Cancún Celebrates Hanal Pixán: A Vibrant Cultural Celebration

Cancún is celebrating the fourth edition of Hanal Pixán, a Day of the Dead event. The festival begins with a procession of "souls" emerging from the Caribbean Sea and spreading throughout the streets of the Puerto Juarez district. The festival will be featured as a main attraction of the Mexican Caribbean at the International Tourism Fair (Fitur) in Madrid, Spain, in January 2025, according to the governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama.

"We are promoting Hanal Pixán internationally through a captivating video. It's important for the world to understand our traditions and appreciate the work of our artists," said Lezama. "Our spectacular catrinas symbolize our altars and faith, and our connection with loved ones who have passed away. We are working hard to share this tradition at all fairs."

The event involves 200 artists in the "procession of souls", 120 vendors at 70 food stalls, 11 catrinas and catrines participating in a contest, 150 security personnel, and four pavilions. The festival has quickly become a major attraction in Cancún.

Hanal Pixán was first celebrated in Puerto Juarez in 2021, during the administration of Lezama Espinosa, who was then the municipal president of Cancún. The event was created to boost tourism and foster a sense of identity among the city's predominantly migrant population. The inaugural event attracted 18,000 attendees, a success that led to its continuation in 2022, under the leadership of the current president, Ana Patricia Peralta. The event drew 62,500 people last year, and it is projected to attract 80,000 attendees this year, making it the second most popular festival in Cancún after the February carnival, according to Carlos López Jiménez, director of the Institute of Culture and the Arts.

The five-day festival, which is free to attend, officially launched last Thursday. The opening ceremony was attended by Lezama Espinosa and Peralta de la Peña, who wore traditional regional outfits and welcomed the catrinas emerging from the sea. The ceremony included a reenactment of a Maya ritual in which spirits of darkness attempted to take away a young girl named Nayelli, who was ultimately rescued by the light. The ritual was performed on the beach, accompanied by the sound of shells and waves lapping the shore.

After the ceremony, a procession led by local authorities moved through the crowd, featuring individuals dressed as fairies, elves, catrinas, and other fantastical characters. The procession concluded at a main stage, where official speeches and dances were held. Attendees enjoyed a variety of Mexican snacks, carnitas, barbacoa, birria, and traditional Yucatecan dishes from stalls along the route.