All Saints' Day 2025 in Mexico

All Saints' Day is observed on November 1st to honor all the saints and innocent souls, especially children who have passed away. Families create small altars with candles, flowers, and favorite items of the departed to remember them with love and respect.

All Saints' Day: A Public Holiday?

All Saints' Day is not a public holiday in Mexico, so schools and businesses usually remain open. However, it is deeply respected and widely observed, especially as part of the Día de Muertos traditions, with families visiting cemeteries and setting up altars to remember loved ones.

All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day, also known as Día de Todos los Santos, is observed on November 1st and has deep roots in the Catholic tradition. It was introduced by Spanish missionaries during the colonial period to honor all saints and innocent souls, especially children who passed away. Over time, this religious observance blended with pre-Hispanic customs that already honored the dead, creating a unique tradition in Mexico.

The day became part of what is now known as Día de Muertos, a multi-day celebration of life and death. While November 2nd is dedicated to adults who have passed, November 1st focuses on children and saints. This combination of Catholic and Indigenous beliefs shaped the way Mexicans remember their loved ones, not with sadness, but with respect and love. All Saints' Day is now an important part of the country's spiritual and cultural identity.

Observance of All Saints' Day in Mexico

All Saints' Day in Mexico is a special time to remember and honor children and saints who have passed away. It marks the beginning of the Día de Muertos celebrations. On this day, families focus on the "angelitos," or little angels—young children who are no longer with them. People believe that on November 1st, their spirits return to visit their families. To welcome them, homes are decorated with small altars called ofrendas, filled with flowers, candles, food, toys, and photos.

Many families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of children. They bring favorite foods, drinks, and even balloons or small gifts. Some people spend time by the graves, praying, singing, or sharing stories. It is a day of reflection but also of love and connection. Schools and churches may also hold events to teach children about the meaning of this day and its connection to faith and family.

All Saints' Day is important in Mexico because it shows the deep respect people have for life, death, and family. Even though it is not a public holiday, it is widely observed. The traditions help families keep the memory of their loved ones alive, especially the youngest ones. It teaches people that death is not an end, but a part of life to be honored. By remembering those who left early, families find comfort and continue to pass down values of love, faith, and remembrance from one generation to the next.

All Saints' Day Observances