In partnership with
🎃 If you wait all year for the Halloween, Día de Muertos and Janal Pixán festivities, your time has arrived! Communities up and down the coast have packed the weekend with processions, community altars, trick-or-treat routes, costume parties, concerts and a few events that are hard to classify but look like a lot of fun.
This week I’ve organized the roundup by location. Start with the “can’t miss” event in each community, then work your way through everything else happening nearby. The live music listings are organized by day and community at the end.
Whatever your plans are, have fun, party safely and be respectful of local traditions when appropriate!
— Michele Kinnon
Ticker, Entry, Exit: Today's Trade, Texted to You
Most stock tips leave you guessing. You get a ticker and nothing else: no idea where to get in, and no idea when to get out.
Today we're doing it differently. We'll pick one stock to buy and text you the whole trade: the ticker, the entry price, and where to sell.
There's no newsletter to dig through and no chart to decode, just the three things you need, sent straight to your phone.
It's free, and it takes less than a minute to sign up. Enter your number and today's trade is on its way.
Our Top Picks by Location
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos Janal Pixán Maritime Procession
Sunday, November 1 | 5:30 PM
Puerto Morelos takes Janal Pixán onto the Caribbean with Mar de Almas, a sunset maritime procession that is one of the more unusual ways to mark the holiday. Boats leave the Fishermen’s Pier at 5:30 PM for an evening of music, remembrance and Maya tradition on the water. It is intimate, very local and quite different from the larger plaza festivals happening elsewhere this weekend. Tickets are 350 MXN per person, with proceeds supporting local nautical service providers. Space is limited, so this is one to plan ahead for. Advance purchase is recommended through Plaza Oasis or the Puerto Morelos Economic Development Office.
Playa del Carmen
20th Annual Festival de Vida y Muerte at Xcaret
Friday, October 30 through Monday, November 2 | Activities begin at 4 PM
Xcaret does Día de Muertos on a scale that is hard to match, and this year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary. Four evenings bring together traditional altars, theater, dance, concerts, workshops and activities for children throughout the park. Guanajuato is the guest state, so expect its food, folk art, stories and music woven through the program, with Pandora & Flans headlining Saturday’s gala concert. This is definitely not a stop-by-for-an-hour event. The schedule is enormous and several performances overlap, so pick your must-sees before you arrive and leave yourself plenty of time to get around.
Puerto Aventuras
Halloween Golf Cart Parade in Puerto Aventuras
Saturday, October 31 | 6:00 PM
Only in Puerto Aventuras could the humble golf cart become a full Halloween float. Decorated carts gather at the PA Driving Range and Par 3 before heading around the community past candy stations, costumed families and a few surprises. The parade returns to the club for the Carnival of Terror, with games, music, food and more Halloween fun on the patio. Children’s wristbands are 300 MXN while supplies last and include an event bag, candy, games and the spooky ride. Adults participate free. This is one of those easy, slightly chaotic community traditions that works just as well for grandparents as it does for the kids.
Tulum
Paseo Tulum Renace con sus Raíces
Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1 | 6–11 PM
Paseo Tulum is the strongest all-ages pick in Tulum this weekend, turning Calle Centauro into a three-night Día de Muertos celebration with traditional contests, fire dancing, folkloric performances and a regional food showcase.
Friday opens with Chac Mool’s fire show, CECyTE dancers and the Catrina and Catrín contest. Saturday brings the Día de Muertos pet-costume contest, more fire and folkloric performances, while Sunday closes with the traditional altar contest, final awards and the closing ceremony. With free admission, food stalls and a different headline contest each night, you can choose the evening that interests you or come back more than once. Arrive before 8 PM if you want time to walk Calle Centauro and find a good spot before the competitions begin.
🔗 Get details here
The Top Picks are only the beginning. Here’s what else is happening around the Riviera Maya, organized by location so you can quickly find what’s nearby. Click the event names for more details.
Puerto Morelos
Calaverita Painting Workshop at Matea begins Thursday, October 29, at 6 PM. The evening includes a decorative calaverita workshop, live music, tamales, pan de muerto and traditional drinks. Tickets are 690 MXN for adults, 1,250 MXN per couple and 450 MXN for children under 12.
Spooky Sea Fest: Halloween Party for a Cause runs Saturday, October 31, from 5 PM–1:30 AM at Salón Mar. Music, dancing, craft beer and a marine-themed costume contest raise money for Raíces Marinas and local seagrass conservation. Admission is 150 MXN at the door.
Costume Contest & Trick-or-Treating in Puerto Morelos starts Saturday, October 31, at 6 PM. Families can meet at the DIF offices for the organized candy route or head to Parque Fundadores for the costume contest and Halloween show.
