Puerto Vallarta Plans 28 Día de Muertos Activities

Puerto Vallarta joins Jalisco’s Festival de las Ánimas from October 24 through November 2, bringing the statewide celebration to the city’s waterfront and historic center. The Jalisco State Entertainment Agency and the Jalisco Tourism Secretariat are organizing the festival. Puerto Vallarta’s local program is called La Orilla de las Ánimas. About 28 activities are planned across Puerto Vallarta. Along the Malecón and in the historic center, visitors can expect Catrinas, traditional ofrendas, cultural activities, and nighttime events set against Banderas Bay. The bay will be at the center of the city’s celebration, while the local program connects Día de Muertos traditions with the ocean and fishing. The monumental Catrina will return for Puerto Vallarta’s 2026 Día de Muertos celebrations and will again serve as a centerpiece. The installation has become a familiar part of the city’s Día de Muertos celebrations. Its return is part of a program that will bring Catrinas, cultural activities, and evening events to the waterfront and historic center. Puerto Vallarta’s program is intended to offer visitors a distinctly Puerto Vallarta way to experience Día de Muertos. The festival is also intended to provide an opportunity to experience Mexican traditions and learn how different communities across Jalisco observe the celebration. Día de Muertos is described as one of Mexico’s best-known cultural celebrations. For the first time, more than 11 municipalities across Jalisco will coordinate their Día de Muertos activities as one statewide festival. Participating destinations include the Valles region, the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Chapala, and Puerto Vallarta. Each destination will contribute its own customs, history, surroundings, and traditions, creating a collection of experiences rather than one single Día de Muertos event. The celebration has a tourism goal and gives Puerto Vallarta another opportunity to showcase the city beyond its beaches and sunsets. Organizers hope several days of cultural and recreational activities will encourage visitors to stay two or three days and explore more participating destinations. The statewide festival will give visitors an opportunity to experience Día de Muertos in several different communities. Visitors can use October 24 through November 2 as the festival window and head to the Malecón and historic center for the announced Catrinas, ofrendas, cultural activities, and nighttime events.