Cancún’s Day of the Dead Festival Draws More Than 110,000 Over Four Nights

Puerto Juárez, Quintana Roo — Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and Benito Juárez municipal president Ana Paty Peralta led the final night of Day of the Dead and Janal Pixan observances at Puerto Juárez, where the waterfront hosted the spectacle “El Camino de los Abuelos.”

The four nights of events, organized by the Benito Juárez city government through its Municipal Institute of Culture and the Arts, drew more than 110,000 residents, visitors and tourists between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2. Programming spanned Puerto Juárez, Parque de las Palapas and the municipal cemeteries, and featured more than 50 local artists along with altar and catrina contests, food stalls and crafts.

A tradition that began at city hall

Lezama recalled that the celebration took shape when she was mayor, built around the community’s performers.

“It makes me very happy that this celebration happens in family, in unity, always remembering those who have gone before us,” she said.

The governor watched the performance, written and directed by Saúl Enríquez, from among the crowd, accompanied by Verónica Lezama, honorary president of the DIF Quintana Roo family services system.

Peralta said this was the fifth year of an event that has become one of Cancún’s signature dates on the calendar. Five municipal companies take part, including theater, folkloric ballet, a chamber orchestra, the municipal choir, the children’s choir and the maritime procession.

Catrinas and music at the pier

After the performance, attendees joined a procession that set out from the pier at Calle 45, with catrines and catrinas marching alongside the “La Caribeña” wind orchestra.

A second stage hosted live music across the four nights, with performers including Trío Aroma Mexicano, K-Milo, Los Carnalitos, Saúl Alexander, Yamily Marrufo, Cecilia Ledezma, Legendario Norteño Banda, Trío Piel Canela, Mariachi Vino Tinto and Sissy Vizuet.

Also taking part in the closing day were municipal comptroller Miguel Centenio and Carlos López, director of the Benito Juárez Institute of Culture.