A 32-meter-tall Catrina is coming to the heart of Mexico City! The 2026 Zócalo Monumental Altar is about to open, and this year it aims to break a Guinness World Record with a giant figure dedicated to one of the most iconic figures of the Day of the Dead.
The installation will open to the public on Thursday, October 29, and will remain on display through Monday, November 2. In addition to La Catrina, there will be thousands of cempasúchil flowers, sawdust rugs, axolotl sculptures, and special lighting on the buildings in the Historic Center.
When does the 2026 Zócalo Monumental Altar open, and what are its hours?
The opening is scheduled for Thursday, October 29. Some media outlets report that it will begin at 7:00 p.m., although the exact time is still pending official confirmation.
And what time can you visit it? Since the display will be set up outdoors in the Plaza de la Constitución, there are no set opening and closing hours. This means you can explore it both during the day and at night.
One of the best times to see it will be at dusk, when you can admire the themed lighting on the buildings surrounding the Zócalo. However, the time when the lights will be turned off has not yet been confirmed.
A 32-meter-tall Catrina that aims to break a Guinness World Record
The star of this year’s event will be a massive Catrina crafted using traditional cardboard-crafting techniques by artists from the eastern part of Mexico City.
The figure will pay tribute to José Guadalupe Posada and aim to break the record set by a 28-meter-tall Catrina installed in Puerto Vallarta. For now, recognition by Guinness World Records is still pending.
And there will be much more! The plaza will be filled with approximately 100,000 cempasúchil plants from local growers, as well as axolotl sculptures created by artists and cultural collectives.
How do I get to the Zócalo Monumental Altar?
The easiest way is to use public transportation. You can get there via Metro Line 2 to the Zócalo/Tenochtitlan station, although you should be aware of possible service disruptions due to the celebrations.
Another option is to get off at Allende or Pino Suárez and walk toward the Plaza de la Constitución.
- 📅 Date: October 29–November 2, 2026
- 📍 Location: Zócalo in Mexico City, Historic Center
- 🕒 Hours: Open 24 hours
- 🎟️ Cost: Free admission
