Cultural Festival of Calaveras
Aguascalientes City
The Calaveras Cultural Festival is one of the most important traditions in Aguascalientes.
This takes place every year during the Day of the Dead, which has great relevance in Mexican culture nationwide.
This festival has been held in the state since 1994.
This celebration is strongly influenced by the work of José Guadalupe Posada, one of Mexico's leading visual artists, originally from Aguascalientes.
All the activities organized are accompanied by the figure of the Calavera Garbancera, also known as the Catrina, which is one of the most iconic contributions of Guadalupe Posada.
Be sure to attend the great and traditional Calaveras Parade, whose theme evolves year after year.
It is part of the procession of hundreds of people wearing masks or face paint, waiting for the passing of floats and monumental skulls.
There is no corner of the city without the atmosphere of this celebration.
Find out more about the Calaveras Festival
Calaveras Festival 2023
At the Calaveras Cultural Festival 2023 “Viva la Catrina” there will be more than 500 activities for local, national and foreign visitors to enjoy concerts, artistic and cultural events, sports and even a bullfight, called Las Calaveras.
From October 28 to November 5 the program will be carried out and will reach all the municipalities in the state.
90% of the activities will be free of charge and this year the festival returns to San Marcos Island, which will open its gates from 10am to 10pm.
The traditional Desfile de Calaveras will take place on November 2 at 8pm, the participants will walk through the main streets of the downtown area of the state's capital city.
While on November 4 at 5pm, the traditional Corrida de Calaveras will be held, featuring a top-notch line-up, with stars such as Pablo Hermoso de Mendoza, Leo Valadez and Diego San Román, who will fight six bulls from the Villa Carmela ranch.
November 5, 2010 a Napoleon concert will be held at Plaza Patria at 7pm, with free admission.
Official Event Program
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
When is the Calaveras Festival in Aguascalientes?
This takes place every year during the Day of the Dead, which has great relevance in Mexican culture nationwide.
In 2023 it will be held from October 28 to November 5.
Since what year has the Festival de Calaveras been celebrated?
This festival has been held in the state of Aguascalientes since 1994.
Why is the Calaveras Festival celebrated in Aguascalientes?
This Festival was created with the objective of rescuing and preserving the traditions of the cult of the deceased.
Within its festive framework, homage is paid to one of the plastic artists with worldwide recognition, illustrious engraver and illustrator and pride of Aguascalientes, José Guadalupe Posada, creator of the character of La Catrina, who each year is adorned as hostess of the Festival de Calaveras.
What activities are there in the Calaveras Festival?
You can feel the party with exquisite touches in its craft exhibitions, taste its delicious cuisine, including the rich and traditional pan de muerto, let yourself be carried away by the peculiar musical notes of the concerts of the Symphony Orchestra of Aguascalientes, in addition to witnessing the best film shows and music festivals, and the unique street theater.
What is the main activity of the Calaveras Festival?
First of all, the great Calaveras Parade that runs through the main avenues of the historic center.
Second, the night walk, or the procession of the souls in the tourist streetcars.
And third, the altar contest.
Who was José Guadalupe Posada?
José Guadalupe Posada was an engraver and illustrator from Aguascalientes.
He is credited with the creation of the Calavera Garbancera, which later took the name of 'Catrina', at the initiative of Diego Rivera.
It would later become part of the Mexican popular collective imagination, appearing more frequently in the festivities of the Day of the Dead.
For this reason, in allusion to the work of the artist from Aguascalientes and showing how Aguascalientes lives this season, the festival was created, emphasizing culture and the arts, such as music, dance and theater.
Where the Calaveras Cultural Festival is held
How to get to the Calaveras Cultural Festival
Distance between Aguascalientes City and Other Cities
City | Distance in Km | Miles | Time in Hours |
|---|---|---|
Zacatecas ZAC | 118 km | 73 Mi | 1 Hour 30 Minutes |
León GTO | 128 Km | 80 Mi | 1 Hour 45 Minutes |
San Luis Potosí SLP | 165 Km | 102 Mi | 2 hours 15 minutes |
Guadalajara JAL | 222 km | 138 Mi | 2 hours 45 minutes |
Ciudad de Querétaro | 288 km | 179 Mi | 3 Horas 30 Minutos |
Mexico City | 490 km | 304 Mi | 5 Horas 50 Minutos |
Puebla City | 615 km | 385 Mi | 7 Horas 15 Minutos |
Flights to or from Aguascalientes
Type of Flights | Cities |
|---|---|
Domestic Flights | CD de México, Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, Oaxaca, Merida, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Tijuana, Monterrey, San José del Cabo, La Paz, Veracruz, Ciudad Juarez, Mexicali, Hermosillo, Chihuahua, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Culiacán, Reynosa y Ciudad de Puebla, Villahermosa, Tulum, |
United States | Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Seattle, New York, Denver, Atlanta, Portland, Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, Miami, Salt Lake City & Detroit |
Centro y Sudamerica | Panama City & Bogotá |
Europe | Madrid |
Official Tourism Site
Aguascalientes is a destination with an interesting combination of charming natural surroundings, tradition and industrial development.
Outstanding for its manufacturing industry, especially textile, electronics and automotive, the state capital has become one of the tourist destinations with the best range of services in the Mexican Bajio.
