Playa del Carmen’s Free Janal Pixan 2025 Events

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The city of Playa del Carmen is set to host a major celebration for Janal Pixan 2025, with a complete agenda of free events for the Day of the Dead. The festivities for Janal Pixan in Playa del Carmen are now confirmed, offering a full schedule for 2025.

Janal Pixán is a Maya tradition from the Yucatán peninsula for honoring the deceased, meaning "food of the souls." It is celebrated primarily from October 31 to November 2, and in its honor, altars are prepared with food, drink, and flowers.

The Playa del Carmen City Council issued an invitation on social media for this major event, titled "Pixano’ob, Sáasilo’ob. Finados, Seres de Luz" (Finados, Beings of Light), and shared the program of activities that will take place between the months of October and November.

Program for "Pixano’ob, Sáasilo’ob. Finados, Seres de Luz" in Playa del Carmen

The complete program of activities for the "Pixano’ob, Sáasilo’ob. Finados, Seres de Luz" celebration was shared via the City Council's Facebook page. The events are as follows:

Friday, October 31

• Plaza 28 de Julio
  • Inaugural act led by President Estefanía Mercado.
  • Lighting of the Magno Altar Janal Pixan 2025.
  • Exhibition "Ofrenda y Memoria: Altares de México" (Offering and Memory: Altars of Mexico).
  • Tours of the artisan displays and the gastronomic corridor.
  • Anfiteatro Plaza 28 de Julio: Performances by Voladores de Papantla, a mini musical of Coco, Mariachi Femenil Azul Turquesa, Cabreras Flamenco, and more.
• Puerto Aventuras
  • Concert by Casa de la Música and the exhibition "Sabores Peninsulares: Pib" (Peninsular Flavors: Pib).

Saturday, November 1

• Galería de Arte: Exhibition and workshop "Calaveras gráficas" (Graphic Skulls) with Adzul Marino.
• Colosio – Panteón Municipal: Parade "U Xiímbal Pixano’ob, Paseo de los Pixanes" (The Walk of the Pixanes) and the solemn program "Rezo y Serenata para los Fieles Difuntos" (Prayer and Serenade for the Faithful Departed).
• Plaza 28 de Julio
  • Lighting of the altar, gastronomic exhibition "Mega Catrina," and dance and music spectacles.

Sunday, November 2

• Quinta Avenida: Grand parade "U Xiímbal Pixano’ob" from Av. Constituyentes to Plaza 28 de Julio.
• Plaza 28 de Julio:
  • Magno altar, artisan and gastronomic displays.
  • Anfiteatro: Performances by the Orquesta Sinfónica Infantil y Juvenil (Children's and Youth Symphony Orchestra), Son Jarocho, Ballet, Marimbística, and the awards ceremony for the Altars.

Monday, November 3

• Centro Cultural Playa del Carmen
  • Cultural activity "Usos y costumbres: tradición del Janal Pixan en Quintana Roo" (Uses and Customs: Janal Pixan Tradition in Quintana Roo).
  • Children's program "Janal Pixan para Niños" (Janal Pixan for Children): Maya ceremony, artistic presentations, cinema, and a market.

How Janal Pixan is Celebrated in Quintana Roo

From October 31 to November 3, 2025, the city will be adorned with tradition, color, and spirituality to celebrate Janal Pixán, a festivity that pays tribute to the faithful departed from the roots of Maya culture and Mexican customs. Its name, which in the Mayan language means "Food of the Souls," represents one of the most significant and emotional celebrations in the Riviera Maya, attracting both residents and visitors.

The epicenter of this commemoration will be the Plaza 28 de Julio, where monumental altars will be erected, adorned with cempasúchil flowers, candles, traditional dishes, and personal objects of those who have passed on, creating an atmosphere full of symbolism and spirituality that highlights the essence of Janal Pixán.