Entre Dos Mundos: Day of the Dead Live Show has performances Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, at 7 PM on the La Sirena rooftop. The bilingual 50-minute production uses ritual dance, original music and handmade costumes to trace Día de Muertos from Mictlán to the present. Tickets are 800 MXN for adults and 400 MXN for children.
Halloween Party at La Sirena begins Saturday, October 31, at 8 PM with DJ Paax, tarot readings, face painting, drink specials and a costume contest. The grand prize is two tickets to Tequila University.
Puerto Morelos Janal Pixán Maritime Procession begins Sunday, November 1, at 5:30 PM from the Fishermen’s Pier. See our Top Picks for details.
Playa del Carmen
Symphony in a Cenote at Mayakoba takes place Friday, October 30, inside a private jungle cenote. The candlelit string concert is limited to 50 guests and includes transportation from Fairmont Mayakoba, canapés and champagne.
20th Annual Festival de Vida y Muerte at Xcaret runs Friday, October 30, through Monday, November 2. See our Top Picks for details.
Ánimas de la Ceiba 2026 runs Saturday, October 31, from 10 AM–4:30 PM at Parque La Ceiba. The family festival includes community altars, traditional rituals, workshops, music, dance, regional food and an artisan market.
Ecos del Rezo, Sones de Vida begins Saturday, October 31, at 6 PM at Museo Frida Kahlo Riviera Maya. The Coro de Cámara de Playa del Carmen presents a reflective Día de Muertos program about memory and remembrance. General admission is 230 MXN and includes museum entry.
Janal Pixán 2026 — Opening Night begins Saturday, October 31, at 6 PM at Plaza 28 de Julio. The program includes a children’s alebrije competition, lighting of the monumental altar, the Ofrenda y Memoria altar exhibition, regional food, artisans and cultural performances.
Pandora & Flans Gala Concert begins Saturday, October 31, at 9 PM at Teatro Gran Tlachco inside Xcaret. The +Inesperado Tour is the headline concert for the 20th Festival of Life and Death Traditions.
Janal Pixán 2026 — Procession of Souls begins Sunday, November 1, at 6:30 PM at Constituyentes and Fifth Avenue before continuing to Plaza 28 de Julio. The plaza program starts at 6 PM with children’s activities and continues at 7 PM with the monumental altar, traditional altar exhibition, regional food, artisans and cultural performances.
Paamul, Xpu-Ha & Puerto Aventuras
Puerto Aventuras Community Trick-or-Treat happens Friday, October 30. Costumed children will start at Latitude 20° and follow the marina route past participating restaurants and businesses before finishing at Colegio Puerto Aventuras for its 6 PM Halloween event.
Latitude 20’s Boos & Booze Halloween Party runs Friday, October 30, from 6–9:30 PM at Latitude 20°. Signals will provide the live music, with dancing and costume contests throughout the evening. Admission is free and the party is family friendly.
Night of Witches & Ghosts begins Friday, October 30, at 6 PM at Colegio Puerto Aventuras. The family celebration includes games, music, a Halloween disco and themed food. Admission is one canned or packaged food item or 50 MXN, supporting holiday food baskets for local families.
Halloween Karaoke & Costume Party at Hoyo 19 starts Friday, October 30, at 7 PM. Come ready to sing or simply watch, with costume prizes and two-for-one house tequila drinks.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest at The Pub begins Saturday, October 31, at 3 PM. The all-ages contest costs 100 MXN per participant, with a dinner for two awarded by popular vote. Registration closes October 29.
Halloween Party at Paamul Beach Club runs Saturday, October 31, from 6–9 PM with live music by Deja Vu, a costume contest and extended happy hour from 5–9 PM.
Halloween Golf Cart Parade in Puerto Aventuras leaves the PA Racquet Club Saturday, October 31, at 6:30 PM. See our Top Picks for details.
Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Nauti Burro takes over the marina Saturday, October 31, with music, drinks and a costume contest. Come dressed to compete or simply enjoy the party.
Puerto Aventuras Carnival of Terror begins Saturday, October 31, at 8 PM on the Racquet Club patio after the golf cart parade. Expect carnival games, prizes, music, food and drinks for all ages.
Halloween at Sunset Cinema: The Exorcism of Emily Rose begins Saturday, October 31, at 8:30 PM inside a cenote in Xpu-Ha. Tickets are 650 MXN for adults and 550 MXN for children under 12, including popcorn and access to three cenotes.
Milagritos & Margaritas at Café Olé runs Sunday, November 1, from 3–5 PM. The adults-only workshop includes a clay milagrito, all decorating materials and a margarita or mezcalita for 280 MXN. Space is limited to 12.
