In the Historic Center of Mexico City
Day of the Dead Mexico City
Have you seen a Day of the Dead parade? And have you visited Mexico City for the Day of the Dead?
The movie, Spectre, has the Day of the Dead portrayed in it. And it's opening scene is filmed in Mexico City. Have you seen it?
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Catrina at Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
Ofrenda at Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
Walk around and see the Day of the Dead decorations. And the places where the opening scene of Spectre was filmed.
In Spanish it's Dia de los Muertos en la Ciudad de México
Spectre: Day of the Dead
Have you visited a place? Then later on, a movie is released. And, it has scenes of the places you visited.
Well, about twelve months after I visited Mexico City. Spectre was released. Â In the opening scenes of Spectre, James Bond is played by Daniel Craig. He walks through the Historic Center of Mexico dressed as a skeleton.
Spectre: Day of the Dead Mexico City Parade
In the midst of a Day of the Dead parade, he struts. People have their faces painted and are dressed up in costumes, like skeletons and Catrina.
Since the movie, there's been a parade for the Day of the Dead in Mexico City. When we were there, it did not exist. It's usually held on 2nd November.
Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México
Then, he enters a historical hotel. It's the Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México (Gran Hotel of Mexico City).
You can visit this hotel, too. In the hotel, an altar is set up in the foyer decorated with offerings for the Day of the Dead.
Read about Day of the Dead and things to do in Mexico City
Gran Hotel
Tolsa Square ~ Plaza Manuel Tolsá
Calle de Tacuba Bronze sculpture of King Charles IV (Estatua Eucestre de Carlos IV)
National Palace
Zócalo
Zócalo
The Zócalo is the Plaza de la Constitucion. It is a square in the Historic Center of Mexico City (Centro Histórico). Whilst I was there, they were setting up giant marquees for an event.
Some buildings and historical sites around the square are:
- Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City (Catedral Metropolitana de la Ciudad de México
- National Palace (Palacio Nacional)
- Templo Mayor (Museo Templo Mayor)
- Gran Hotel (Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México)
Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City
Templo Mayor
Ofrenda Outside and Inside the Cathedral Metropolitan of Mexico City
Outside the Cathedral, you can see the offerings.
You can see the decorated altars inside the Cathedral.
Ofrendas
Walk around the Historic Center. You will see Ofrendas.
Ofrendas are altars decorated with offerings for the departed.
Catrinas
You will see people walking around dressed as Catrina.
In shops, you can see decorations of Catrina.
Map of  Zócalo in the Historic Center of Mexico City
Watch 4 Day of the Dead Movies
 Spectre ~2015
 In Spectre, James Bond is played by Daniel Craig. The opening scene starts with the Day of the Dead.
Filming locations are seen in the Historic Center of Mexico City.
The trailer for SPECTRE shows some of the opening scenes for the Day of the Dead celebrations.
A second trailer for Spectre shows some more.
On YouTube, you can see the opening scene, the making of the Day of the Dead opening scene of Spectre. And, another vlog about the features of the Day of the Dead.
Have you seen Spectre?
Are you curious?
And you'll see at the end of the opening scene, the helicopter flies down the Paseo de la Reforma.
Coco ~2017
Coco is a Disney Pixar animated movie about the Day of the Dead. In Spanish, it's known as Dia de Los Muertos.
You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to seize your moment. ~ De la Cruz to Coco
On the Disney Plus channel see 'How Coco Honors Dia de Los Muertos Disney+ which shows the background culture. The video shows the correlation between Coco and the Day of the Dead.
You can learn about its culture and tradition.
Symbols of the Day of the Dead like food of Pan de Muertos and sugar skulls, music, marigolds, face painting, altars of offerings, paper punched with holes, and celebrations in cemeteries.
Have you seen Coco?Â
Watch a trailer for Coco.
Once Upon a Time in Mexico ~2003
During Once Upon a Time in Mexico, there is a Day of the Dead parade.
The movie stars Antonio Banderas, Johnny Depp, and Salma Hayek.
Desperado is the preceding movie before Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
Have you seen Once Upon a Time in Mexico or Desperado?
Note that both movies are rated R.
Watch the shorter and the longer trailers for Once Upon a Time in Mexico.
You can see the trailer for Desperado.
Book of Life ~2014
I saw Book of Life at City Walk in Universal Studios Hollywood in the year it was released.
Write Your Own Story ~ the Candle Maker
Whilst on a walk around Mexico City. I saw the poster for El Libro de la Vida (Book of Life). A picture of the poster is shown below.
Have you seen Book of Life?
Watch the first trailer for Book of Life.
Then, you can see the second trailer.
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Day of the Dead
Well, that's Day of the Dead in Mexico City.
Have you been to Mexico for the Day of the Dead?
Make sure you read my Day of the Dead experiences in Mexico City.
What movies have you watched that are about Day of the Dead? Or, have a Day of the Dead procession in it.
Beautiful grand hotel photos. Love it
Day of the Dead would be so cool in Mexico City!
Thank you, Lisa
Great post! Such an interesting celebration. We have never experienced Day of the Dead before (except in movies!).
Thank you Marianne. Yes, it’s an interesting culture to experience.
Dia de Muertos/Day of the Dead is one of my son and my favorite holidays. It also is the celebration that helped me through my father’s grief and through my fear of death! I first experienced it in Mexico City , then in Oaxaca, followed by Los Angeles and most recently Georgia. Love your post.
Thank you Jean for sharing your experience with Day of the Dead. I can understand how it helps to come to terms with death. I’ve read about Oaxaca as a destination to experience.
There are things that people do for the day of the dead here in Tucson, AZ but never realize of how much do. Great article.
Thank you Shayne. Sounds like it’d be interesting to visit Tucson to experience the Day of the Dead.
Loved all of the colorful pictures!
Thank you Lindsey
There’s so much rich culture and tradition in Mexico for Day of the Dead. I would really enjoy visiting for this!
Thank you Kendra. Hope you get to visit on the Day of the Dead
I love the idea of experiencing traditional celebrations like Day of the Dead! What a way to travel like a local.
Thank you Julie. I like to travel and experience the culture, too.
You chose a great time to visit! It’s definitely a colorful place and that would take it to the next level.
Definitely! Thank you Bernie & Jess
I love everything about the day of the dead! Especially the colors!
Thank you Lisa.
It is such an interesting holiday filled with both pagan and Christian beliefs! They certainly make the most of it! What an exciting time to visit.
Thank you, Tricia. It’s interesting how the different beliefs have combined together in the Day of the Dead.