● Grupo Xcaret inaugurated the 19th edition of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions, featuring Michoacán as the guest state. The event brought together bearers of traditions from both the Purépecha culture—with the “Fiesta de las Ánimas” (Festival of Souls)—and the Maya culture—with “Janal Pixán.”
● During the ceremony, officials from Quintana Roo and Michoacán highlighted the importance of this cultural gathering of indigenous communities. It serves as a testament to how Mexico’s Intangible Cultural Heritage is kept alive when the tradition-bearers themselves are the ones passing these customs on to others.
Xcaret, Riviera Maya, October 30, 2025. With a ceremony filled with color, music, and spirituality, the 19th edition of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions kicked off at Xcaret Park. For 19 years, this gathering has celebrated one of the most cherished expressions of Mexican culture: the Day of the Dead.
This year, the festival welcomes Michoacán as the guest state, featuring bearers of Purépecha culture who participate annually in their communities’ iconic “Fiesta de las Ánimas.” This tradition comes to life in the towns surrounding Lake Pátzcuaro and, in this edition, engages in a dialogue with “Janal Pixán,” an ancestral ritual of the Maya people. These two distinct perspectives share a common belief regarding death: it is viewed as a continuation of existence—persisting in a realm different from the earthly one—and is honored year after year with love, remembrance, and respect for those who came before us.
The inauguration was attended by ten dignitaries from the five ceremonial centers and four representatives from the two traditional churches of the state’s Maya communities; together, they form the Great Maya Council of Quintana Roo. This event underscores the collaborative effort between Grupo Xcaret and representatives of the Maya communities to safeguard the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. Today, Grupo Xcaret celebrates not only the opening of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions but also the pride of being Mexican and the strength of cultures rooted in indigenous peoples. These are complemented by a wide array of contemporary artistic performances, making this celebration one of a kind—a gateway to diverse art forms ranging from theater, music, and dance to the contributions of master artisans, traditional cooks, and chefs, all coming together to create a complete feast for the senses.
Michoacán arrives with a delegation of over 250 participants—including musicians, dancers, artisans, traditional cooks, artists, and chefs—joining a total lineup of 537 artists from Michoacán, Quintana Roo, Xcaret, Spain, Mexico City, Morelos, Tlaxcala, Yucatán, and the State of Mexico. Together, they bring to life the magnificent experience prepared for this year’s event.
Over the course of four days—from October 30 to November 2—visitors will enjoy an extensive program featuring stage performances, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, rituals, and themed tours, alongside an exquisite culinary offering.
Grupo Xcaret’s mission is “to make the planet happier by sharing our great love for Mexico.” In keeping with this mission, Leticia Aguerrebere Salido—from Grupo Xcaret’s Art and Culture Department and General Director of the Festival of Life and Death Traditions—highlighted: “Few things express that love for Mexico as clearly as this festival. Year after year, it allows us to joyfully remember, lovingly honor, and recognize the bearers of tradition who proudly share their communities’ collective memory. It also brings together a multitude of artistic expressions—ancestral, folkloric, classical, and contemporary—that collectively showcase our identity as Mexicans.” As part of the inauguration, Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla, Governor of Michoacán, stated: “I am deeply grateful to architect Quintana Pali and Grupo Xcaret for their unwavering commitment to culture, nature, and everything that represents the best of Mexico and Michoacán. Their work is an example of how art and traditions can unite us and showcase the pride of our roots to the world. Thank you very much, and I wish every success to this new edition of the festival.”
The ceremony featured artistic performances from Michoacán and Quintana Roo, as well as a culinary showcase bringing together traditional cooks from both states. Mexican cuisine is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the traditional cooking of both Michoacán and Quintana Roo is highly acclaimed worldwide.
The Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret is a unique setting where tourists from around the world and residents of the Yucatán Peninsula enjoy one of the most renowned Mexican festivities on the planet.
