Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Thousands of people participated in the traditional Day of the Dead celebrations around Quintana Roo. In Cancun, Mayor Ana Paty Peralta reported over 75,000 people attended the city’s Janal Pixan celebrations.
The three-day outdoor celebration of the Mayan Day of the Dead (Janal Pixan) attracted over 75,000 people. The celebrations extended across the state and the country to honor deceased loved ones.
“With an atmosphere enveloped in the perfume of copal, the orange petals of the marigold and the characteristic whisper of the Caribbean Sea, Mayor Ana Paty Peralta, with Governor Mara Lezama, led the Janal Pixan Festival in Puerto Juarez,” the City of Cancun said in a statement.
At sunset, catrinas arrived by maritime procession from the sea amidst lights, traditional music and incense, guided by the ancestral echo of the conch shell.
Dressed in traditional Yucatan Peninsula attire and wearing flower crowns, authorities walked in the classic parade that started from the pier on 45th Street and went to the entrance of this historic sub-delegation.
The streets were lined with 120 artisan stands, 50 food stands and 51 altars. The route conveyed a visual feast through dancing skulls, multicolored troupes and allegorical figures that mingled with the joy of families, tourists, and neighbors who enjoyed themselves to the rhythm of Mexican music.
Upon arriving at the main stage, transformed into an acoustic shell, Ana Paty Peralta emphasized that Janal Pixán is a celebration that unites the people of Cancun, a celebration of life and an honor to the memory of loved ones.
“This event is here to stay; it will become an institution so that it doesn’t just exist for a few administrations,” she stated.
Furthermore, she acknowledged the great effort of the staff of the various municipal departments, local artists, musicians, artisans, as well as business owners and the general public, who brought to life the most representative Mexican festival to honor life and death.
Governor Lezama recalled that this festival began four years ago thanks to the municipal trustee, Miguel Ángel Zenteno, and has grown every year since.
“They haven’t just improved it, they’ve grown it with impressive passion. Congratulations, Ana Paty,” she commented.
In an atmosphere filled with music, aromas and tradition, both authorities spoke with the citizens, recognized the talent of local artisans and tasted the typical flavors of the season, reaffirming that these cultural expressions are the reflection of our identity and the bond that unites all Mexicans around respect, memory and love for our roots.
Throughout the day, attendees also enjoyed the themed pavilions, where altars with offerings, handcrafted pieces, and a wide array of seasonal dishes were on display such as pibipollos, tamales, hot chocolate, champurrado, and pan de muerto. These were complemented by snacks, regional sweets, and traditional drinks that sweetened the evening.
