Día de Muertos is Nov 1–2, 2026. The CDMX parade moved to June this year — here's where to find ofrendas, marigold markets and pan de muerto instead.
Something different happened in Mexico City in 2026. The famous Día de Muertos parade, the giant skeletons and marigold floats on Paseo de la Reforma, was moved to June 13 so World Cup visitors could see it. If you're planning a trip for the real holiday on November 1–2, don't expect that parade this year.
That turns out to be good news. The parade has only been running since 2016, inspired by the opening scene of a James Bond film. Día de Muertos itself is far older. It lives in family altars, market stalls piled with cempasúchil (marigolds), and candlelit cemeteries, and all of that is still happening this November.
Families build ofrendas, layered altars covered in photos of the departed, their favourite foods and drinks, candles, sugar skulls and marigolds. The flower's scent and colour are said to guide souls home. November 1 traditionally honours children who have died, and November 2 honours adults. In the days around them, the whole city smells of copal incense and fresh pan de muerto.
Our Mexico City Street Eats wheel is built around the Centro Histórico, which is where much of the season's public ofrenda-building happens. Let it pick your route.
Zócalo, the National Palace & the Metropolitan Cathedral. The main square has hosted giant public ofrendas in recent years. Even outside the holiday, it's the heart of the city, and the cathedral is worth exploring.
Templo Mayor Museum. The ruins of the Aztec capital's main temple, steps from the Zócalo. Many Día de Muertos customs grew out of Aztec rituals for the dead, so this is the deep-history stop.
Mercado de San Juan. Go here for the ingredients that end up on altars. In late October expect seasonal sweets, fruit and some of the most adventurous food stalls in the city.
Churrería El Moro. The classic churros-and-chocolate stop since 1935. In the days before November 1, bakeries across the city switch to pan de muerto, the sugared bun topped with dough "bones". Try it with hot chocolate.
Casa de los Azulejos & Café de Tacuba. A blue-tiled 18th-century palace and a century-old café, both lovely places to sit and watch the decorations go up.
Alameda Central & Museo Franz Mayer. Stroll the park, then step into the museum's quiet courtyard. Museums and plazas across the city put up their own altars in the first days of November.
Plaza Garibaldi. Mariachis gather here every night. A serenade is a very Mexico City way to remember someone.
For the candlelit cemetery vigils, many travellers head south to San Andrés Mixquic in Tláhuac, the best-known spot for overnight cemetery gatherings on November 1–2. Go with a local guide, arrive early, and remember these are family gatherings first: ask before you take photos.
Want more range? Our Mexico City Wanderlust wheel adds Coyoacán's market, Chapultepec Castle and the Museo Nacional de Antropología. Coyoacán in particular goes all-out with neighbourhood altars.
Spin "Mexico City Street Eats" on SpinQuest — let the wheel pick your first stop, then spin again when you're ready for the next.
#Día de Muertos 2026 #Day of the Dead Mexico City #Mexico City November #ofrendas Mexico City #pan de muerto #Mexico City street food