Xcaret Park is gearing up for the 14th Xcaret Festival of Life & Death from October 29 to November 3. This annual Riviera Maya event is a celebration of customs, rituals and beliefs associated with Dia de Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead, a tradition that is on the World Heritage list in the intangible culture category.
From seeing Day of the Dead altars laden with offerings to the departed to music, dance, art, theater, crafts and cuisine, the Xcaret Festival of Life & Death is an amazing experience.
Each year a Mexican state is invited to take part in the Festival and showcase its traditions, joining Mayan communities from Quintana Roo. This year, representatives of the state of San Luis Potosi will be reenacting the Xantolo, Day of the Dead customs from the highland region known as the Huasteca Potosina. They include processions, altars, art, textiles, cuisine, dances and songs known as huapangos.
Mayan communities from the Zona Maya in central Quintana Roo offer visitors a glimpse of the traditions associated with Hanal Pixan, the Maya Day of the Dead. These include altars and the preparation of dishes such as mucbil pollo ritually offered to the spirits returning to earth to be with their loved ones.
Spain and Peru are also special guests at this year’s Festival in Xcaret.
Tickets for the Xcaret Festival of Life & Death are on sale online https://www.festivaldevidaymuerte.com/en/ Ask at the Thomas More Travel desk if you would like to go to Xcaret.
