Halloween and Día de Muertos / Janal Pixan 2025
You’re probably already familiar with Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead), one of Mexico’s most beloved traditions—but Janal Pixán, its Mayan counterpart from the Yucatán Peninsula, might be new to you. While both celebrations honor loved ones who have passed away, they reflect different cultural roots and customs. Below, we’ll define each and highlight some of their key similarities and differences to help you appreciate how these beautiful traditions coexist within Mexican and Mayan culture.
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a traditional Mexican celebration on November 1st and 2nd that honors the memory of deceased loved ones with colorful altars, marigolds, candles, and favorite foods to welcome their spirits home.
Janal Pixán, meaning “food for the souls” in the Mayan language, is an ancestral Yucatec tradition that honors departed family members through special meals, offerings, and prayers deeply rooted in Mayan culture.
Top 5 Similarities Between Día de Muertos and Janal Pixán
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Honoring the Dead:
Both Día de Muertos and Janal Pixán are sacred traditions that honor the memory of deceased loved ones, reflecting Mexico’s deep respect for family, ancestry, and spiritual connection beyond death. -
Altars and Offerings:
In both celebrations, families create altars (ofrendas) decorated with candles, flowers, photos, and food to welcome the souls of the departed back home. These offerings represent love, remembrance, and continuity between generations. -
Spiritual Beliefs About Returning Souls:
Both traditions share the belief that the spirits of the dead return to visit the living during this time. Families prepare their homes and communities to receive these souls through prayer, food, and celebration. -
Use of Traditional Foods:
Food plays a central role in both Día de Muertos and Janal Pixán. From pan de muerto and atole in central Mexico to mucbipollo (pib) in the Yucatán, traditional dishes are prepared to nourish and honor the spirits. -
Celebration of Life and Cultural Identity:
Both traditions celebrate life rather than mourn death, blending Indigenous beliefs and Mexican culture to strengthen family bonds and preserve the country’s ancestral heritage.
Top 5 Differences Between Día de Muertos and Janal Pixán:
- Cultural Origin: Día de Muertos combines Indigenous and Catholic traditions across Mexico, while Janal Pixán comes directly from ancient Mayan spirituality and customs.
- Spiritual Focus: Día de Muertos celebrates and remembers the lives of the deceased, whereas Janal Pixán focuses on feeding and caring for the visiting souls to maintain balance between the living and the dead.
- Dates and Duration: Día de Muertos is observed nationally on November 1st and 2nd, while Janal Pixán often begins on October 31st and continues through early November in Yucatán communities.
- Offerings and Traditional Foods: Día de Muertos altars include pan de muerto, sugar skulls, and papel picado, while Janal Pixán features Mayan dishes such as mucbipollo (pib), prepared underground as part of the sacred ritual.
- Regional Practice: Día de Muertos is celebrated throughout Mexico and recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, while Janal Pixán is unique to the Yucatán Peninsula and preserves living Mayan heritage.
Prepping for Halloween and Día de Muertos/Janal Pixán
If you’re looking for candy, piñatas, and party decorations, look no further than Dulce Fiesta del Puerto in the mercadito on Zetina in the colonia. Many of the fruterias around town will also have Day of the Dead supplies like papel picado, marigolds, copal incense, and alfeñiques (creative figurines made with sugar).
Want to give back to the community? Buy candy and drop it off at either La Sirena or Lighthouse Tours before 10/31 so that it can be passed out to kids on Halloween!
AnnStudio is offering professional makeup for Day of the Dead, starting at $250 MXN. Available Mon-Sat 11am-8pm, Sun from 10am-4pm. Book now via WhatsApp at wa.link/annstudio
Official Events hosted by the Municipality
FESTIVAL ALMA Y RAÍZ
Leona Vicario
Where the soul returns and the roots bloom
Janal Pixán 2025
PROGRAM
Thursday, October 30
6:00 PM – Meet at the Municipal Cemetery in the town center
6:30 PM – Start of the Procession of Souls
7:00 PM – Arrival of the procession at the park (they head to the kiosk for the municipal altar)
7:10 PM – Mayan ceremony at the municipal altar (located at the kiosk)
7:20 PM – Message from the President
7:30 PM – Start of the cultural event
7:30 PM – Start of the altar contest (judges’ tour)
8:35 PM – Start of the Catrinas contest (1st round)
9:20 PM – Catrinas contest (2nd round)
9:40 PM – Message from the Municipal Delegate
10:00 PM – Awards ceremony for the winners of the different contests
10:30 PM – End of the event
Una Cuadra Una Tradición is teaming up with the city for their FREE 7th Annual Altar Route event, which will now offer the Muerto Bus to take people past all of the participating altars. You can sign up to create/host an altar at your home, by contacting Una Cuadra (see flyers and map below for more details). The event will be held from 6-10pm on Nov 1st and Nov 2nd with bus routes leaving the park in the colonia at 6pm and 8pm. RSVP to Una Cuadra now at +52-998-414-1275 to ensure you’ll get a seat! You’re also welcome to tour the altars on your own if that’s more your speed.
OTHER HALLOWEEN & DAY OF THE DEAD EVENTS ARRANGED BY DATE
- La Sirena is creating a brand new Day of the Dead event called “Entre Dos Mundos“ or “Between Two Worlds”, which runs at 7pm from Oct 29-Nov 2. Their events are always top notch, so we’re really excited to see the cultural show that they are preparing for us! Buy tickets now as they are sure to sell out! La Sirena is also hosting their annual Halloween party starting at 8pm on 10/31, which is always a blast!!
- Kaans Puerto Morelos is holding a costume contest at 9am on Thursday 10/30.
- Casa de la Cultura will be installing a Day of the Dead altar at the Centro Cultural y Museo de Puerto Morelos on 11/1 from 3-5pm and then from 5-9pm it will be open to the public. It will also be available on 11/2 from 10am-6pm.
- Maria Bonita is hosting a karaoke night on 11/1 starting at 7pm. RSVP your table in advance to save your spot – the $399 MXN cost of reserving your table will be returned to you in food and beverage. They have prizes for the best costume.
- Micheladas is also having a Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday 11/1.
- Raíces Marinas and Casa Cervecera Manglares are hosting a Spooky Sea-themed Halloween Party on Saturday, Nov 1 at 6pm. They’ll have a community ofrenda (feel free to bring a photo or item to add), a Day of the Dead themed poetry contest, and a sea-themed costume competition (you can go dressed as anything, but only sea related costumes can participate in the contest). MUST RSVP with Raices Marinas to secure your spot and get information on the location. $100 MXN entry fee. Bring cash for beer and tacos de canasta that will be available for purchase. Also apply or bring bug spray with you – it is very buggy at the location!
- Cenote Verde Lucero is hosting a Day of the Dead event starting at 12pm on Sunday, Nov 2nd. Normal entrance fee applies.
- Diving Bar is hosting a Halloween Costume Contest on Sunday 11/2 (register by 3pm, contest begins at 4pm)
- Cenote Zapote will be holding a Day of the Dead event starting at 1pm on Sunday November 9th. RSVP with them as space is limited.
