Cozumel’s 2025 Janal Pixan Festival Guide

Cozumel, Mexico — The government of Cozumel has presented the activities for the 2025 Almas con Tradición (Souls with Tradition) Festival. The event aims to blend the traditions of Janal Pixan, Day of the Dead, and even Halloween. The goal is to create a series of family-friendly events that unite people and showcase the cultural richness of the municipality.

More than 20 free events will be available for tourists and locals to enjoy. Among these will be several contests through which the community can express themselves and also win major prizes. The complete schedule is detailed below.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Monday, October 28:

• 6:30 p.m.: Traditional candle lighting and illumination of the monumental skull at the San Miguel Cemetery.
• 7:00 p.m.: Presentation of the video mapping "Almas de la Isla" (Souls of the Island).
• 7:15 p.m.: Procession of the Souls, starting at the San Miguel Cemetery along Quinta Avenida, with participation from the University of Guadalajara.
• 8:30 p.m.: Inaugural protocol and artistic-cultural event at Benito Juárez Park. It will include:
  1. Pre-Hispanic dances of Hanal Pixan.
  2. Day of the Dead tradition "Xantolo" from Veracruz.
  3. Day of the Dead tradition "Xandú" from Oaxaca, presented by the University of Guadalajara.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Tuesday, October 29:

• 7:00 p.m.: Maleconeada along Avenida Rafael E. Melgar (starting at Quintana Roo Park and ending at Benito Juárez Park), with a presentation of the "Xantolo" tradition.
• 8:00 p.m.: "Expresión Juvenil Catrinas y Catrines" (Youth Expression of Catrinas and Catrines) contest at Benito Juárez Park.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Wednesday, October 30:

• 6:30 p.m.: Regional Maleconeada of Souls along Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, with "jarana" groups from the island.
• 7:00 p.m.: Exhibition of the Monumental Day of the Dead Altar at Benito Juárez Park.
• 7:30 p.m.: Exhibition of Altars 2025, with participation from the University of Guadalajara.
• 8:30 p.m.: Costume contest in different categories at Benito Juárez Park.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Thursday, October 31 (Halloween):

• 6:00 p.m.: Children's costume contest "Dulce o Truco" (Trick or Treat).
• 8:00 p.m.: "Exprésate Bailando en Halloween 2025" (Express Yourself Dancing on Halloween 2025) at Benito Juárez Park.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Friday, November 1:

• 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.: Peninsular Regional Night "Hanal Pixán, comida de las ánimas" (Food of the Souls) at Benito Juárez Park. It will include:
  • Mucbipollo Festival.
  • Exhibition and sale of "pib" and "pan de muerto."
  • Presentation of "jarana" groups.
  • Performance by the Typical Orchestra of the Autonomous University of Yucatán.

Schedule for the Almas con Tradición Festival for Saturday, November 2:

• 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.: Simultaneous masses at the San Miguel Cemetery and the Misión de Paz Cemetery.
• 6:00 p.m.: Souls 5K Race 2025 on Avenida Rafael E. Melgar (start and finish line next to the La Caracola fountain).
• 7:30 p.m.: Closing ceremony and artistic presentation by the group K'uxtal at Benito Juárez Park.
• 8:45 p.m.: Popular dance of Catrinas and Catrines with the musical group "La Gozadera."