The alumbrada

The alumbrada, or night of the candles, is the most significant event of the Day of the Dead in Mixquic. On November 2, from 18:00 (six in the evening), the villagers walk to the cemetery with candles, incense and flowers; the street lights go out and every grave is lit with candles while incense burns. The light and the smoke create a mystical atmosphere of communion between the living and the dead, and the people keep vigil by their relatives’ graves all night, praying and singing.