Day of the Dead Festivities – October 29 – November 4 2012

[Libby]

At this time of year, most of us are thinking about Halloween costumes, parties and trick-or-treating. Here in Mexico though, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), or Hanal Pixan as it’s known in Maya, is celebrated November 1-2. Though it may sound creepy, it’s actually a beautiful celebration of lost loved ones.

Mexicans create altars to honor their departed. They use marigolds, candles, pan de muertos (bread of the dead), photos of the deceased, sugar skulls, and favorite items of the deceased. For example, they might use the favorite toy of a child, a plate of enchiladas, a favorite bottle of tequila or the preferred brand of cigarettes for a smoker.

Most of the altars are set up inside private homes. But if you walk around some residential areas, you might be able to see some altars set up outside. Many restaurants and stores, including Walmart and Mega usually have altars. Calle Corazon is sometimes decorated for Day of the Dead.

Mexicans also visit and decorate the gravesites of their loved ones. I’ve even heard that some bring picnic baskets and champagne and party with the departed. Pretty cool, actually.

There are a number of events here in Playa associated with Day of the Dead, and I’ll be posting all the info here.

[Libby]

On October 29th, the Xcaret Life and Death Traditions parade will make its way down 5th Avenue starting at Calle 34 at 7pm.

If you wish to participate in the parade, please arrive at 6pm. Xcaret suggests for the whole family to paint half their face as a skeleton or bring skull masks made with paper-mache or other handmade elements related to the Day of the Dead. You can also come dressed in white with the special attire of the region. The event is highly recommended for children and teenagers ages 6 to 15.

[Libby]

Xcaret will be holding their 7th annual Life and Death Traditions Festival October 30th – November 2nd from 4-10pm.

There’s lots going on at the Xcaret festival including workshops, handcrafts, altars, children’s puppet theater, story-tellers, tours to the underworld and cemetery, parades, the ball game, musical rituals, folkloric Pre-Hispanic dances as well as contemporary dance and acrobatics, films, art & photo exhibits, gastronomic exhibits, chocolate workshop, and temazcal sessions. This year the program also includes Gala concerts by Lila Downs and Jaramar at an additional cost.

2012 Program of Activities

Visitor Admission:
Visitors must purchase regular admission to Xcaret to attend the festival. You may purchase regular admission or plus admission (includes lunch, snorkel equipment & locker) to Xcaret via In The Roo. Both include transportation from Playa del Carmen, Playacar and major hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Or purchase admission only tickets via the Xcaret website.

Preferential Tickets give you access to the following:
On November 1st and 2nd, international singing star Lila Downs will present a concert she has called “K´eebanoób and Miracles” and on October 30th and 31st you will be able to listen to “Songs for Day and Night” a concert by Mexican singer Jaramar. During every day of the Festival (from October 30th to November 2nd) you will enjoy stage shows like “Trupus Calacus” and “When an Alebrije Sings” by La Trouppe, “Comic Epitaphs” by Azis Gual, the suite concerto "Altar for the Dead” created by Gabriela Ortiz and interpreted by string quartet Ka´a Síijil or the Dzul Dance Company from New York in “Forest of Kings”.
* 399 pesos adults, 199 children 5-11, free under 5.
* Purchase tickets online at http://www.festivaldevidaymuerte.com/7FVM_EN/

Resident Admission
Residents of Quintana Roo, Yucatan or Campeche state may purchase tickets for the festival only at a rate of $199 pesos. You will need to show an IFE card, driver’s license, passport, or FM2/FM3. If your form of id does not have an address, I recommend you bring a utility bill with you. For children, you will need to- present CURP, school ID, passport, Carnet Seguro social, or birth certificate. These tickets may be purchased at the Xcaret ticket office, Pasteleria, or the Excursion.travel agency in Cancun. I recommend you buy your tickets asap.

More information at the Life and Death Traditions Festival website.

[Libby]

This year, Xcaret will also hold celebrations in Playa del Carmen at Parque La Ceiba on November 3rd and at Caracol Marino Cultural Center on November 4th.

General admission for both adults and children is 85 pesos at Parque La Ceiba, while admission to the presentations at Caracol Marino Cultural Center is free.

Parque La Ceiba Program of Activities

Caracol Marino Center Program of Activities

[Libby]

There will be a competition for most creative Day of the Dead altars on October 31st at Parque Fundadores. Viewing begins at 4pm.

