The images of skulls, death, and spirits point to the same festivities, but these images do not evoke the same sentiments for these two very different views of death. Although both Halloween and Día de los Muertos are celebrated 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 harmless communication with the souls of the dead.
Receiving the return of the friendly spirits of the deceased
It means honoring the life and death of ancestors, family and friends.
Traced to the Aztec festival of the Lady of the Dead
Connected with the day of the dead 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 horrible costumes and masks.
It means the end of summer and the beginning of winter.
Arisen from Celtic, Gaelic “Samhain” (end of summer)
Connected with All Saints’ Day of Christianity on November 1

Known for its colorful culture and traditions, the Day of the Dead is very close 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 the “Pan de Muertos”: Prepared exclusively for these dates, this sweet bread has a distinctive orange flavor. It is sold only at the end of October and beginning of November.

2. Visit the local markets: The trinkets and souvenirs that have sprung up due to the holidays present travelers with the opportunity to purchase unique gifts for family or friends.

3. Visit cemeteries: For 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. Look for festivals: Although most Mexican families do not traditionally build traditional altars in their homes, many cities and towns in Mexico (and some cities in the United States) will host extraordinary and colorful parades, festivals, and events to honor the dead.

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.