Day of the Dead, which is also known as Día de los Muertos, is often compared to Halloween due to shared celebrations and traditions.
The festival is traditionally celebrated between November 1 and November 2 each year.
However, other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on local traditions.
The theme of the event may be centred around death but the idea is to celebrate loved ones that we have lost and showing our respects.
Here's everything you need to know about Day of the Dead and how its celebrated.
What is Day of the Dead?
The tradition of the Day of the Dead goes back to the Aztec, Toltec and other indigenous people, who considered it disrespectful to mourn the dead as they saw death as part of life's rich tapestry.
The festival now includes combination indigenous and Hispanic culture and is a celebration of all those who have died in a way that references both indigenous and Catholic culture, so integral to the country of Mexico.
What are some of the traditions surrounding Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead was originally celebrated in the summer, but when the Spanish conquered the Aztec empire, missionaries began to convert Mexico to Catholicism, which celebrates All Saints Day and All Souls Day on November 1 and 2.
Catholic churches then began to host Day of the Dead celebrations and people build altars in their homes to welcome spirits back to the realm of the living.
Additionally, flowers like marigolds are used to decorate altars and guide wandering souls back to their place of rest due to their strong scent, and many people visit the graves of their loved ones and clean them.
The sugar skulls that are so prevalent with Day of the Dead represent how cyclical life is whilst monarch butterflies represent the soul of the departed.
The colours of the skull and face paints have specific meanings too. Yellow represents the sun and unity because we are all equal under the sun. Purple represents the mourning that is felt by loved ones, whilst pink signifies happiness.
White symbolises the spirit and purity, and red depicts life, or to be precise, the blood of life.
How is Day of the Dead celebrated around the world?
In cities such as Ocotepec, people will open up their homes and invite people in for a drink - as long as they are willing to visit the altar and listen to stories about the dead they are mourning.
In Mexico City, people visit the graves of dead celebrities and Arena Mexico hosts special events where wrestlers have to defend the world against the creatures of the underworld.
The event is also now celebrated in other parts of the world, including New York which hosts a huge Day of the Dead parade event each year.
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