del 28 de October
al 2 de November
De 00:00 a 00:00
Av. Independencia s/n, Col. San Miguel MIxquic. 13640
On the border with the State of Mexico is located the most famous place of the capital to celebrate the Day of the Dead: Mixquic. Its celebration is a tradition handed down through generations dating back to pre-Hispanic times; where honoring death is a transcendental matter for the life of the town and its townspeople.
Since October 28th the San Andrés Mixquic cemetery, streets and houses are decorated; while on the main day, the character called "El Campanero" (the bell ringer) begins with the sound of bells in moments of solemnity; later in the evening is gathered a group of children with an activity around the streets.
An "alumbrada" (lighting up) is performed at the 18:00 hrs. on November 2nd, where Mixquic residents go towards the cemetery guided by candles, incense and flowers where they will spend a quite an amount of time of the morning. They also made a tour through the canals of the lake Reyes de San Pedro Tláhuac while they narrate the stories of La Llorona and The Black Charro, which reinforces the cult of death; this tour is known as La Ruta de la Vida y la Muerte (route of life and death).
This event is held every year. San Andrés Míxquic, in Tláhuac, holds the best-known Día de Muertos vigil in Mexico City, on 1 and 2 November, with activity building from 31 October.
What happens, hour by hour. On 1 November the bells toll the alumbrada and families carry candles and marigolds to the cemetery beside the Ex Convento de San Andrés Apóstol. Through the night of 1 to 2 November the graves are lit, decorated and watched over until dawn. The atrium, the market and the surrounding streets fill with stalls, food and altars.
Getting there and back. Míxquic is at the far south-east of the city, about an hour and a half from the centre and with no Metro. On these dates the access roads are closed and controlled, and special shuttle services run from Metro Tláhuac and Taxqueña; the city publishes the arrangements a few weeks before. Driving in is a bad idea.
How to behave. This is a vigil for the dead held by the families who are burying them, not a performance. Ask before photographing, do not walk on graves, carry cash, and dress for a cold night outdoors.
