Puerto Vallarta Welcomes Day of the Dead With 50 Giant Catrinas and a Festival by the Sea
October 23, 2026 Team Contributor
The vibrant coastal town of Puerto Vallarta is all decked up. It’s the time of the year when the Mexicans remember their departed ones, not in a solemn way but in one steeped in colourful celebration called the Day of the Dead Festival (Día de los Muertos).
As you walk there, mixing with the crowd, jostling in the frenzy, one is reminded that death is a part of life, taking the fear away as the festival crescendo builds. And nobody celebrates it like this place.
For visitors unfamiliar with the tradition, Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not simply a Mexican version of Halloween. It is a time when families honour loved ones who have died, keeping their memories alive through food, flowers, photographs, candles and offerings.
The Pacific breeze teases the giant Catrinas lined across the waterfront, giving Puerto Vallarta an especially colorful character this fall. In Puerto Vallarta, the giant Catrinas along the Malecón are both an artistic expression and a reminder of a profound message: everyone, rich or poor, ultimately becomes a “calavera” (giant sugar skull).
From October 25 to November 8, 2026, the Mexican coastal city will join Jalisco’s Festival de las Almas (Festival of Souls), turning its waterfront and historic streets into a celebration of memory, art, music and Mexican heritage.
The highlight? An open-air exhibition of 50 monumental Catrinas along the famous Malecón, or the waterfront promenade, where traditional Day of the Dead imagery will meet the sweeping views of Banderas Bay.
With more than 28 free cultural and artistic experiences planned for Puerto Vallarta, the festival offers travellers a chance to experience Mexico beyond its beaches and resort life. Here, the celebration is as much about community, family and remembrance as it is about spectacle.
50 monumental Catrinas bring the Malecón to life
Puerto Vallarta’s celebrated waterfront promenade will become an open-air gallery featuring 50 large-format Catrinas, the elegant skeleton figures that have become iconic symbols of Mexican culture.
La Catrina is Mexico’s iconic elegant skeleton woman complete with a fancy feathered hat, flowers, and elegant clothing. What started as a sharp political satire is now the most popular visual symbol of Día de los Muertos.
The exhibition, known as La orilla de las ánimas (Shore of Souls), is expected to begin on October 28, with the sculptures on display along the Malecón through November 3, according to the official festival program.
The centrepiece is La Guardiana del Océano (The Guardian of the Ocean), a monumental Catrina recognised by Guinness World Records in 2022 and 2023 for the world’s tallest Catrina skull. Its unveiling is scheduled for November 1 at 7 p.m. at the Malecón Lighthouse.
Surrounded by marigolds, altars, sculptures, and live music, the installation reflects Puerto Vallarta’s distinctive character.
The state’s wider celebration runs from October 24 to November 15 across 12 municipalities. A coming together of many different heritage, landscape, cuisine and customs under the theme One state, many identities, one shared memory.
Flower-lit boats and a parade that leads to the sea
Puerto Vallarta’s coastal identity takes centre stage in Las Pangas de Luz (Pangas of Light), a monumental installation of traditional fishing boats decorated with flowers and illuminated at dusk. The tribute honours the fishermen whose lives and livelihoods are closely tied to the sea.
The city’s historic streets will also host the Grand Day of the Dead Parade on November 2. Scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Municipal Cemetery in the 5 de Diciembre neighbourhood, the procession will travel towards the Los Muertos Beach Pier, bringing Catrinas, Catrines, music and colourful costumes into the streets.
The route offers a fitting connection between remembrance and the ocean, linking the cemetery with the waterfront through a shared public celebration.
Music, food and traditions across Puerto Vallarta
The festival doesn’t stop at the Malecón. Step into the Historic Centre or the Romantic Zone, and the city comes alive with colour, music, and the scent of marigolds.
From October 25 to November 7, participating restaurants join Sabores que vuelven—a seasonal celebration of regional Mexican flavours. Think rich moles, coastal seafood, mezcal pairings, and of course, pan de muerto.
Just remember: reservations are required at participating restaurants.
Don’t miss these moments
- Altar inaugurations and pan de muerto tastings at Plaza de Armas—the perfect place to try the sweet, orange-scented bread that defines the season.
- A Day of the Dead video-mapping show, created by students from CUCOSTA, turning local architecture into a moving tribute.
- Folkloric dance performances by groups from Jalisco and across Mexico—vibrant costumes, live rhythms, and pure celebration.
On November 3, the festival turns tender. A community walk and a special altar will honour the pets we’ve loved and lost.
It’s one of the most intimate moments of Día de los Muertos—a reminder that grief is simply love with nowhere else to go.
Planning a fall visit to Puerto Vallarta
For travellers considering a Mexican getaway, the Festival of Souls adds a cultural dimension to Puerto Vallarta’s appeal. The main Day of the Dead celebrations fall around October 31 to November 2, although events and culinary experiences extend into the following week. Also, if you’re traveling with family and kids, it’s worth a look at the new consent rules hotels may ask for kids or minors you bring along
Many of the official cultural activities are free, making it easy to explore the celebrations on foot. Visitors can combine an evening stroll along the Malecón with the historic centre’s plazas, local restaurants and waterfront views.
Event dates, locations and schedules may change, so travellers should check the official Festival de las Almas calendar before heading out.
Planning your Puerto Vallarta Day of the Dead escape? Choose a trusted Canadian travel advisor to find tailored packages, flights, and insider-led itineraries for the festival season. It’s the easiest way to turn this vibrant celebration into a seamless, unforgettable Mexican getaway.
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