Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) Festival: Recuérdame
Puerto Vallarta’s Day of the Dead festivities will begin several days in advance with the installation of monumental Catrinas—elegant, larger-than-life skeleton figures crafted by local hotels and artists. These striking works of art will line the Malecón boardwalk, transforming it into an open-air gallery that captures the imagination of both residents and visitors. A key attraction, the world’s tallest Catrina will once again be displayed near the iconic lighthouse, continuing to draw crowds eager to witness this extraordinary symbol of creativity and tradition.
Meanwhile, the city’s main square, Plaza de Armas, and the Municipal Presidency building will showcase beautifully decorated Day of the Dead altars, or ofrendas. These vibrant displays honor departed loved ones and highlight one of Mexico’s most meaningful cultural practices. Together, the monumental Catrinas and traditional altars set the stage for a celebration that blends art, remembrance, and community spirit—capturing the very essence of Día de los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta.
Plaza de Armas, the malecon, Lázaro Cárdenas Park, and the Pantheon 5 de Deciembre (cemetery) will be filled with color, history and local talent with performances of folk ballet, mariachi, concerts, catrina catwalks, immersive walks, and much more. Events and activities for Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) Festival: Recuérdame include:
💀 Thursday, October 30 💀
• 6:00 PM: Tour and Inauguration of the Altars of the Dead (Municipal Presidency)
• 6:30 PM: Catrinas Exhibition (Malecón)
• 7:00 PM: Presentation of the Bolero Machuca group (Plaza de Armas)
• 8:00 PM: Haro Quintet (Lázaro Cárdenas Park)
• 8:00 PM: Performances at the Malecón Arches
➡️ Quetzal Folkloric Ballet
➡️ “La Llorona” (musical performance)
➡️ Catwalk and Presentation of Catrinas
➡️ “Ya se lo hizo la Huesuda” (theatrical presentation)
➡️ Quetzal Folkloric Ballet
➡️ “The Witch and a Strange World” (musical performance)
💀 Friday, October 31 💀
• 7:00 PM: Ballet Aguascalientes (Malecón Arches)
• 7:30 PM: Presentation of the Xiutla (Parque Lázaro Cárdenas)
• 6:00 PM to Midnight: Performances at Plaza de Armas
➡️ 6:00 PM: Live Mariachi
➡️ 8:00 PM: DJ Carlos Hernández
➡️ 9:00 PM: Los Dinámicos
➡️ 10:00 PM: Alexis Macías and Aly Villaseñor
➡️ 11:00 PM: Los Dinámicos and Friends
➡️ 12:00 AM: La Sonora Kuis
• 7:00 to 9:00 PM: Pantheon 5 de Deciembre (cemetery) Activities
➡️ 7:00 PM: Stories and Legends of the Tomb
➡️ 8:00 PM: Immersive Walk in the Pantheon
➡️ 9:00 PM: “Voices from Beyond” (acting performances and oral tradition of legends)
💀 Saturday, November 1 💀
• 6:00 PM: Presentation by Pianist Melina Reyes (Plaza de Armas)
• 7:00 PM: “De Catrinas, Lloronas y Brujas” – Mexican Songs for the Day of the Dead (Malecón Arches)
• 8:00 PM: Aguascalientes Ballet (Malecón Arches)
• 6:00 to 9:00 PM: Pantheon 5 de Deciembre (cemetery) Activities
➡️ 6:00 PM: Mural Inauguration
➡️ 7:00 PM: Stories and Legends of the Tomb
➡️ 8:00 PM: Immersive Walk in the Pantheon
➡️ 9:00 PM: “Voices from Beyond” (acting performances and oral tradition of legends)
• 7:00 PM: 80s and 90s Tribute (Lázaro Cárdenas Park)
• 9:00 PM: Rock and Disco Tribute (Lázaro Cárdenas Park)
💀 Sunday, November 2 💀
• 5:00 PM: Day of the Dead Parade
• 6:00 PM: Pianist Diego Enrique Meza Terrones (Plaza de Armas)
• 7:00 PM: Big Band and Jazz Group Presentation (Lázaro Cárdenas Park)
• 7:00 PM: Inauguration of the Monumental Catrina (Malecón Lighthouse)
• 7:00 PM: “Of Catrinas, Lloronas and Witches” – Mexican Songs for the Day of the Dead (Playa Los Muertos Pier)
• 8:00 PM: “Narrative of Legends and Boleros” by Ugo Rodríguez, founding member of the band Azul Violeta (Playa Los Muertos Pier)
• 9:30 PM: DJ Ticopa (Playa Los Muertos Pier)
💀 Monday, November 3 💀
• 6:00 PM: Dog Walk – “Footprints from Beyond” (starts at McDonald’s Malecón and ends at the Malecón Arches)
Image translation provided by Google Translate.
For more information updates, check Municipal Government of Puerto Vallarta and Vallarta Institute of Culture.