Looking for a place to revel in this year’s Day of the Dead festivities? Here is a listing of the highlights of the special events taking place next week in the Lake Chapala region.
CHAPALA
The Olas de Recuerdos (Waves of Memories) Festival kicks off Tuesday, October 31, 5 p.m., at the Centro Cultural González Gallo with a Catrinas fashion show costumed by designer Paul Medina. A Dia de Muertos video mapping on the façade of City Hall follows at 8:30 p.m.
The Preparatoria Chapala cultural festival brings a variety of music and dance performances to the Fuente de Pescadores stage at the south end of Avenida Madero, Wednesday, November 1, 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Avenida Madero, from the main intersection to the waterfront, will be closed all day on Thursday, November 2 for the mounting and exhibition of memorial altars by competing local student groups. Music and dance programs at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia start at 7:15 p.m.
Secundaria Foranea 1 presents an altar exhibit, and products of its music, dance, theater and art workshops on Friday, November 3 from 5:30 p.m. at the esplanade in front of Chapala City Hall.
The festival closes Saturday, November 4, with a full program of varied dance genres staged at the esplanade from 6 p.m.
AJIJIC
The Axixic Vive fest begins November 1, 2 p.m., with a gastronomy and craft pavilion at the village plaza. The Desfile de Angelitos children’s parade commences at 5 p.m. at Seis Esquinas, following Ocampo-Constitución and Marcos Castellanos to the plaza. A photograph exhibit honoring recently deceased Ajijic residents will be inaugurated at the plaza’s GALA open-air gallery at 6 p.m.
On November 2, streets in the center of town will be partially closed for the Día de Muertos pedestrian walkway along Colón-Morelos, Parroquia and Marcos Castellanos, giving foot access only to the plaza and Malecón. Altar offerings to the deceased and colored sawdust floor carpets will be displayed along those routes and around the plaza.
The Catrinas and Catrines costume parade starts from the corner of Rio Zula and Ocampo at 6 p.m., heading east to Calle Morelos to turn off towards the Malecón.
Candles at the Efrén González Muero de los Muertos will be lit up at 8 p.m.
Multiple activities at the Malecón include the Xoloitzcuintles hairless dog costume contest at 3 p.m.; the release of a floral offering to the lake at 7 p.m.; Catrinas performance at 7:15 p.m.; paper balloon launching at 7:30 p.m.; Mariachi Real Axixic performance at 8 p.m.; and town dance party at 10 p.m.
SAN JUAN COSALÁ
The Paseo de Michincihualli is a two-day spectacle taking place November 1 and 2 that encompasses a variety of cultural activities based on themes from the pre-Hispanic era. It opens with a procession of ghostly spirits that will emerge from the lake just before sunset and parade through town before recreating an ancestral ritual. A monumental altar offering to the dead decorated with hundreds of hand-made paper marigolds, votive candles and skull figures will be illuminated at the kiosk on the town plaza both evenings. Music and dance performances add to the festivities.
JOCOTEPEC
The town’s annual Que Viva la Muerte festival offers special events at the central plaza, including a concert with Gipsy Latino Maraventho and Mariachi Real Axixic, October 28, 8 p.m.; a theater performance by Luna Morena, October 29, 8 p.m.; a town fair featuring a memorial altar contest, plus music and dance programs, November 1 from 5 p.m.; and a performance by vocalist Raúl Contreras, November 2, 7 p.m.
In addition, La Cucaracha theater company will put on a show at the municipal cemetery, October 31, 7 p.m. and the Casa de Cultura opens the Nuestros Muertos art show, November 3, 6 p.m.
IXTLAHUACÁN DE LOS MEMBRILLOS
The Festival Nacional de Día de Muertos is centered at the central plaza, highlighted by the entries in five thematic contests.
The display of traditional memorial wreaths starts on October 31 at 1 p.m. See stunning memorial altars and decorative floor carpets exhibited from November 1, 2 p.m. through November 2, 9 p.m.
The Novias Alegres (giddy dead brides) parade is on November 1 at 4:30 p.m. Catrina impersonators in children’s, innovative design and traditional costume categories will strut their stuff on November 2, 4:30 p.m.