Brief
Mexico City hosts massive Day of the Dead parades amid tourist tensions
The festivities culminate in large parades on Mexico City's main avenue, while some locals question the impact of tourism.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Mexico City filled its streets with orange marigolds, glowing candles and catrina‑styled participants on Oct. 30 as part of the annual Day of the Dead celebrations, the Associated Press reported.
What happened
Celebrations that begin in October lead up to Nov. 1 and 2, when families honor deceased relatives. This year, massive parades ran along the city’s main avenue, featuring floats decorated with the skeletal figures known as catrinas. Traditional foods such as pan de muerto were displayed in bakeries, and families set up altars with offerings of food, mezcal and photographs.
What the reports add
The AP noted that the catrina parade was originally created for the 2015 James Bond film “Spectre” and later incorporated into the official festivities, a detail not commonly highlighted in earlier coverage. It also reported that in the central state of Michoacan, authorities closed the pantheon on Janitzio island to tourists for the first time after cemetery structures suffered damage from large visitor numbers.
What was said
The article did not include direct quotations, but it referenced local skepticism toward the annual catrina parade, indicating some residents view the event as a tourist‑driven addition rather than a traditional practice.
How it came about
Day of the Dead rituals trace back to pre‑Hispanic agricultural beliefs and later incorporated Catholic elements after the Spanish conquest in 1521. Recent years have seen the celebration gain international attention, prompting both larger crowds and concerns about overtourism in places like Oaxaca, Michoacan and the capital.
Key facts
- Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico run from October through Nov. 2, culminating in parades on Mexico City's main avenue. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The catrina parade was first created for the 2015 James Bond film "Spectre" before becoming part of the official festivities. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Authorities closed Janitzio island's pantheon to tourists for the first time in 2026 due to damage from overcrowding. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Sources
- [1] winnipegfreepress.com — originally reported as “Mexico comes alive during annual Day of the Dead celebrations”
