The Day of the Dead is one of Mexico’s most important traditions, a celebration that brings together millions of people both within and outside the country to honor those who are no longer with us.
Amid offerings, cempasúchil flowers, papel picado, and visits to the cemetery, each family finds its own way to keep memories alive. This year, the capital’s traditional celebrations are joined by an event inspired by Southeast Asian lantern festivals, which will bring a piece of that world to the heart of Chapultepec.
A festival of lights right in the heart of Chapultepec
The Water Lantern Festival will be held on October 30 and 31 and November 1, 2026, at the Xochipilli Fountain, next to the Main Lake in the Second Section of Chapultepec Forest. The event will be part of the Chapultepec Day of the Dead Festival, which also features music, food, altars, and nighttime performances.
The main activity is simple, but it holds special meaning: each participant receives a lantern that they can decorate with a message, a memory, a dedication to a loved one, or a wish for the future. At sunset, people gather by the water to place their creations on the lake and watch as hundreds of lights reflect off the surface.
30 October 2026 15:00 + more dates
Lago Mayor de Chapultepec
The evening will also feature live music, special performances, activities inspired by the Day of the Dead, and stalls offering food, drinks, and products from local artisans and vendors. The idea is to combine the atmosphere of an outdoor festival with a more intimate moment to remember, give thanks, and share with family and friends.
Lasting approximately four hours, the experience begins in the afternoon, and the lantern release is scheduled for sunset.
What is the Water Lantern Festival?
The Water Lantern Festival is an international event that combines music, socializing, and the collective release of floating lanterns bearing personal messages. It began in 2018 and has since been held in more than 175 cities, with millions of lanterns released over the course of its various editions.
The event is reminiscent of Asian light festivals, particularly the lantern celebrations in Chiang Mai, Thailand, though it is not an exact reproduction of their traditional rituals.
