The Day of the Dead ritual  
in Oaxaca is one of the city's
most important celebrations,
rivaling only Easter and
Christmas in importance.
On the three day November
holiday, family members
return to their home village to
join in the preparation of the
graveyards and tombs for
the return of the spirits.
In most villages flowers play
an important role in
decorating the tombs,
Families also build a home
offering table and leave
offerings for the spirits that
include all the virtues and
vices that the departed
might have enjoyed in life.
Oaxaca  cemeteries open to visitors on the
first two nights of November  (October
31 Nov 1 and 2 ) Thousands of candles
illuminate the graves that are decorated
with marigold flowers and copal  incense
burners.  Families gather and chant the
ancient songs.
Each village celebrates at different times
and with different intensity but the evenings
can be ones of magic as the families wait
for the spirits to return.
Flowers and candles
make the cemeteries
mysterious places during
the November vigil for the
spirits.
Flowers decorate the home altars and tombs. Marigold is the flower with a special meaning that goes
back to pre-Hispanic times. The marigold is called the Fleur de Meurto, the flower of death, and often a
trail of marigold petals will point the way for the wandering spirit.  In the evening the family sits by the tomb
and light thousands of candles that they hope will guide the returning spirits.
Day of the Dead In the old cemetery of
Xoxocotlon, Candles light the night as families
sit by the tombs.
In the town of Tlalixtac south of
Oaxaca City the families sit by  
the decorated tombs while
brass bands move through the
cemetery
Day Of The Dead
Oaxaca, Mexico,
Last week in
October and the
first two days of
November.  See
Schedule below  
Day of the Dead ritual  in Oaxaca is
one of the city's most important
celebrations,
Oaxaca,  Mexico, Days of the Dead
Oaxaca Hotels      
Oaxaca Day of the Dead Schedule of Cemetery Visits
October, 31
Xoxocotlan. This town a few miles southwest of Oaxaca City  has two Cemeteries, Cementario Viejo, and
the new Cemetery Nuevo. The town will be festive on the night of October 31
October 31, the village of Atzompa holds a later cemetery vigil that starts around 11 pm.

Day of the Dead November 1,
Oaxaca City Cemetery, Panteon General on the east side of the city
Tlaixtac de Cabrera, six miles southeast of Oaxaca City

San Felipe del Agua, north of Oaxaca City November 2,
Village of San Antonino Castillo Velasco  A flower growing village that celebrates as much as a week
after the other villages.
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Oaxaca becomes a magical place when you visit the cemeteries on the first two nights of November (October
31) and see thousands of candles that illuminate the graves.
Marigold flowers and burning copal incense decorate the graves in an all night vigil.      Oct 31-Nov 2

See Schedule of Cemetery Visits below, Best times to go
Day of the Dead Oaxaca,  November Celebration In Oaxaca, Mexico  
Reach the Cemeteries:  The Day of the Dead Cemetery visit transportation is available from
Oaxaca city by bus, taxi, or car.  Cemetery visits occur on October 31, November 1 and Nov.
2nd.  
First time visitors are best off with one of the many Oaxaca Tour Agencies such as Borroco
Tours located on Garcia Vigil  (street)  They arrange small or large group van tours for visitors
to the villages.  They guide you in the cemetery, help you make photos, and provide local
information about the event.
Otherwise the best option is taxi or collective taxi.  Arrange for your return or determine the
loading place at the village when you arrive.  It could be difficult to find later in the evening.