Día de Muertos 2026: Events in Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit

If you are new to Mexico—or simply want to experience Día de Muertos like a local—Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit offer an incredible lineup of cultural events in 2026.

From monumental Catrinas and traditional altars to parades, live music and theatrical cemetery tours, there are plenty of opportunities to experience this uniquely Mexican tradition.

There are even different celebrations for different categories of loved ones and each has their own day. In Mexico, the dead are celebrated over 8 nights.

Oct 27 - Our beloved animals

Oct 28 - Those who left without saying goodbye

Oct 29 - Those the water took

Oct 30 - The forgotten and lonely souls

Oct 31 - The door opens

Nov 1 - Los angelitos, the little ones

Nov 2 - The grown ones who know the way home

Nov 3 - The farewell

Local tip: we don’t say “Happy Day of the Dead”.

Here is where to find the latest schedules and what to look for.

 Puerto Vallarta: Festival de las Almas 2026

Puerto Vallarta's official Día de Muertos programming is part of Jalisco's Festival de las Almas, with the main Puerto Vallarta celebrations taking place October 31 through November 2, 2026. The public municipal events are free.

For the most current official schedule, start with the Visit Puerto Vallarta Día de Muertos guide, which provides the city's event information and updates. [Visit Puerto Vallarta — Día de Muertos 2026](https://visitpuertovallarta.com/lp/dia-de-muertos )

The program includes activities throughout the Historic Center, Malecón, Romantic Zone and other locations.

 What can you expect?

Malecón & Los Arcos

The Malecón will be one of the major focal points, with monumental Catrinas, public art, altars and cultural performances. Los Arcos will also host music and folkloric performances.

Plaza de Armas & Parque Lázaro Cárdenas

Expect live music and traditional Mexican performances, including mariachi, danzón, cumbia and other cultural presentations.

Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre

For a more traditional experience, visit Puerto Vallarta's historic 5 de Diciembre cemetery, where Día de Muertos activities include storytelling, theatrical performances and other cultural programming.

 Don't Miss the November 2 Día de Muertos Parade

The Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

- 5:30 PM: Parade contingents begin assembling

- 6:00 PM: Parade departs from the Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre

- Approximately 8:00 PM: Parade reaches the Muelle de Playa Los Muertos

The procession will feature Catrinas, dancers, musicians, floats, traditional costumes and other performances as it travels from the cemetery toward the ocean.

After the parade reaches Playa Los Muertos, additional entertainment is scheduled at the pier, including folkloric ballet, mariachi and a musical performance.

Tip: This is a very popular event. If you want a good viewing location along the route, arrive early and expect substantial crowds.

November 1^st take in a Cacao ceremony in honor of the memory of those who passed on with Kuku Cocao at the Flying Heart Yoga (Basilo Badillo 325, 3^rd floor). Arrive at 11:15am. Contribution 810 mxn.  Reservations required.

 Cemetery Tours: A Different Way to Experience Día de Muertos

One of the more unusual experiences during the festival is “Memorias entre Tumbas” at the Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre.

The official program describes theatrical tours, oral storytelling and Mexican horror-film screenings taking place at the historic cemetery.

For the night of Sunday, November 1, guided theatrical cemetery tours are scheduled at:

- 10:00 PM

- 10:30 PM

- 11:00 PM

The tours, titled “Entre tumbas y recuerdos,” combine local legends and theatrical performances with the atmosphere of the historic cemetery. The events are presented in Spanish.

For November 2, the cemetery is also the starting point for the 6:00 PM parade.

If you are interested in experiencing the cemetery rather than simply watching the parade, this can be one of the most memorable—and culturally interesting—parts of the celebration.

 Riviera Nayarit & Bucerías

The celebrations don't stop at the Jalisco–Nayarit border.

Communities throughout Bahía de Banderas and Riviera Nayarit organize their own Día de Muertos activities, with events varying by town.

Bucerías, in particular, offers a more intimate small-town experience compared with the large-scale celebrations in Puerto Vallarta. If you have a hard time with large crowds, a smaller venue may be more comfortable for you. Local programming can include Catrina and skull parades, decorated altars and activities around the town square.

Oct 28^th Hearts for Arts fundraiser: cook together and share a meal, discuss stories behind Dia de Los Muertos heartsforartsnayarit@gmail.com 1600 mxn per person.

Oct 31^st at 6pm is the Day of the Dead horseback parade. Riders will gather at Explanada Corona, the parade will head down highway 200 North to South, turn at the Royal Decameron traffic light and head towards the beach, circle around through Zona Dorada and finish at Centro. Everyone is welcome, expect ornate attire and decorations.

For regional updates and event information, check the PuertoVallarta.Net Día de Muertos guide as the dates approach.

Because schedules can change and individual community events are often announced separately, it is worth checking local announcements shortly before attending.

 Make a Day of It

One of the best things about experiencing Día de Muertos in this part of Mexico is that you don't have to choose between culture and the beach.

A possible November 2 itinerary could be:

Morning: 

Visit a local cemetery or explore Día de Muertos altars and decorations.

Afternoon: 

Enjoy lunch in the Historic Center or Romantic Zone and walk along the Malecón.

Late afternoon: 

Head toward the 5 de Diciembre neighborhood and find a viewing location for the parade.

6:00 PM: 

Watch the Gran Desfile depart from the cemetery OR go to the Altar Creation, Pan Muerto baking, Calavera face painting at Playa Agora in Sayulita (745 mxn / $45 USD).

Evening: 

Follow the procession toward Playa Los Muertos and enjoy the performances around the pier.

 A Few Tips for First-Time Visitors

Día de Muertos is a cultural and family celebration, not simply a tourist event. If you visit a cemetery, remember that it remains an important place for local families.

A few simple courtesies go a long way:

- Be respectful around families visiting graves.

- Don't touch offerings, flowers or personal belongings.

- Ask permission before photographing people.

- Avoid using flash during prayers or intimate family moments.

- Wear comfortable shoes—the parade and many events involve considerable walking.

- Bring water and sun protection.

- Arrive early for the November 2 parade.

- Check the official schedule before heading out because event times and locations can change.

 Where to Check the Schedule

For the most reliable information, use official tourism and government announcements rather than relying solely on social media posts.

Puerto Vallarta: 

[Visit Puerto Vallarta — Official Día de Muertos Guide]( https://visitpuertovallarta.com/lp/dia-de-muertos )

Jalisco: 

[Festival de las Almas — Puerto Vallarta](https://visitjalisco.mx/festival-de-las-almas/sedes/puerto-vallarta )

For additional local updates and community event information, local Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit publications can be useful—but always verify important times against the official municipal or tourism schedule.

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 To learn more about La Catarina: read https://www.globalrealestatemexico.com/blog/dia-de-muertos-in-mexico-the-story-behind-la-catrina-and-a-celebration-of-life 

 Experience Mexico Beyond the Real Estate

At Global Real Estate México, we believe that understanding Mexico means experiencing more than its beaches and beautiful homes.

Día de Muertos is a perfect example. It is an opportunity to experience the history, creativity, family traditions and community spirit that make Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit such special places to live.

Whether you're visiting for a vacation or considering making Mexico your home, get out, explore, and experience the culture for yourself.

Have a great Día de Muertos!