Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado Leads Janal Pixán ‘Paseo de los Pixanes’ Parade

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Mayor Estefanía Mercado led the “U Xíimbal Pixano’ob” (Paseo de los Pixanes) parade on Sunday, one of the centerpiece events of this Caribbean resort city’s Janal Pixán 2026 celebrations honoring the dead.

Mercado walked the route alongside her husband, Eduardo Nájera, and members of her staff. Organizers said thousands of residents and tourists joined the procession to remember those who have died and to keep the ancestral traditions of the Yucatan Peninsula alive.

The parade began at Plaza Quinta Alegría, on Quinta Avenida at the corner of Constituyentes, and ended at Plaza 28 de Julio, where the city government had prepared a program of cultural and artistic activities.

Altars, Food and Music at Plaza 28 de Julio

The plaza esplanade hosted a large Day of the Dead altar and the exhibition “Ofrenda y Memoria, Muestra de Altares de México,” a showcase of altars from across Mexico, along with a food corridor and performances by artists from Quintana Roo and Yucatán.

Among the attractions was a giant Catrina figure made of pan de muerto, the traditional Day of the Dead bread, prepared by Universidad Vizcaya, as well as a tasting called “Sabores Peninsulares: Pib,” which offered a sample of the region’s cuisine built around the pit-roasted dish known as pib.

At the amphitheater, a dog named “Tohui” won the Pixán Peek contest before a crowd of residents and visitors. The Municipal Institute of Culture and the Arts (IMCAP) organized the competition for the second consecutive year; “Xochipelli” placed third and “Kiara” took second.

The evening’s entertainment opened with a performance by Tzunum Ekos Prehispánicos, followed by Música Prehispánica Sonidos en Movimiento. The mariachi group “Furia Jarocha” then took the stage, followed by Pancho López and his Cumbia Mestiza.

Grupo Musical Cuatrapeao closed out the second day of programming, followed by Navita Danza and Mariachi Crazy. Mr. Chango and Grupo Mestizo finished the night and drew the crowd onto the dance floor.