Los Dias de los Muertos

Days of the Dead Calendar

In certain areas of Mexico, Los Días de los Muertos begins as early as October 18 and continues through November 9, but in the Southwest, the Day of the Dead is often only observed on November 1 and 2.

Because of this, the timeline differs from place to place, but the basics remain the same. In all celebrations, there is a specific time for the souls of the children to return and a separate and later time for the souls of adults to return.

Oct. 27 - The souls of those with no living family are offered bread and jugs of water.

Oct. 28 - The souls of those who caused great harm or murder are offered bread and water. They are unforgiven, so the offerings are placed outside houses or in the corner of a church.

Oct. 30 - Los Niños Limbos, the children who die before baptism, return on this day according to some cultures.

Oct. 31 - Los Angelitos, the souls of the children, return on this day.

Nov. 1 - All Saints Day. All Saints Day is a Catholic festival day. In some areas, the souls of the children return on this day. Whatever the tradition, at some point during the day, the souls of the children leave, and bells ring to summon the souls of the adults. The spirits of the children are hosted at home, and the spirits of adults are hosted at the cemeteries. On the night of All Saints Day, people pray, talk, eat and drink among hundreds of flickering candles and the heady scents of copal incense and cempazuchitl. Local musicians wander from gravesite to gravesite to play favorite songs, and a priest may say prayers with each family.

Nov. 2 - All Souls Day, Day of the Dead. All Souls Day is another Catholic festival day, celebrated so that the living may assist departed souls in their move from Purgatory into Heaven. Requiem Masses are held for the devout. All Souls Day is usually the final day of Los Días de los Muertos. It is almost always a day of great celebration and festivity. It may be the day chosen to clean and decorate the gravesites. There's usually music, dance, feasting and a great deal of play and camaraderie. By evening, the festivities are over and the dead must leave. Those who are reluctant must be scared back by the living who wear skull masks.

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