Día de los Muertos Gran Altar begins Sunday, November 1, at 5 PM at La Lomita. Everyone is invited to help build the community ofrenda by contributing flowers, fruit, corn, pan de muerto, copal, candles or a little help toward event costs.
Tulum
Mera Room x Gitano Beach begins Thursday, October 29, at 6 PM at Gitano Beach. The sunset-to-late-night beach party has tickets starting at 190 MXN.
Catrina Parade Along Calle 7 gathers Thursday, October 29, at 6:45 PM at La Serpiente in La Veleta. The procession stops at participating restaurants and bars before finishing at El Tábano Colectivo with live music, local vendors and an awards ceremony.
Las Gitanas at Gitano Jungle begins Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 PM. The weekly jungle dinner party offers a free guest list, with food and table packages also available.
Paseo Tulum Renace con sus Raíces runs Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 1, from 6–11 PM on Calle Centauro. See our Top Picks for details.
Gypsy Disco Halloween Masquerade on Friday, October 30, starting at 6 PM at Gitano Jungle. The Halloween edition runs into the early morning, with tickets starting at 550 MXN.
Moxy Halloween on Friday, October 30, starting at 7 PM at Moxy Tulum with a DJ, costume contest, Halloween cocktails and a neon tattoo station.
Ceremonia x Día de Muertos begins Saturday, October 31, at 6 PM at Gitano Beach. The evening blends music, candlelight, copal, a traditional altar, handpan and organic sounds before moving into the late-night party. Tickets start at 140 MXN.
Janal Pixán: El Encuentro de Tradiciones fills Tulum’s coastal road Sunday, November 1, with Bicicatrinas, a sacred walk, performances, regional food, artisans and an altar route from Zamas to Papaya Playa. Registration begins at 2 PM; the altar route runs 4–11 PM. Bring a lamp for the route and an LED candle for the 6:30 PM ceremony.
Hanal Pixán Concert Night at Vesica Santuario runs Sunday, November 1, from 6–10 PM. See our Top Picks for details.
Hanal Pixán at Moxy Tulum begins Sunday, November 1, at 7 PM with a Día de Muertos altar, symbolic ritual, cultural storytelling, signature cocktails and mezcal specials.
Live Music Around Town
These are the live music annoucements that have been submitted to the Riviera Maya Events Calendar before midnight on Wednesday. If your event is not listed, it may have been submitted after the cutoff.
Thursday, October 29
Andromeda at Quinta Parrilla, Playa del Carmen | 6 PM (acoustic rock)
Kraliz at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (alternative rock)
Lex at Lido Beach Club, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (acoustic)
Voodoo Chile Blues at La Vagabunda on 5th, PDC | 7:30 PM (blues)
Marc Anthony Tribute at La Vagabunda de la 38, PDC | 8 PM (Latin and salsa)
Mr. Rojo at Brain Freeze, Playa del Carmen | 8 PM (Latin pop)
Somos Nadie at Fah Bar, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Black Line at Zenzi Beach, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Polly Rockets at Corner Bar 44, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Aura Band at Caimán Public Market, PDC | 9 PM (Latin and pop-rock)
Crossover at Caimán Tugurio, Playa del Carmen | 9:30 PM (rock)
Ensambless Band at Karen’s Restaurante, PDC | 9:30 PM (variety covers)
The Roomies at Lux Morty, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock and grunge)
Dr Gumma Gumma & Sahito at RIOT, PDC | 10 PM (reggae and cumbia)
Luces Bien at Yupiss, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock)
InCircle at McCarthy’s Irish Pub, Playa del Carmen | 10:30 PM (rock)
Achy at Nauti Burro, Puerto Aventuras | 4:30 PM (live favorites)
Hound Dog at Nauti Burro, Puerto Aventuras | 7 PM (rock covers)
Blue Soul at Paparazzi Pizza, Puerto Aventuras | 8 PM (’80s and ’90s hits)
Galáctika Deep Roots at La Sirena, Puerto Morelos | 7 PM (reggae, dub and cumbia)
Delay Band at Las Micheladas del Semáforo, Puerto Morelos | 10 PM (rock covers and tributes)
Friday, October 30
Lex at Lido Beach Club, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (acoustic)
The Roomies at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (rock)
Blue Soul at La Vagabunda de la 38, PDC | 8 PM (’80s and ’90s hits)
Bad Decisions at Zenzi Beach, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Ensambless Band at Karen’s Restaurante, PDC | 8:30 PM (variety covers)
International Blues Band at Lost Tiki, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (blues)
Polly Rockets at Fah Bar, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Rock Pek at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Aura Band at Caimán Public Market, PDC| 9 PM (Latin and pop-rock)
