10 Things to Do in Mexico City in October

Mexico City is a tourist destination not to be missed, with a rich ancestral culture. During the month of October, it becomes an even more special place as it begins to celebrate the Day of the Dead, a holiday that attracts travellers from all over the world. The city is filled with colour and tradition, with altars in honour of the dead, skull parades and a variety of cultural activities.

There are so many things to see and do in Mexico throughout the year, but if you have the chance to visit in October, you will find a vibrant city with a unique atmosphere that will fascinate you. That's why in this article I present the 10 things you can't miss if you visit the Mexican capital in the tenth month of the year.

Day of the Dead celebrations in Mexico City and throughout the country are a very important part of Mexico's ancestral roots and culture. During the months of October and November, the whole country honours its dead, celebrating death as part of life. The celebrations usually begin around 22 October every year.

If you are lucky enough to be in Mexico City in October, you can be part of this celebration that attracts visitors from all over the world, where the city dresses up with colours, flowers, ofrendas, parades, skull markets and more. The main event of this celebration is the Day of the Dead Grand Parade, which is about 9 km long and covers about 2 km with floats, huge balloons, titans (puppets and giant skulls), mobile ofrendas, grim reapers, catrinas, live music, among others.

Don't miss the special illumination of the Zócalo, the city's main square, and Reforma Street, the parade and monumental alebrijes contest at the Museum of Popular Art, the Day of the Dead community procession and the festival of Ofrendas and Floral Arrangements. There are many events all over the city and most of them are free, so I recommend you check the city's websites to make sure you don't miss anything.

The Day of the Dead in Mexico, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008, is a very significant holiday for the Mexican people, so taking a guided tour of Mexico City, or on your own, on these dates is a great opportunity for you to get to know this fascinating culture.

As part of the Day of the Dead celebrations, one of the traditional ways of honouring the dead is by means of very creative ofrendas that can be seen all over the city.

One of the most anticipated is the Day of the Dead Monumental Offering that is presented in the Zócalo, the city's main square, on the last days of October, which usually features monumental skull sculptures in traditional clothing, thousands of cempasúchiles, which are orange flowers that symbolise the Day of the Dead in Mexico, and a very special illumination.

Other very representative ofrendas in the city are the Mega Ofrendas of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), which emerged as an initiative of students and have been held since 1997. In addition, the main museums in Mexico City present their giant offerings, such as the Frida Kahlo Museum and the Dolores Olmedo Museum.

It is a perfect time to visit the most representative sites of the city in a Hop on Hop off tourist bus or walking, because besides the museums, in many cultural spaces, businesses and houses you can see these ofrendas decorated with cempasúchiles and traditional elements such as pan de muerto, sugar skulls, candles, incense, salt, water, and the photo of the deceased being honoured, which is not always visible to the public, among other things.

One of the biggest art exhibitions in Mexico, which comes along with autumn and heralds the celebration of the Day of the Dead, is Mexicráneos. During the month of October, local and international artists come together to design and decorate giant-sized skulls that are exhibited on the famous Reforma Avenue and Bicentennial Park.

The skulls decorated with vibrant colours and exquisite details are simply breathtaking, so you can't miss the opportunity to have your picture taken next to one of these particular pieces of art. Their designs relate to different traditions of the country, such as Mexican wrestling experiences, but you will also find more modern and minimalist designs.

Visiting this unique exhibition is the ideal way to start this month full of festivities and traditions, without a doubt one of the best times to go to Mexico City.

More information about the exhibition

• Location: Paseo de la Reforma Avenue and Bicentennial Park.
• Days and hours: from the second week of October from Tuesday to Sunday from 7 am to 7 pm.

If the idea of a night of scares, screams and intense thrills appeals to you, you can't miss the Six Flags Festival of Terror, a Halloween-related event that has been scaring visitors since 2000.

For a few days in September in Mexico City and throughout October, the Six Flags Mexico theme park is transformed into a world of terror and mystery. The lights go out, the decorations change, and costumed actors lurk everywhere. The atmosphere is set to make your worst nightmares come true.

Several houses of terror are set up at the event, such as the asylum, where you will have to walk through dark corridors while being chased by monsters and terrifying creatures. But this is just the beginning: there are many other themed attractions that will make you shiver with fear.

If you decide to attend Six Flags Fright Fest, I recommend that you wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking and running. It's also a good idea to bring a jacket, as in October nights in Mexico City can be chilly. And I assure you that once you try it, you won't be able to wait to come back the following year!

Read more about the event

• Location: Picacho Ajusco road, kilometre 1.5, Jardines del Ajusco, Tlalpan, Mexico City.
• Entry fee: approximately €6 per person.

La Llorona Xochimilco is a theatrical show that will surely make your skin crawl. The play, which is performed annually in the month of October, proposes that you delve into an ancient legend and experience it firsthand. In this theatrical show, which takes place annually in October, the legend of La Llorona comes to life through the magic of theatre, music and special effects.

This show will take you back to pre-Hispanic times in Mexico, when the legend of La Llorona originated. In addition, you will be able to live the experience with all your senses, as you will be able to see, hear, feel and even smell the legend. The traditional music, the typical costumes and the special effects will make you feel part of the story, and live the emotion and mystery of the legend.

