20 Years of the Festival That Turned Xcaret Into a Place of Reunion and Remembrance

Since 2006, Xcaret has created a space for one of Mexico’s most profound cultural expressions. What began as a gathering to celebrate this tradition has become, 20 years later, a meeting place for communities, artists, artisans, traditional cooks, cultural knowledge keepers, and visitors from near and far.

Over its first 19 editions, the Festival of Life and Death has welcomed more than 780,000 visitors, presented over 6,400 performances and artistic presentations, and brought together more than 15,000 artists and tradition bearers.

But the numbers tell only part of the story.

The rest lives in everything that has unfolded over the years: the altars lit once again each October and November, recipes brought from different regions, music finding new audiences, stories passed down from one generation to the next, and communities that have found in Xcaret a place to share the traditions that shape their identity.

In 2026, the Festival celebrates its 20th edition. It looks back to honor the journey so far, while also looking ahead, because a living tradition never remains exactly the same.

20 Years of Building a Collective Memory

For two decades, the Festival of Life and Death has brought Mexico together in one place.

More than 700 communities have participated throughout its history, representing states such as Quintana Roo, Yucatán, Michoacán, Puebla, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Tlaxcala, Chiapas, Campeche, Tabasco, Morelos, and Querétaro.

Each has arrived with its own forms of expression: its flavors, sounds, crafts, stories, dances, and ways of honoring those who are no longer here.

At Xcaret, these expressions come together in a setting where nature, culture, gastronomy, and cultural performances are part of the same experience.

In this way, the Festival of Life and Death has become a living map of Mexico, one explored not only through sight, but also through aromas, flavors, music, stories, and the people who keep these traditions alive.

Great Voices on the Stage of Xcaret’s Gran Tlachco Theater

The Festival’s history can also be told through the artists who have graced its stages.

Over 19 editions, Xcaret has welcomed celebrated divs such as Ignacio López Tarso, Betsy Pecanins, Zeferino Nandayapa, and Óscar Chávez, alongside artists and groups including Susana Alexander, Ofelia Medina, Horacio Franco, Ernesto Anaya, Lila Downs, Fernando de la Mora, Eugenia León, Natalia Lafourcade, Silvana Estrada, Aleks Syntek, Los Ángeles Azules, Reik, and La Sonora Santanera.

This year, for its 20th edition, Pandora and the duo Flans will headline the Festival of Life and Death 2026 Gala Concert at Xcaret’s Gran Tlachco Theater. Get your tickets here.

A Gathering of Regions and Traditions

What sets the Festival of Life and Death apart is that its story does not belong to Xcaret alone. It also belongs to the communities that have come here to share their knowledge.

Every year, artisans, traditional cooks, workshop leaders, artists, and tradition bearers from the Festival’s guest states take part in a celebration that connects the places where these traditions originate with the people who come to discover them.

Every altar tells a story. Every dish reveals a region. Each artistic and cultural expression carries a memory and shares it with the audience. Every craft reflects a skill passed from one pair of hands to the next.

This year, Guanajuato arrives with some of its most emblematic traditions: pan de ánimas (bread of the souls), intricately decorated wax candles, estudiantinas (traditional university musical groups), huapango arribeño folk music, and a variety of handicrafts that reflect the state’s cultural identity. Explore the full program here.

A Festival for Families to Enjoy Together

Perhaps one of the most meaningful parts of these 20 years lies in the generations still learning what it means to remember those who have passed away.

Hacienda Niñ@s was created as a space where children could connect with this tradition through play, creativity, and exploration.

Over 19 years, the space has hosted more than 270 activities and welcomed over 273,000 children.

Workshops, guided walks, interactive activities, and performances allow children to move beyond simply observing the celebration and begin to understand and experience its meaning.

During the 2026 Festival of Life and Death, families will find Hacienda Niñ@s to be a place where children and adults can share, learn, and play together through activities designed for different ages.

Four Days of Celebration at Xcaret Park

From October 30 to November 2, 2026, Xcaret Park will once again transform as the Festival of Life and Death arrives.

Over four days, the celebration will bring together theater, music, dance, exhibitions, workshops, altars, and gastronomy, alongside cultural expressions from Guanajuato and other regions of Mexico.

The program also features one of this edition’s major musical highlights: the Gala Concert starring Pandora and Flans, taking place on October 31 at the Gran Tlachco Theater.

🕯️ Get your tickets to the 2026 Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret here.

20 Years Later, the Portal Opens Once Again

In 2026, we at Xcaret are ready to continue this story and open the portal once again.

From October 30 to November 2, Guanajuato will be the special guest of a celebration that brings together remembrance, art, gastronomy, music, and tradition in the heart of the Riviera Maya.

If you want to be part of this historic edition, explore the available dates and choose the ticket option that best suits your visit.

🕯️ Get your tickets to the 2026 Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret here.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Festival of Life and Death?

The next Festival of Life and Death will take place from October 30 to November 2, 2026.

Where is the Festival of Life and Death held?

Xcaret Park is the main venue. Activities will also take place at Xcaret Hotels as part of the 2026 Festival of Life and Death celebrations.

Which state is the guest of honor at the 2026 Festival of Life and Death?

Guanajuato is the guest state at the 2026 Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret.

Where can I buy tickets for the 2026 Festival of Life and Death?

Visit the official website to purchase your tickets securely: 2026 Festival of Life and Death at Xcaret.