The images of skulls, death and spirits all point to the same holidays, but these images do not evoke the same feelings for these two very different looks at death. Although the two, Halloween and the Day of the Dead, are observed during the same season, there are some key differences between the two:

DAY OF THE DEAD
Held on November 1 (children) and November 2 (adults)
Represented by the skull and skeletons.
Known for his harmless communication with the souls of the dead.
Welcoming the return of the friendly spirits of the deceased
It means honoring the life and death of ancestors, family, and friends.
It dates back to the Aztec festival of the Lady of the Dead.
Connected to All Souls’ Day of Catholicism on November 2

HALLOWE’EN
Celebrated on October 31
Represented by the jack-o-lantern (carved pumpkin)
Associated with evil, magic, monsters and the occult.
Drive away evil spirits with gruesome costumes and masks
It means the end of summer and the beginning of winter.
It arose from the Celtic, Gaelic “Samhain” (end of summer)
Connected to All Saints’ Day of Christianity on November 1

Known for its colorful culture and traditions, the Day of the Dead is closed to Mexico with people from all over the country celebrating these festivities. Due to its uniqueness, it has been adopted by other Latin American countries and even some cities in the United States with a large Hispanic population.

Here are some ideas to celebrate the Day of the Dead when you travel to Mexico or even abroad.

1. Enjoy “Pan de Muertos”: prepared exclusively for these dates, this sweet bread has a distinctive orange flavor. It is sold only in late October and early November.

2. Visit local markets: Trinkets and souvenirs that have emerged due to the holiday present travelers with the opportunity to purchase unique gifts for family or friends.

3. Visit cemeteries: To get a closer look at what traditional families do during these days, visit local cemeteries. It is also a fantastic opportunity for photographers to capture unique moments.

4. Find festivals: Although most Mexican families do not traditionally build traditional alters in their homes, many cities and towns in Mexico (and some cities in the United States) will host extraordinary and colorful dead parades, festivals and events.

5. Take Photos !: For art lovers and photographers, visiting Mexico at this time is a unique opportunity to capture unique moments and return home with thousands of incredible photographs.