Events: The Day of the Dead Altars in Lake Chapala | Access Lake Chapala Real Estate

Day of the Dead

Date/Time
Date(s) - 02/11/2024 - 03/11/2024

Description

The Day of the Dead is a true Mexican tradition and although Halloween is fun, the day of the dead is a beautiful event. In Spanish it is called ¨Dia de los Muertos¨, is a very important and popular event which celebrates the passing of loved ones. It is a way for family members who lost loved ones to bring them back for a one day special visit by honoring and remembering their presence in making an altar and filling it with items that person once enjoyed. Most commonly the altars have marigold flowers, skull, candles, food, possession and even a picture . All these items are known as offerings and are meant to guide the loved one back.

The traditional bread of the dead ¨Pan de Muerto¨is offered on each altar in case the loved one is hungry, even soap and water is often seen in the altars so the dead can wash up upon arrival. All Lakeside towns including Ajijic, Chapala, San Juan Cosala and Jocotepec celebrate this day with altars lined up along the main square or Malecons. To see them all you would have to drive to each town and experience all the Altars, however the most popular is in downtown Chapala and at the Ajijic Plaza.

The Chapala city hall building opens its doors to public where they have set up their own altars as well. In Ajijic the altars are down the main Paroquia street and displayed on the plaza. Once night falls celebrations begin on the main square in Ajijic with music, dancing, people dressed for the occasion and of course great food.

Check out our blog post on the Day of the Dead and see more pictures in our gallery to get a more detailed view.

See some videos we have taken over the years:

Day of the Dead at The Ajijic Plaza 2019

Altars for Day of the Dead in Ajijic Mexico 2018

Day of the Dead Cedlebrations Ajijic Mexico 2017

Day of the Dead in Ajijic

November 2nd, 2015 Day of the Dead in Ajijic & Chapala

November 2nd, 2015 Day of the Dead in Ajijic & Chapala 2015

Day of the Dead at the Ajijic Plaza 2014

Day of the Dead Altars in Ajijic & Chapala Mexico 2020

Don’t forget to miss the main attraction which is just off the plaza, along a wall of Marcus Castellanos school, is the wall of skulls. It was created in 2016 by the artist Efren Gonzalez. Each plague was fashioned from the same mold but with a different name inscribed on it, honoring someone who has passed over. One candle is on each plaque. When the wall was created, anyone who wished to honor a loved one could pay a small fee to have that person’s name on a plaque.