long and includes the use of a bicycle and helmet. For reservations call: 9993-58-62-50.
5:20 and 7:50 p.m., Hacienda Xcunyá
Musical performance themed around the Disney animated feature Coco.
7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Parque de Las Américas
Monday, Oct. 31
Bicycle tour of the “ghost town” of Misnebalam, near the highway to Progreso. Tour is five miles long and includes the use of a bicycle and helmet. For reservations call 999-358-6250.
5:20 and 7:50 p.m., Hacienda Xcunyá
Noche de Ánimas (Night of Souls,) at La Isla Shopping Mall featuring several attractions.
6 p.m. – 9 p.m., Las Isla shopping mall
Outdoor screening of the Disney film “Coco.”
8 p.m., Vicente Solis Park
Mérida’s traditional Vaqueria, themed around the Day of the Dead.
9 p.m. – 10 p.m., Mérida City Hall
Tuesday, Nov. 1
Opportunity to place offerings at Méridas monumental Hánal Pixán Altar in memory of loved ones.
9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Movie screening at the park of the Disney film “Coco.”
8 p.m., Cholul municipal hall
Bicycle tour of the “ghost town” of Misnebalam, near the highway to Progreso. Tour is 5 miles long and includes the use of a bicycle and helmet. For reservations call 999-358-6250.
5:20 and 7:50 p.m., Hacienda Xcunyá
Wednesday, Nov. 2
A second chance to place offerings at Mérida’s monumental Hánal Pixán altar in memory of loved ones. 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., Plaza Grande
Screening at the park of the Disney film “Coco.”
8 p.m. – Cancha de Usos Múltiples at Caucel
Bicycle tour of the “ghost town” of Misnebalam, near the highway to Progreso. Tour is five miles long and includes the use of a bicycle and helmet. For reservations call: 999-358-6250.
5:20 and 7:50 p.m., Hacienda Xcunyá
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht is a Mexican expedition/Canadian photographer, adventure leader, and PhD candidate. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds multimedia, philosophy, and translation degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada and Norway.
