The second edition of Festival de las Almas 2026 brings together celebrations from different regions to strengthen the state’s tourism offerings

From October 24 to November 15, the program will showcase Jalisco’s traditions, heritage, and identity

JALISCO, Mexico, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To promote Day of the Dead traditions, diversify tourism offerings, and showcase the state’s cultural richness, Jalisco’s Tourism Secretariat and State Entertainment Agency unveiled the second edition of Festival de las Almas 2026. The initiative brings together local celebrations featuring altars, exhibitions, parades, tours, and musical performances.

From October 24 to November 15, 12 municipalities will offer more than 350 free activities connecting the traditions of this celebration with each region’s cultural and tourism attractions.

In its second edition, the festival doubles the number of participating municipalities from six in 2025 to 12. The program includes destinations in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, the mountains, the Lake Chapala region, the agave valley, Los Altos, and the coast, under the theme: one state, many identities, one shared memory.

The initiative brings local celebrations together in a statewide calendar to encourage travel across different destinations, expand visitor experiences, and create economic opportunities for communities.

San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Tequila, Sayula, Mazamitla, Lagos de Moreno, and Cocula join the destinations that participated in the first edition: Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, Chapala, Puerto Vallarta, and Zapotlanejo.

In Guadalajara, the El Espíritu del Charro exhibition will run from October 30 to November 13, featuring monumental catrina figures in Plaza Guadalajara, projection mapping on the Cathedral on October 31 and November 1, and a main parade on October 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be theatrical nighttime tours of the Belén and Mezquitán cemeteries.

In Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, El Mictlán will be open from October 31 to November 2. The attractions include a monumental arch, the Alley of Legends, a performance of La Llorona in canoes on Lake Cajititlán, and the Tree of Souls.

San Pedro Tlaquepaque will offer approximately 80 activities from October 25 to November 2 under the program Living Tradition, Clay That Transcends. Highlights include the opening parade on October 25, the El Alabado procession on October 30, the Walk of Souls on November 1, and the procession of catrina brides on November 2.

In Zapopan, the Path of Corn will take over the Andador pedestrian walkway November 20th, while Tequila will connect its agave landscape with cultural tours, a traditional fair, and façade-decorating contests.

In Chapala, the waterfront promenade will feature a path of marigolds, and City Hall will host projection-mapping displays. The program is complemented by activities organized by Tlajomulco at Lake Cajititlán, where the atmosphere and depictions of Mictlán will give the celebration its distinctive character.

In Sayula, altars dedicated to writer Juan Rulfo and sawdust carpets will highlight the municipality’s literary tradition. Meanwhile, Cocula, known for its connection to mariachi, will offer musical performances at the Mariachi Museum and the Templo de la Cruz.

In Mazamitla, catrina fashion shows and mountain cuisine will be among the offerings. In Zapotlanejo, visitors can admire the 22-meter-tall Catrina and cinematic sets that pay tribute to the local textile industry.

In Lagos de Moreno, the program includes a horseback parade featuring charros in formal attire and the Grand Offering of Los Altos Pride. On the coast, Puerto Vallarta will install Boats of Light and Guardian of the Ocean along the waterfront promenade.

The distances between destinations make it possible to plan trips from Guadalajara to Chapala and Tequila, just over an hour away; Mazamitla and Lagos de Moreno, just over two hours away; and Puerto Vallarta, less than four hours away, based on the travel times indicated for the route.

Through this program, the Government of Jalisco is boosting regional tourism, promoting the traditions that distinguish its municipalities, and expanding opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy Day of the Dead in communities across the state.

https://visitjalisco.mx/festival-de-las-almas

Contact:
jalisco@quinn.pr 

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SOURCE Jalisco Tourism Board