Death comes alive during the celebration of the Dias del Muertos in Oaxaca. The days where it is believed relatives who have passed away are allowed to return to the mortal world. People flock from all over to the Colonial city as Oaxaca is one of the premier locations to experience the event.

The festival which is a mixing of Pre-Hispanic and Catholic cultural and religious beliefs officially begins on
Oct 31st. Nov 1st honours deceased children (Dia de los Inocentes) and Nov 2nd Dia de los Muertos, adults are honoured.

Loved ones gather in the cemeteries to decorate the graves making alters and offerings of items they enjoyed when they were alive.The celebrations begin well before these three important dates with fire crackers being set off throughout the day and night. The pedestrian street Acala transforms into a magnificent display of sand sculptures depicting various religious and festive images, including Catrina the female skeleton that is a symbol of the days. Alters adorn with marigolds (the flower of death) overflow into the university and the Zocalo.

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