Every November 1 and 2, Los Cabos joins the rest of Mexico in honoring Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, one of the country’s most heartfelt holidays. According to tradition, the veil between the living and the dead lifts for these two days, allowing departed loved ones to return home to the feasts and offerings prepared for them. 

In Los Cabos, the scent of marigolds and the lively sounds of music and laughter fill the air as the celebration takes over both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. It’s a season that turns remembrance into celebration, and grief into gratitude, with plenty of ways to participate at your own pace.

A large, brightly decorated sugar skull sculpture sits on a festive altar for Día de los Muertos in Los Cabos, Mexico

The Meaning Behind Día de los Muertos

At the heart of Día de los Muertos is the ofrenda, an altar built with love and care to welcome home a departed family member during these two days. Photos of the deceased sit alongside their favorite foods, drinks and small mementos meant to make the visit feel familiar. Candles light the way, and the iconic orange marigold is scattered in pathways and woven onto wreaths. Its bright color and scent are believed to guide spirits back to the family gathered in their honor.

Food is central to the celebration. Pan de Muerto, a soft, slightly sweet bread often shaped with bone-like designs, is baked especially for the holiday. Atole, a warm, corn-based drink made with corn flour, water or milk and sugar, is served alongside it to keep the chill of autumn evenings at bay. Sugar skulls, decorated with bright icing, are placed on altars or given as gifts. Many families also prepare the deceased’s favorite dish, a small act of care that turns cooking into an offering. 

A fresh try of Pan de Muerto for Día de los Muertos in Los Cabos, Mexico

Where to Experience Day of the Dead in Los Cabos

Free and Public Celebrations

On November 1, the Sea of Offerings festival arrives at Plaza Amelia Wilkes in downtown Cabo San Lucas. The festival runs from 5 to 10 p.m., filling the plaza with live music, food vendors and colorful decorations.

The following evening, the Cabo San Lucas marina lights up for Altares en el Mar. Locals decorate and illuminate their own boats with candles and marigolds, then parade them across the water in a moving tribute that unites ritual with the rhythms of the sea.

A boat decorated for Día de los Muertos during Altares en el Mar in Los Cabos, Mexico

Arts & Culture

At Flora Farms, the 10th Annual Day of the Dead Altar Competition unfolds each year around October 31. The organic farm brims with ofrendas as community businesses and organizations craft vibrant altars, competing in categories such as Most Traditional, Most Original and Overall Favorite. Guests can enjoy live music, folkloric performances and farm-fresh flavors before the evening culminates in an award ceremony where winning charities receive cash prizes, making the night as meaningful as it is memorable.

A glowing altar display at Flora Farms’ Annual Day of the Dead Altar Competition in Los Cabos, Mexico

Each Halloween, the EsperanzArte Festival  at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection  brings contemporary altars, chef-curated offerings and immersive arts experiences to the clifftops overlooking the Sea of Cortés. For family-friendly fun, Ánima Village offers a laid-back tribute with an outdoor movie night and a paint-your-own-sugar-skull activity.

Along the historic cobblestone streets of San José del Cabo, the Secrets of the Catrinas Festival pulls back the curtain on how Día de los Muertos comes together. Visitors and locals are encouraged to roll up their sleeves in hands-on workshops for traditional flower arrangements, baked goods and decorations, many of which end up gracing the town’s streets and plazas.

That same spirit carries on past Día de los Muertos at the San José del Cabo Art Walk which runs every Thursday evening from November through June, turning the town’s main streets into a bustling open-air market of local artisans and folk art.

2026 Los Cabos Día de los Muertos Resort Celebrations

Leading resorts and landmarks across Los Cabos offer immersive and elegant experiences highlighting the cultural depth of the celebration.

  • Grand Velas Los Cabos and Mar del Cabo proudly present Mar de Ánimas: Between Light and Memories. A Catrina procession leads guests along the coast to Mar del Cabo, where the evening continues with folklore dance and a buffet crafted jointly by head chefs from both properties. The menu features an elevated spin on traditional Mexican cuisine, honoring the rich flavors of the holiday.

  • El Barrio at Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, invites you to a collaborative culinary journey by Chef Luis Arellano of San José del Criollo and Chef Mel Valverde of El Barrio, surrounded by marigold flowers, a traditional altar and live music. 

  • Dress up in black and white and make your way to Hacienda del Mar’s Motor Lobby on November 2 for a delicious Mexican buffet paired with live entertainment.

  • Somar Hotels & Resorts marks November 1 and 2 across its Los Cabos properties with ofrendas in each lobby, marigold-lined pathways and roaming Catrín and Catrina performers.

  • Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa puts on a “Kermés of the States of Mexico,” a community fair celebrating the food, music and customs of Mexico’s diverse states. Held in the central rotunda, the event will celebrate the flavors and traditions of Mexico’s different states against the granite cliffs at Land’s End. Restaurants throughout the resort will also serve calavera cookies that guests can personalize with icing, adding their own name or a dedication to a loved one.
     
  • Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes Resort Golf & Spa prepares a Día de los Muertos-themed dinner capturing the essence of the holiday.
     
  • Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa serves a holiday dessert menu at Calima Restaurant, which will be fully decorated for the occasion. 

  • Grand Fiesta Americana’s Chef Parade for Catrinas Night sends its culinary team through the resort in elaborate dress and painted faces, celebrating Mexican gastronomy while raising funds for Fundación Posadas.

  • Hilton Los Cabos closes out the season beachside, pairing traditional dishes with agave tastings and the sounds of a live mariachi band.

Dia de los Muertos altar at Flora Farms in Los Cabos, new MexicoDía de los Muertos FAQs

  • When is Día de los Muertos celebrated in Los Cabos?
    The main event falls every year on November 1 and 2, though festivities begin as early as October 31.

  • Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
    Not quite. The two holidays share a season, but Día de los Muertos is a distinctly Mexican tradition and a joyful, reverent remembrance of loved ones through altars, offerings and celebration, rather than costumes and trick-or-treating.

  • Is Día de los Muertos a family-friendly holiday?
    Very much so. Altar competitions, the Art Walk and public processions like Altares en el Mar welcome visitors of every age. A handful of resort events cater to adults, so it’s worth checking out event details before booking or planning to attend.

  • What should I bring or wear?
    Come as you are. Comfortable clothing is all that’s needed, though Catrina-style face paint is a festive, optional touch you’ll see throughout town. A little cash goes a long way at market stalls along the Art Walk.

Experience it Yourself

Marigolds along the marina, candlelight on the water, chefs dressed as Catrinas: Los Cabos marks this season in its own unmistakable way. Find current dates and details on our Día de los Muertos events page, and check the Los Cabos events calendar for other activities worth adding to your trip.