Hi Mexico-loving friends,
I have been getting a ton of emails from many of you about what Mexico City and several other cities around Mexico are planning to do for Day of the Dead this year.
Mexico City announced several months ago that most of their usual activities like the parade will be held virtually in 2020.
That means only private tours and experiences are possible this year if you want to visit Mexico City during Day of the Dead.
Oaxaca has also recently announced that all Day of the Dead activities are cancelled, including cemeteries.
However, there are still a few ways that you can take part in the celebrations both in person and virtually, depending on where you are in the world.
Day of the Dead in Mexico City
If you are already in Mexico City or are planning to be here during the last weekend of October, you can take part in a small group tour with one of the best tour guides in Mexico, Anais of Devoured Tours.
Anais has put together two events for October 31st that abide by all Covid safety protocols and aims to help you learn about the customs and traditions of Day of the Dead while enjoying the delicious foods of this holiday.
I will actually be going to one of these meals which I'm so excited about. I have known Anais for four years and have never had the opportunity to join one of her amazing Day of the Dead experiences, so I'm really looking forward to exploring the chinampas of Xochimilco, eating traditional food, and sipping some top-quality mezcal. You can join me on this small group tour by signing up here.
The other option that she will be offering is an evening meal where you learn all about the altars that are created to celebrate and remember family members who have passed. This tour also includes a meal from a local chef and a mezcal sampling. You can book that tour here.
One of the great things about this tour is that it is supporting small, locally-owned businesses who have really suffered financially these last eight months. Without tourists, many of these artisan food and drink experts have been completely without work. But Anais is bringing them together in one of the country's most celebrated times of year to show a small group of you the magic of Mexico's rich traditions.
Celebrate Virtually
If you're not in Mexico, but you still want to learn more about this holiday and take part in different experiences, you still can!
I will be sharing links from Mexico City's official streams when they become available. Stay tuned for that email and you can follow along with the events that they will be putting on virtually to celebrate Day of the Dead.
Today I am participating in a fun Day of the Dead virtual event with Discover Oaxaca. They are a small tour agency based in Oaxaca who are working to try to keep their tour guides in jobs throughout this pandemic. For only $20 USD you can join one of their weekly events to learn all about the history and tradition behind Day of the Dead in Oaxaca. Read more about their virtual events and sign up for one here.
For those of you that have been following me for a while, you're probably familiar with my good friend Ubish of Mexico Underground. He has been my food guide to this country since I arrived back in 2016. He's a podcaster, chef, and culinary guide in Mexico City and he will also be running a fun and free event on his Instagram closer to Day of the Dead. Be sure to follow him on his Instagram so you can take part by asking questions and watching the live responses later this month. You can follow him here.
Other Mexico Updates
I recently returned from a work-related trip to Sayulita where I fell in love even further with Nayarit. If you haven't already checked out my videos from my experience there, you can find them here:
As always, if you have any other questions, please feel free to hit reply and ask away.
Until next time,
Laura
