Cities across the world held Day of the Dead celebrations this weekend, filling squares with music, costumed dancers and flowery floats.
Mexico City’s parade on Saturday honored those killed in two recent earthquakes, which together left more than 400 dead across the country, including 228 in the capital.
Celebrations took place in Vancouver, Canada, and Bournemouth, UK, and other international cities ahead of the Mexican holiday, which is held November 1-2.
Women dressed up as ‘Catrinas’, a Mexican character is also known as ‘The Elegant Death’, participate in a procession to commemorate Day of the Dead in Mexico City, Mexico, on Saturday
A girl dressed as a “Katrina“, left, waits for the start of a Day of the Dead parade to begin along Mexico City’s main Reforma Avenue. Right, another woman participates in Saturday’s parade
A participant wearing a large skeleton mask and colorful clothing takes part in Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade on Saturday
Mexico City’s parade on Saturday honored those killed in two recent earthquakes, which together left more than 400 dead across the country, including 228 in the capital
People dressed as skeletons and Mexican popular character Catrina participate in a parade to mark the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, Mexico on Saturday. The Calavera Catrina, or ‘Dapper Skeleton’, is the most representative image of the Day of the Dead, a indigenous festivity that honors ancestors
Mariachis characterised as “The Elegant Death” wait to enter bathroom before taking part in a procession to commemorate Day of the Dead in Mexico City
A performer participates in the Day of the Dead parade on Mexico City’s main Reforma Avenue by dispersing yellow confetti into the crowd
Mexico City’s central Zocalo plaza was filled with the papier-mache skeletal Catrina figures and candle-covered shrines where people were invited to place photographs of the victims.
A raised fist was the signal the rescuers gave for silence to hear if anyone was trapped under the rubble left by the most recent quake.
It ‘has become a national and international symbol,’ parade coordinator Julio Blasina said.
‘We had an obligation to pay tribute to the fallen while transmitting the message that the city is still standing,’ Mr. Blasina said.
This year’s parade featured a mile of floats honoring the celebration, which is an amalgam of pre-Hispanic and other traditions.
Mexico City’s central Zocalo plaza was filled with the papier-mache skeletal Catrina figures and candle-covered shrines where people were invited to place photographs of the victims of recent earthquakes
Women dressed as Mexican popular character Catrina participate in a parade to mark the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. Thousands of people are believed to have attended the parade
Mexico City started their own parade after the city was featured in the 2015 James Bond film Spectre amid Day of the Dead celebrations. The film opens with a Day of the Dead parade in the city, but at the time no such parade took place.
People reach for the hand of a skull figure being carried through the parade procession during Mexico City’s Day of the dead celebrations
Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations have been held in in the country for 2,000 to 3,000 years, traditionally consisting of quiet family gatherings at the graves of their departed loved ones bringing them music, drink and conversation
As part of Day of the Dead on November 1-2, Mexicans set up altars with photographs of the dead and plates of their favorite foods in their homes
White, orange, purple and black paper cut-outs covered part of the Zocalo and beneath them were papier mache skeletons with rescue vests and helmets, symbolizing volunteers from the regions affected by the earthquakes, including Oaxaca, Chiapas, Morelos, Puebla and Guerrero. Other skeletons represented victims.
‘We must not forget that the country is in mourning because there are many who do not have a home,’ said Guadalupe Perez, whose apartment was badly damaged in a quake. ‘But this is a beautiful party, unique in the world.’
Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations has been held in the country for 2,000 to 3,000 years, traditionally consisting of quiet family gatherings at the graves of their departed loved ones bringing them music, drink and conversation.
On the November 1-2 holiday, Mexicans set up altars with photographs of the dead and plates of their favorite foods in their homes.
A puppet depicting the skeleton of a dog participates in a procession to commemorate Day of the Dead in Mexico City, Mexico, on Saturday
People dressed as skeletons and Mexican popular character Catrina participate in a parade to mark the Day of the Dead in Mexico City on Saturday
Mexico’s capital held its Day of the Dead parade on Saturday, an idea actually born out of the imagination of a scriptwriter for the 2015 James Bond movie “Spectre’
A man wearing a feather headdress and face and body paint takes part during the traditional ‘Day of the Dead’ parade in Mexico City on Saturday
Performers including a man on a bicycle and people wearing devil-themed costumes, participate in the Day of the Dead parade on Mexico City’s main Reforma Avenue
People dressed up as “Catrina and Catrin”, a Mexican character is also known as “The Elegant Death”, participate in a procession to commemorate Day of the Dead in Mexico City
In a square in Mexico City’s city centre, massive statues of skeletons were placed ahead of Saturday’s massive Day of the Dead parade
They gathered at their loved ones’ gravesides to drink, sing and talk to the dead.
In some towns, families leave a trail of orange marigold petals in a path to their doorways so the spirits of the dead can find their way home.
Some light bonfires for the same purpose, sitting around the fire and warming themselves with cups of boiled-fruit punch to ward off the autumn chill.
But it is increasingly celebrated with parades rife with floats, giant skeleton marionettes and thousands of participants.
The celebration of the Days of Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) brings together the entire Mexican community at the Memorial of Latin America Day of the Dead celebrations, in Sao Paulo, Brazil
The Day of the Dead is one of the oldest and most representative celebrations in Mexico and it gains more space every year in Sao Paulo. Pictured above, a woman takes part in celebrations in Sao Paulo on Sunday
Praca da Sombra in Sao Paulo was the scene of an intense program of shows, handicraft stalls, gastronomic fair and costume competitions on Sunday. Pictured above, a woman in Sao Paulo takes part in celebrations
In the UK – several towns had their own celebrations. People dressed up for a Day Of The Dead Festival in Bournemouth (left), and in London, there was an All Dogs Matter Day of the Dead parade (right)
Performers participate in the Day of the Dead parade on Mexico City’s main Reforma Avenue, on Saturday ahead of the country’s national holiday this week
In Bournemouth, in Dorset, several people painted their faces and dressed up for the city’s Day of the Dead festival on Saturday
Some people at the Day of the Dead festival in Bournemouth, in Dorset, opted for couple costumes, as the couples pictured above did
Women dressed as Mexican popular character Catrina participate in a parade to mark the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, left, and right, a man in Bournemouth dons a costume for the city’s Day of the Dead festival
Influences of American Halloween celebrations and Hollywood zombie films are common.
Mexico City started their own parade after the city was featured the 2015 James Bond film Spectre amid Day of the Dead celebrations.
The film opens with a Day of the Dead parade in the city, but at the time no such parade took place.
A year later, due to interest in the film, the government decided to hold a parade to promote pre-Hispanic Mexican culture.
‘All our roots are reflected here,’ said Leo Cancino, who took his family to see Saturday’s parade in Mexico City. ‘Many are afraid of death but no, it’s part of life.
People dressed in costumes dance during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday. The event is inspired by the Day of the Dead
People in costumes play music while marching during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver. The annual event, which is inspired by the Day of the Dead, encourages participants to join the procession through the streets of East Vancouver in costume and remember family and friends who have departed
A man plays a trumpet while marching during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday night as part of Day of the Dead festivities
A woman dressed as a witch participates in the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday as part of Day of the Dead festivities
Influences of American Halloween celebrations and Hollywood zombie films have launched several Day of the Dead festivals and parades across the world, like the one in Vancouver
Day of the Dead is increasingly celebrated with parades rife with floats, giant skeleton marionettes and thousands of participants. Pictured above, a man plays a saxophone during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver
Women spin lit-up hula-hoops while marching during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday evening
People in costumes play music while marching during the Parade of Lost Souls in Vancouver, Canada, on Saturday evening