If you’d like to enter the competition, see this website for more info.

[Libby]

The town of Bacalar will hold their 1st annual De Dulce las Calaveras (Sugar Skulls) Festival October 31 – November 2 in their historic center.

More info on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dedulce.lascalaveras

[Libby]

Tierra de los Animales, a Cancun dog shelter, is making a large Day of the Dead altar for our lost, but not forgotten pets.

ESPECIALLY DEDICATED TO ALL THOSE PETS WHO HAVE CROSSED OVER THE RAINBOW BRIDGE…
REGISTER YOUR PET AND BE PART OF THE GRAN ALTAR DE MUERTOS PARA MASCOTAS…

(A MEXICAN TRADITION THAT INCLUDES PICTURES OF THE PEOPLE, BUT IN THIS CASE OF THE ANIMALS THAT HAVE PASSED AWAY, ALSO INCLUDES FLOWERS, CANDLES, FOOD AND SOME OF THE FAVORITE THINGS OF THE DEAD)

WITH YOUR PARTICIPATION, YOU WILL BE HELPING IN OUR MISSION TO KEEP HELPING ANIMALS IN NEED.

DONATION PER PET FROM $50 MX

TIERRA DE ANIMALES WANTS YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR PET IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY

WHAT WILL IT BE?
TDA WILL MAKE THE FIRST GRAN ALTAR FOR DOGS AND CATS THAT WE ALWAYS REMEMBER WITH LOVE, IT WILL BE MADE WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL THOSE ANIMALS THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH US.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE?
SEND YOUR DONATION AND PICTURE OF YOUR PET (S) 6 X 8 INCHES
TO THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS: info@tierradeanimales.org
YOU CAN DEPOSIT YOUR DONATION TO THE HSBC ACCOUNT 4050799352
OR YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE CLINIC OF THE DR ADRIANA DAMIANO AND YOU HAVE TO LET US KNOW THROUGH EMAIL
YOU CAN ALSO DEDICATE SOME WORDS TO YOUR PET

WHEN?
THE INSTALLATION OF THE GRAN ALTAR DE MUERTOS WILL BE THE SATURDAY NOVEMBER 3RD, AT B2B HOTEL. AND WE WILL HAVE A GATHERING WITH ALL THE PARTICIPANTS. WE WILL BE SELLING TDA ITEMS, FOOD, WE´LL HAVE MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT, ACTIVITIES AND WILL BE A GREAT WAY TO REMEMBER OUR FRIENDS!

REGISTER, PARTICIPATE, REMEMBER AND SUPPORT THE TDA DOGS!

Facebook Event Page

[Libby]

Apart from the name, I’m not sure this event has anything to do with Day of the Dead, but I bet it will be a lot of fun! The Comedia de los (Brain) Muertes Comedy Tour will take place November 1st, 2nd and 4th.

Event Details Here

[Libby]

The Centro Maya shopping center will have a an exhibition of Day of the Dead altars on November 2nd at 5:30pm. Use the entrance by the Telcel office.

[Libby]

Wah Wah Beach Bar is having a Day of the Dead party on Friday, November 2nd. There will be live music from rock band Genius Kong, 2×1 pizza, drink specials, and costume contest.

[Libby]

Mezzanine in Tulum is celebrating Day of the Dead on Friday, November 2nd with dj Lex Luca, a performance by Veinte Varos, face painting, and costume contest. There will be a cover charge of 100 pesos. Profits will go towards building the Tulum Recycling Collection Center.

Facebook Event Page

[Libby]

There will be a Day of the Dead party on Friday, November 2nd at Blue Parrot. No cover and a free welcome drink to those in costume with a The Gym key tag (membership). Costume contest prizes from The Gym and Blue Parrot.

[Libby]

Alltournative tour company is offering a unique Hanal Pixan (Day of the Dead in Maya) tour. They will take you to a Maya community where you can see Day of the Dead altars, experience a Maya ceremony and enjoy a typical Maya dinner. The tour begins at 5pm with a pickup at Centro Maya in Playa del Carmen or at Plaza Punta Tulum in Cancun. Space is limited. Reservations may be made by phone.

[Libby]

In Tulum, there will be Day of the Dead altars on display November 1st and 2nd at the Parque Museo de Cultura Maya.