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A Day of the Dead festival in Puerto Vallarta organized by the Government of Jalisco. The 2026 edition is the second, according to the organizers.
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ℹ️ About This Event
The Festival de las Almas (Festival of Souls) is a Day of the Dead program organized by the State Government of Jalisco through the Ministry of Tourism and the State Entertainment Agency. According to the organizers, Puerto Vallarta’s program includes more than 28 free cultural and artistic activities along the Malecón, in the Historic Center and in the Zona Romántica. The statewide festival runs October 24 to November 15 in 12 municipalities.
GAYPV lists this public festival because it overlaps with the Halloween and Day of the Dead weekend parties and many of our readers are in town at this time. It is not an LGBTQ+ event. See more in our Halloween & Day of the Dead events, the Puerto Vallarta events calendar and our things to do guide.
💀 This Year: Festival de las Almas 2026
| Puerto Vallarta dates | October 25 to November 8, 2026 |
| Cost | Most activities are listed as free. Restaurant participation requires a reservation at each restaurant. Some private events below are ticketed. |
| Monumental Catrina | Unveiled Sunday, November 1, 7 PM at the Malecón Lighthouse. The organizers say it holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest Catrina skull (2022 and 2023). |
| 50 Catrinas | Large-format Catrinas on display along the Malecón. Dates and times to be confirmed. |
| Grand Parade | Monday, November 2, 5:30 PM. Starts at the Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre and ends at the Los Muertos Pier. |
| Pangas of Light | A boat installation decorated with flowers that lights up at dusk, in tribute to fishermen. Dates and times were not given. |
| Official schedule | visitjalisco.mx/festival-de-las-almas. The organizers note the program is subject to change. |
🗓️ Schedule: Day by Day
All activities are listed as free by the organizers unless noted. Times and places are subject to change.
| Date | Time | Activity | Place |
| Oct 25 to Nov 7 | Varies | Sabores que vuelven: participating restaurants with seasonal menus (with CANIRAC). Reservation required at each restaurant. | Participating restaurants |
| Wed, Oct 28 | 7:30 PM | El eco de las almas: ancestral offering and cultural performance | La Isla Shopping Mall amphitheater |
| To be confirmed | To be confirmed | La orilla de las ánimas: exhibition of 50 monumental Catrinas | Malecón |
| Oct 30 to Nov 3 | 6 PM | Official inauguration: tour of altars and ofrendas with a pan de muerto tasting | Public Gallery at Parque Hidalgo and Plaza de Armas |
| Oct 30 to Nov 1 | 7 PM | Memorias entre tumbas: oral tradition, film and stage experiences | Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 7 PM | Catrina runway and cultural presentation | Los Arcos del Malecón |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 7:30 to 10:30 PM | Day of the Dead video mapping by CUCOSTA multimedia students | Malecón, in front of Plaza de Armas |
| Fri, Oct 30 | 8 to 9 PM | Ballet Folclórico Gente Buena of Aguascalientes | Los Arcos del Malecón |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 6 PM | Live mariachi concert for the whole family | Plaza de Armas |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 7 PM | Family music group and cultural performances | Parque Lázaro Cárdenas |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 8 PM | Ancestral dance and Day of the Dead offering | Calle Pípila, in front of Art Walk Studio |
| Sat, Oct 31 | 8 to 9 PM | Special performance by Ballet Folclórico Gente Buena | Los Arcos del Malecón |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 7 PM | Unveiling of the Monumental Catrina | Malecón Lighthouse |
| Sun, Nov 1 | 7:30 to 10:30 PM | Day of the Dead video mapping by CUCOSTA multimedia students | Historic Center |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 5:30 PM | Grand Parade with Catrinas, comparsas and music | Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre to the Los Muertos Pier |
| Mon, Nov 2 | 7 PM | Live music | Plaza de Armas bandstand |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 6 PM | Huellas que vuelven a casa: community walk in memory of pets | Malecón to Los Arcos |
| Tue, Nov 3 | 7:15 PM | Opening of the pet memorial altar | Instituto Vallartense de Cultura, Isla del Cuale |
| Fri, Nov 6 | To be confirmed | Day of the Dead performance by Ballet Xiutla | Parque Lázaro Cárdenas |
| Nov 7 and 8 | 7 PM | Xantolo: Ballet Folclórico Yolotl Atlapech from Atlapexco, Hidalgo | Los Arcos del Malecón |
🎭 Also Announced for the Festival Season
Listed by the Jalisco Tourism Board. Check each organizer for prices and availability.
| ALMA, Rhythms of the Night | Vallarta Adventures show at Las Caletas (reached by boat), beginning October 26 |
| Day of the Dead dinner show | Casa Cúpula, Thursday, October 29 |
| Vallarta Symphony Orchestra concert | With the Coral da Universidade de Brasília and Poder Coral. Friday, October 30, 9 PM, María Reina de la Paz Church, Marina Vallarta. Tickets through SimpleTix. |
| HEAT Latin Music Awards week | October 31 to November 5, gala November 5 at the International Convention Center |
| Grill Festival | November 7 and 8, International Convention Center |
| International Gourmet Festival | Begins November 12 |
🎟️ Past Events
| Year | Edition |
| 2025 | First edition of the Festival de las Almas, according to the organizers |
| 2026 | Second edition, October 25 to November 8 in Puerto Vallarta (see the This Year box above) |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Festival de las Almas free?
The organizers list most Puerto Vallarta activities as free. The restaurant program requires a reservation at each restaurant, and private events such as the symphony concert are ticketed separately.
Where does the Day of the Dead parade end?
For 2026, the Grand Parade on Monday, November 2 at 5:30 PM starts at the Panteón Municipal 5 de Diciembre and ends at the Los Muertos Pier, in the Zona Romántica.
When is the Monumental Catrina unveiled?
Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 7 PM at the Malecón Lighthouse, according to the official schedule.
Is this an LGBTQ+ event?
No. It is a public festival organized by the Government of Jalisco. GAYPV lists it because it overlaps with Halloween and Day of the Dead weekend events in Puerto Vallarta.
Can the program change?
Yes. The organizers state the program is subject to change, and some times are still to be confirmed. Check the official schedule before you go.
🔗 Related Guides & Places
| Events | Halloween & Day of the Dead events in Puerto Vallarta |
| Calendar | Puerto Vallarta events calendar |
| Guide | Things to do in Puerto Vallarta |
Unless otherwise stated, GAYPV does not organize this event. Details come from the organizer or our own reporting, and some, such as dress code or parking, are good-faith inferences based on our local knowledge. Details may change, so please confirm with the organizer before relying on them. Event disclosure
