El Día de los Muertos

El Día de los Muertos is one of  the oldest celebrations in the world. Many of the customs praticed today originated from the rituals practiced by ancient Aztec and Mayan civilizations! The Day of the Dead is also celebrated throughout the world in Catholic countries, but because Mexico was under Spanish rule for three hundred years, the ancient Aztec traditions have blended with Catholic ones to create the customs that are celebrated in Mexico today...

On November 1st , the spirit realm is open, and loved ones that have passed away come to visit their families. November 1st is for the young angels, "angelitos". Families will spend all night on October 31st in the graveyards to  be there at midnight when their angelitos first arrive. This is a time when families share memories and think of the good times they shared with their loved ones.

November 2nd the families celebrate the older spirits, and

shrines and alters are set up in homes and graveyards.

They include photos and favorite keepsakes along with favorite foods and lots of marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, pan de muerto, "bread of the dead"and photos of the deceased.

The Day of the Dead was originally a family tradition celebrated throughout Mexico and Latin America, but all that changed in 2015 with Hollywood's production of the James Bond-007 movie Spectre.

After the release of the movie, the Mexican Dept of Tourism, was concerned that tourists would come to Mexico with the expectation of a parade for el Día de los Muertos and be disappointed if they didn't see one...

and the rest, is history.