Playa del Carmen to Celebrate Janal Pixán With Processions and Monumental Altars

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — This city will hold the third edition of Janal Pixán from October 31 to November 3, a four-day program of ánima processions, monumental altars, catrina contests, art workshops and food tastings spread across several venues.

The festival, the Yucatan Peninsula’s own observance of Day of the Dead, aims to keep local traditions alive and bring residents and tourists closer to the cultural expressions of the region.

Under the motto “Pixano’ob, Sáasilo’ob. Finados, Seres de Luz” — “The Deceased, Beings of Light” — activities will be concentrated at Plaza 28 de Julio, Quinta Avenida, the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood, the municipal cemetery and other cultural spaces in the city.

Two processions

The headline event is the “U Xiimbal Pixano’ob. Paseo de los Pixanes” procession, scheduled for Sunday, November 1, at 6:30 p.m. The route starts at the intersection of Constituyentes Avenue and Quinta Avenida and ends at Plaza 28 de Julio.

A second, more ceremonial procession is set for Monday, November 2, leaving at 6:30 p.m. from Lázaro Cárdenas del Río park in the Colosio neighborhood and finishing at the municipal cemetery. There, at 8 p.m., organizers will hold the solemn program “Rezo y Serenata para los Fieles Difuntos,” featuring Maya prayer leaders, the Payach’ob group, Mayapax and the Trío Ecos del Mayab.

Opening and monumental altars

The official opening is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at 7 p.m. on the esplanade of Plaza 28 de Julio, where the Magno Altar de Día de Muertos will be lit and the exhibition “Ofrenda y Memoria, Muestra de Altares de México” will open.

Food, crafts and contests

Throughout the four days, visitors will find food corridors, artisan displays and performances by artists from Quintana Roo and Yucatán. The culinary lineup includes “Sabores Peninsulares: Pib,” dedicated to one of the season’s traditional dishes.

Younger visitors have their own events. The children’s alebrije contest is set for Saturday, October 31, at 6 p.m., while the “Pixán Peek” contest and awards ceremony will take place Sunday, November 1, at the Plaza 28 de Julio amphitheater.

That same Sunday, the Universidad Vizcaya will present a “Mega Catrina” food display built around a giant pan de muerto.

Free art workshops

The Galería de Arte will host two free workshops with materials included and limited capacity. On Sunday, November 1, at 6 p.m., Narda Paniagua will lead an experimental printmaking session for participants aged 12 and up, who will make stamps, produce prints and create graphic interventions.

On Monday, November 2, at the same hour, the Adzul Marino collective will offer “Tzompantli Gráfico,” open to participants aged five and older, combining drawing, engraving and printing to produce a collective piece.

Closing day

The program wraps up on Tuesday, November 3, at the Centro Cultural Playa del Carmen, starting at 11 a.m. with activities on the customs and traditions of Janal Pixán in Quintana Roo.

At 5 p.m., organizers will present “Ak Janal Pixán Ti Mejen P’alal. Comida de Ánimas para los Niños,” which includes a Maya ceremony, traditional performances and a children’s film screening.

Organizers said local and regional artists will take part, along with dedicated spaces for food, crafts and traditional offerings, in a celebration that pairs popular festivities with ceremonies rooted in Maya custom.