Xcaret Park hosts Life and Death Festival from 30 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 06:49 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Xcaret Park and the Festival of Life and Death return together from 30 October to 2 November 2026 in Playa del Carmen. The 20th edition brings Guanajuato to the Riviera Maya as guest state, with a programme shaped by Day of the Dead traditions, music and regional culture.
Festival of Life and Death runs from 30 October
The four-day festival brings theatre, concerts, workshops, exhibitions, monumental altars, dance and activities for families to the park. Guanajuato contributes its gastronomy, folk art, music and artistic traditions, while performers and cultural representatives from Quintana Roo also feature in the programme.
The organiser lists mariachi, estudiantina, sones, huapango arribeño and music from the Yucatan Peninsula among the musical forms presented. The programme also includes regional theatre, puppetry, scenic tours, folkloric ballet, contemporary dance, murals and interactive workshops. The official festival programme confirms the dates and the venue.
A separate gala is scheduled for 31 October at Gran Tlachco, where Pandora and Flans are due to perform with their +Inesperado Tour. The gala is not included with standard festival or park admission, making it a separate part of the evening programme.
Guanajuato links the festival to Xcaret Park
The festival connects the park's natural and cultural setting with traditions associated with remembrance and the Day of the Dead. Visitors will encounter altars, offerings, performances, food, craft displays and exhibitions alongside the venue's existing attractions.
The organiser describes the celebration as the 20th edition of the Festival of Life and Death. Its central focus on Guanajuato gives the 30 October to 2 November 2026 programme a defined regional theme rather than presenting only a general seasonal celebration. The operator also identifies Day of the Dead as an Intangible Cultural Heritage tradition recognised by UNESCO.
The site is an eco-archaeological theme park beside the Caribbean coast, with jungle paths, underground rivers, wildlife areas, cultural performances and archaeological features. The operator's festival information page places the programme among these existing park settings.
Visiting Xcaret Park: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Festival of Life and Death takes place at Xcaret Park from 30 October to 2 November 2026. The Pandora and Flans gala is scheduled at Gran Tlachco on 31 October 2026.
- The main festival programme includes theatre, music, dance, exhibitions, workshops and altars. The gala has separate admission from festival or park admission.
- The park is on the Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Federal Highway at kilometre 282 in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. Public buses depart from Playa del Carmen's main bus station, and the official festival page identifies ADO as its transport partner.
- The setting includes jungle paths, underground rivers, caves, natural areas and archaeological features. Visitors should expect a site combining outdoor walking with water-based and cultural attractions.
- Spanish is Mexico's official national language for public administration, and the national currency is the Mexican peso.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Xcaret Park
When does the Festival of Life and Death take place at Xcaret Park?
The festival runs from 30 October to 2 November 2026 at Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen.
What is included in the Festival of Life and Death programme?
The programme includes theatre, music, dance, exhibitions, workshops, altars and family activities, with Guanajuato as guest state in 2026.
Where is Xcaret Park and how do you get there?
The park is on the Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Federal Highway at kilometre 282 in Playa del Carmen. Buses serve the site from Playa del Carmen's main bus station, and ADO provides official festival transport.
