From October 28 to November 2, Guanajuato capital will be filled with tradition, art, and culture with the celebration of the 8th Day of the Dead Festival 2026, which this year will feature the performances of Bon Odori, with the aim of strengthening cultural exchange with Japan.
The Camino al Mictlán, the Monumental Altar on the steps of the Central Building of the University of Guanajuato (UG), as well as the entire tradition of flavors in the city's tunnels and the Bon Odori performances from Japan, are already getting ready for the 8th Day of the Dead Festival 2026, which will take place from October 28 to November 2 in Guanajuato capital.
Following the vision of the Governor of the People, Libia Dennise García Muñoz Ledo, the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato, María Guadalupe Robles León, participated in the presentation of the Festival in Mexico City, where she highlighted that this celebration has become a national cultural and tourism benchmark, capable of attracting visitors, generating economic activity, and opening up new opportunities for Guanajuato families.
The Secretary of Tourism and Identity also said that for this edition, the Organizing Committee expects 250,000 attendees, representing projected growth of 14 percent in attendance and 19 percent in economic impact compared to 2025. Additionally, an average hotel occupancy of 78 percent is expected during the festival days.
“These figures translate into opportunities for hotels, restaurants, traditional cooks, artisans, merchants, and providers of tourism services, who find large events a platform to share their work, strengthen their businesses, and bring the benefits of tourism to more people”, she told the media.
A tradition that crosses borders this year: Japan
During the presentation, it was also said that the Day of the Dead Festival also seeks to strengthen its international projection, particularly in the markets of East Asia. And after China’s participation in the previous edition, in 2026 Japan will join the celebration, fostering cultural exchange between two cultures that recognize the value of memory, traditions, and respect for ancestors.
As part of this connection, the program includes performances of Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese expression that will enrich the experience and contribute to strengthening cultural ties between the two countries.
“The presence of new international expressions confirms Guanajuato’s potential to attract tourist markets and share its identity beyond borders, through experiences that connect people with history, art, and traditions,” explained the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato.
Six days to experience Guanajuato through its traditions
From October 28 to November 2, the Calle Subterránea (Underground Street), the squares and alleys of Guanajuato capital will be the scene of catrinas, monumental altars, traditional carpets, processions, video mapping, gastronomy, handicrafts and various artistic expressions.
Highlights include the Túnel de la Tradición (Tunnel of Tradition), the Monumental Offering of the University of Guanajuato, the Catrina parade, the screening of “El Santo contra las Momias de Guanajuato” at the Panteón de Santa Paula, and the Camino al Mictlán; cultural activities that will allow national and international visitors to discover different ways of honoring the memory of those who are no longer with us.
In addition, the festival will open up spaces for 294 businesses, including 206 artisans, who will have the opportunity to exhibit and market their products in front of thousands of visitors, strengthening the local economy and the value of traditional crafts.
Guanajuato, a destination of great experiences
The Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato also detailed that the Day of the Dead Festival is part of an agenda of events that contributes to positioning Guanajuato as an international destination, along with the Cervantino International Festival (FIC), the International Balloon Festival (FIG) in León and the first International Gala of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in San Miguel de Allende.
“This diversity of events strengthens the state's presence in segments such as cultural tourism, meetings, wine tourism, gastronomy, and major festivals, leveraging its infrastructure, connectivity, and heritage wealth to attract new visitors”, reiterated the head of the Secretariat of Tourism and Identity (SECTURI).
Currently, tourism represents a fundamental activity for the state economy, with more than 227,000 people employed in the sector, so the Government of the People is driving actions that expand development opportunities and ensure that the benefits of this activity reach more communities.
“Guanajuato extends an invitation to explore its streets, discover its traditions, and be part of a celebration that transforms Day of the Dead into an encounter between memory, art, life, and identity”, reiterated the Secretary of Tourism and Identity of Guanajuato.
