The Festival de las Calaveras of Aguascalientes is one of the most elaborate and well-attended Day of the Dead celebrations in the country. Unlike the indigenous celebrations of Oaxaca or Michoacán, the Aguascalientes festival is an urban and artistic expression influenced by engraver José Guadalupe Posada—a native of Aguascalientes—that blends allegorical floats, street theater, literary skull contests, and a permanent exhibition of catrina art.
History
José Guadalupe Posada, born in Aguascalientes in 1852, created the image of La Catrina that became the universal symbol of Mexican Day of the Dead. Diego Rivera incorporated the figure in his mural Sueño de una Tarde Dominical en la Alameda in 1947. The Festival de las Calaveras was born in the 1990s to honor this artistic legacy and today draws more than 500,000 visitors during the first days of November.
🗺️ How to get there
Flight to Aguascalientes from CDMX (1h15). Also bus service from Guadalajara (2h) or León (1.5h).
🏨 Where to stay
Hotels in downtown Aguascalientes, 10 minutes from the main events.
Event details
- When
- Del 29 de octubre al 3 de noviembre
- Duration
- 6 días
- Venue
- Jardín de San Marcos, Calzada La Chona
- City
- Aguascalientes
Category
Cultural
