From October 28 to November 2, Guanajuato City will be filled with tradition, art and culture with the celebration of the 8th Day of the Dead Festiva
From October 28 to November 2, Guanajuato City will be filled with tradition, art and culture with the celebration of the 8th Day of the Dead Festival 2026, this year featuring Bon Odori, working to strengthen cultural exchange with Japan
Mexico City/Gto News
The Road to Mictlan, the Monumental Altar on the Steps of the Central Building of the University of Guanajuato (UG), as well as all the tradition of flavors in the tunnels of the city and the presentations of Bon Odori from Japan, are already preparing for the 8th Day of the Dead Festival 2026, which will be held from October 28 to November 2 in Guanajuato City.
Following the vision of the Governor of the People, Libia Dennise Garcia Munoz Ledo, the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato, Maria Guadalupe Robles Leon, participated in the presentation of the Festival in Mexico City, where she highlighted that this celebration has consolidated itself as a national and international cultural and tourist reference, capable of attracting visitors, generating economic activity and opening new opportunities for Guanajuatense families.
The Secretary of Tourism and Identity also said that for this edition, the Organizing Committee projects the arrival of 250,000 attendees, representing an expected growth of 14 percent in attendance and 19 percent in economic impact compared to 2025. Likewise, an average hotel occupancy rate of 78 percent is expected during the festival.
“These figures translate into opportunities for hotels, restaurants, traditional cooks, artisans, merchants and tourism service providers, who find in large events a platform to share their work, strengthen their businesses and bring the benefits of tourism to more people,” said Robles.
The Day of the Dead Festival seeks to strengthen its international presence, particularly in East Asian markets. Following China’s participation in the previous edition, Japan joins the celebration this year, fostering a cultural exchange between two cultures that recognize the value of memory, traditions, and respect for ancestors.
The program includes presentations of Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese expression that will enrich the experience and contribute to strengthen cultural ties between both countries.
“The presence of new international expressions confirms Guanajuato’s potential to attract tourist markets and share its identity beyond borders,” said the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato.
From October 28 to November 2, the Underground Street, the plazas and alleyways of Guanajuato City will be the stage for catrinas, monumental altars, traditional carpets, processions, videomapping, gastronomy, crafts and various artistic expressions.
Among the highlights are:
– The Tunnel of Tradition, the Monumental Offering of the University of Guanajuato, the Catrinas parade, the screening of “El Santo vs. the Mummies of Guanajuato” in the Santa Paula Cemetery, and the Road to Mictlan
The festival will open spaces for 294 businesses, including 206 artisans, who will have the opportunity to exhibit and market their products to thousands of visitors, strengthening the local economy and the value of traditional crafts.
“Guanajuato extends an invitation to explore its streets, discover its traditions, and be part of a celebration that transforms the Day of the Dead into an encounter of memory, art, life, and identity,” said the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato.
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