From October 25 to November 8, the city will offer free cultural programming, parades, video mapping, and culinary experiences for families and visitors
Illuminated pangas, monumental altars, and a Day of the Dead parade showcase the port’s cultural identity
JALISCO, Mexico, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With the goal of showcasing the state’s cultural richness and diversifying its tourism offerings during the Day of the Dead season, the State Government, through the Ministry of Tourism and the State Entertainment Agency, is bringing Puerto Vallarta into the second edition of the 2026 Festival of Souls, with a program of more than 28 free cultural and artistic experiences.
The event, which will take place from October 25 to November 8, will feature the unveiling of the Monumental Catrina (The Guardian of the Ocean, holder of the Guinness World Record for the tallest Catrina skull in the world in 2022 and 2023) at the Malecón Lighthouse, accompanied by an exhibition of 50 large-format Catrinas along the waterfront promenade, which will be adorned with marigolds, altars, sculptures, and live music.
Another of the port’s attractions as part of the Festival of Souls is The Pangas of Light, a monumental installation of boats decorated with flowers that pays tribute to fishermen and lights up at dusk.
The cultural and tourism program brings together commerce, hospitality, and activities along the Malecón, the Historic Center, and the Romantic Zone.
The celebration combines the participation of businesses, restaurants, and CUCOSTA students with the talent of local artists and guests from states such as Aguascalientes and Hidalgo, who enrich the program with culinary showcases, altars, Catrina galleries, video mapping, and dance performances.
One of the central events will be the Grand Day of the Dead Parade, organized into five thematic worlds and led by catrines and catrinas wearing attire inspired by Old Vallarta. The route will bring together traditional characters and artistic expressions connected to the municipality’s identity.
The private sector is also joining the Festival of Souls program: Vallarta Adventures’ ALMA, Rhythms of the Night show at Las Caletas (accessible by boat), beginning October 26; the Day of the Dead dinner show at Casa Cúpula on Thursday, October 29; and a concert by the Vallarta Symphony Orchestra with the Coral da Universidade de Brasília and Poder Coral on Friday, October 30 at 9:00 p.m. at María Reina de la Paz Church in Marina Vallarta, with tickets available through SimpleTix.
The event schedule will continue in the following weeks. HEAT Latin Music Awards week will coincide with the Festival of Souls, running from October 31 to November 5, with its gala taking place on November 5 at the International Convention Center, with the participation of the Government of Jalisco and the municipality. The Grill Festival will be held at the same venue on November 7 and 8, while the International Gourmet Festival will begin on November 12.
The second edition of the Festival of Souls will be held in 12 municipalities across Jalisco from October 24 to November 15. The program highlights Jalisco’s traditions, heritage, and identity under the slogan One state, many identities, one shared memory.
See the full schedule of activities at visitjalisco.mx/festival-de-las-almas/
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SOURCE Jalisco Tourism Board
