The Day of the Dead might sound like a solemn affair, but Mexico’s famous holiday (opens in new tab) is actually a lively commemoration of the departed.
The nationwide festivities, which include a massive parade in Mexico City (opens in new tab), typically begin the night of Oct. 31 with families sitting vigil at grave sites. Mexican tradition holds that on Nov. 1 and 2, the dead awaken to reconnect and celebrate with their living family and friends.
Given the timing, it may be tempting to equate Day of the Dead with Halloween (opens in new tab), a ghost-themed U.S. holiday. But the two holidays express fundamentally different beliefs. While Halloween has its origins in pagan and Christian traditions (opens in new tab), Day of the Dead has indigenous roots as a celebration of the Aztec goddess of death.
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