Day of the Dead Overview

The last night of October is the traditional time families keep vigil at the graves of departed relatives in anticipation of the “Day of the Dead”, which falls on November first. All that day family members and friends of the deceased will have labored to decorate the graves of  loved ones with floral arrangements or tapestries created using flower petals or colored sand. The cemeteries in Xoxocotlan - both the old one in the center of town and the new one on the outskirts of the city - have a carnival-like atmosphere, with choirs singing, rock bands playing, food vendors lining the streets and flocks of tourists on hand to witness the event. The scene at the cemetery in Atzompa will be more sedate. There families will sit quietly beside graves, keeping watch through the night to the light of thousands of candles.  The community of San Felipe keeps vigil in the town cemetery the night of 2 November, while residents of San Antonino decorate their graves and keep vigil on 3 November.

Schedule for San Felipe Cemetery Tour

Plan to arrive before 8:00 pm at the Oaxaca Lending Library (OLL) to check-in

8:00 pm to 8:20 - Orientation at the OLL

8:30 pm - Van will depart from Llano Park

9:00 pm - Visit cemetery in San Felipe del Agua

11:00 pm - Return to OLL

Recommendations

• Walking shoes
• Dress for cool evening, Jacket recommended
• Flashlight (low to medium power, cell phone light will not be enough)
• Optional: Camera, Cellphone camera, NO FLASH (Taking photos is permitted but please be respectful)