In addition, to get to the Cuemanco pier, where the La Llorona show takes place, you will have to get on a trajinera, a small boat typical of Xochimilco, which will take you surrounded by flowers through the canals. Once you arrive, you will be immersed in the magical and picturesque atmosphere of Xochimilco.

It is important that you reserve your tickets in advance, as the show is very popular and tickets sell out quickly. You can do so online or at the ticket offices at the Cuemanco pier. The show is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Mexico at night and, as it takes place outdoors, it is important that you wear warm and comfortable clothes.

More info about the show

• Location: Av. Hermenegildo Galeana, s/n, Xaltocan. Xochimilco, 16090.
• Price: The price of the show, together with the rental of the trajinera, is around 26€.

If you are a book devourer, or a cultural adventurer in search of interesting events, you can't miss the Feria Internacional del Libro del Zócalo, an annual event that has been held for more than 30 years and is a true paradise for literature and culture lovers. It is held every year in the second or third week of October.

The Zócalo International Book Fair is much more than a book exhibition. It is also a space for dialogue, learning and entertainment. During the days of the event, books of all kinds are presented and activities for all ages are organised.

It is a great opportunity to attend conferences and workshops given by experts in the field, or to go to poetry readings and recitals. But the fair is not only for book lovers, as there are also concerts of traditional music and circus shows for the whole family.

If you are curious about Mexican culture, you will love this event. The fair, which is considered the most important in the country, is undoubtedly oneof the best activities in Mexico City.

More information about the fair

• Location: Plaza de la Constitución S/N, Centro Histórico de la Cdad. de México.
• Hours: from 12 to 20 hs.
• Admission: free.

Are you up for the creepiest experience of your life? If you are a fan of terror and fun, you can't miss the Zombie March in Mexico City. Every year, thousands of people from all over the world gather to participate in this parade of the living dead and enjoy an afternoon full of fun and scares.

The March of the Zombies takes place in the heart of Mexico City along the streets of the historic centre. It is an impressive spectacle, with a large number of zombies in costumes and make-up with incredible realism, accompanied by music and special effects that will make your skin crawl.

This event usually takes place in the last week of October or the first weeks of November, in the morning. It is recommended that you arrive early to find a good spot to watch the parade and avoid the crowds.

More information about the parade

• Location: Historic Centre of Mexico City.
• Hours: from 9am.
• Entry fee: free.

If you visit the city in October, you can't miss the Catrina Fest, a festival that celebrates the iconic figure of the Catrina, the symbol of Mexico's Day of the Dead.

Catrina Fest takes place throughout the month of October and features a variety of events, including parades, art exhibitions, live music performances and the chance to experience Mexico City's gastronomy. This festival is a unique opportunity to experience the rich Mexican culture and immerse yourself in the traditions of the Day of the Dead.

The main events of the festival take place on 31 October and 1 November, when thousands of people dress up as catrinas and participate in the Grand Catrina Parade. The parade starts at the emblematic Reforma Street and goes through some of the most important streets of the historic centre of the city.

To enjoy this event to the fullest, it is recommended that you arrive early to ensure a good spot to watch the parade, and don't forget to bring your camera to capture its most memorable moments. It is also important to keep in mind that the streets can be very crowded, so make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for walking. Participating in this parade will allow you to tour the city and get to know its most emblematic sites.

Every last Wednesday of the month, the galleries and museums of Mexico City open their doors for visitors in the evening. But during the Night of the Museums in October, some museums and cultural centres present exhibitions and activities related to the Day of the Dead, the traditional Mexican festivity.

Offerings, sugar skull workshops, lectures on funeral rites, guided tours through cemeteries and emblematic places of this celebration, are some of the activities you can experience. Other events, in different places in Mexico City, are:

• National Museum of World Cultures: exhibition and parade of contemporary catrinas.
• Los Pinos Cultural Complex: in addition to its spectacular display of ofrendas, the complex usually offers a tasting of pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and chocolate.
• Museo del Panteón de San Fernando: this site usually offers a tour narrating some of the stories of the pantheon set in historical moments of the XIX century.
• Museo Manuel Tolsá: it usually offers talks about mummies and Egyptian curses, as well as a photographic exhibition of catrinas.

In addition to the museums, there are many other activities that take place in the framework of the Day of the Dead. For example, bicycle tours through the historic city centre, guided tours of the most emblematic neighbourhoods, competitions, costume parades and live concerts in public squares.

More information

• Recommendations: to attend the Night of Museums, reservations are usually made on social networks or through the specialised mail of each venue.
• Ticket price: free access to almost all activities.

The Aquelarre Fest offers a world of spells and incantations that will transport you to another world. This event takes place on the eve of Halloween, offering a camp that seeks to rescue the traditions and esoteric practices of Mexican culture.

Rituals, spells, pagan dances, offerings to the dead, broomstick parade, wiccan dances, contests and an endless number of activities that will allow you to connect with your spiritual side, are some of the things you will find in this meeting of magical cultures.

In addition, in the pagan bazaar you will find a great variety of magical articles, from candles and tarot to magical tools and potions. There is also a special area where you will find tasty food and drinks.

Whether you are interested in magic or not, you can't miss the opportunity to experience the magic of Aquelarre Fest and immerse yourself in a world of spells and incantations that will surely surprise you.

More info about Aquelarre Fest

• Location: may vary within Mexico City.
• Hours: from 8 am to 6 pm approximately.
• Date: last days of October
• Entry fee: around 8 EUR.