Crossover at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Hip-Hop Night at Contracultura, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (hip-hop)
Mr. Rojo at Corner Bar 44, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (Latin pop)
Marea Roja at Caimán Tugurio, Playa del Carmen | 9:30 PM (pop)
Andromeda at Dirty Martini Lounge, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock)
Golliath at Lux Morty, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock)
Luces Bien at Yupiss, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock)
Balboa at McCarthy’s Irish Pub, Playa del Carmen | 10:30 PM (rock)
Signals at Latitude 20°, Puerto Aventuras | 6 PM (rock and pop covers)
Noches Cubanas at The Divot, Puerto Aventuras | 7:30 PM (Cuban music and salsa)
Saturday, October 31
Deja Vu at Paamul Beach Club, Paamul | 6 PM (classic rock and oldies)
Dúo Okana at La Vagabunda de la 38, Playa del Carmen | 11 AM (chillout pop)
Modem Paris at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 1 PM (pop)
Ruby Band at El Doctorcito, Playa del Carmen | 3 PM (live covers)
The Roomies at Mundo Tattoo Convention, Playa del Carmen | 4 PM (rock)
Maj7 at Fah Bar, Playa del Carmen | 6 PM (acoustic)
Joel’s Band at Caimán Tugurio, Playa del Carmen | 6 PM (live covers)
The Roomies at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (rock)
Son del Padrino at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (Latin music)
Sound Collective at Pez Vela, Playa del Carmen | 8 PM (rock and pop covers)
Elektrodealers at Zenzi Beach, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (rock)
Mambo Rap at Contracultura, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (hip-hop)
The Phoenix at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Mr. Rojo at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (Latin pop)
Aura Band at Caimán Public Market, PDC | 9 PM (Latin and pop-rock)
Crossover at Fah Bar, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Polly Rockets at Caimán Tugurio, Playa del Carmen | 9:30 PM (rock)
Ensambless Band at Karen’s Restaurante, PDC | 9:30 PM (variety covers)
Luces Bien at Corner Bar 44, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (pop-rock)
Blackout Band at Lux Morty, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock)
CRIST Project at McCarthy’s Irish Pub, PDC | 10:30 PM (heavy metal)
Angelica and Friends at Café Olé, Puerto Aventuras | 5 PM (live favorites)
Tequila Shot at Café Olé, Puerto Aventuras | 7:45 PM (rock covers)
Stefi Alonso at Paparazzi, Puerto Aventuras | 8 PM (pop)
Talla Musical at Micheladas del Semáforo, Puerto Morelos | 10:30 PM (Latin music)
UMBRAL Día de Muertos at Papaya Playa Project, Tulum | 8 PM (music, art, food and performance)
Sunday, November 1
Victoria Carpio Dueto at La Vagabunda de la 38, PDC | 11:30 AM (jazz)
Modem Paris at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 1 PM (pop)
El Flaco de la Salsa at La Vagabunda de la 38, PDC | 6:30 PM (Latin and salsa)
Juan Gabriel Tribute at Caché Hotel Boutique, PDC | 7 PM (Mexican favorites)
Kraliz at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (alternative rock)
Dúo Okana at La Vagabunda on 5th, Playa del Carmen | 7 PM (pop)
Mr. Rojo at Brain Freeze, Playa del Carmen | 8 PM (Latin pop)
Daniela Aparicio at Lido Beach Club, Playa del Carmen | 8 PM (Latin pop)
Combo Criollo at Zenzi Beach, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (salsa)
Mad Horse Country at Fah Bar, Playa del Carmen | 8:30 PM (country)
Luces Bien at Corner Bar 44, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (pop-rock)
Golliath at Bloody Mary, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Lazy Dynamite at Caimán Tugurio, Playa del Carmen | 9 PM (rock)
Ensambless Band at Karen’s Restaurante, PDC | 9:30 PM (variety covers)
Primera Fila at Yupiss, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (Latin music)
The Roomies at Lux Morty, Playa del Carmen | 10 PM (rock and grunge)
Blue Soul at Munchy’s, Puerto Aventuras | 5 PM (’60s, ’70s and ’80s hits)
CRIST Project at Micheladas del Semáforo, Puerto Morelos | 7 PM (rock)
Puerto Malix at La Sirena, Puerto Morelos | 8 PM (jazz-flamenco fusion)
Stavroz Live at UMBRAL, Papaya Playa Project, Tulum | 8 PM (electronic live set)
The roundup is only part of what’s happening. The full Riviera Maya Events Calendar also has DJ and techno nights, karaoke, dancing, wellness events and plenty of late-night fun that didn’t make this edition. Take a look and find your kind of weekend fun.
Would you like to see your event featured in the Weekend Roundup? Make sure it is submitted to the Riviera Maya Events Calendar on Wednesday for consideration in the Thursday newsletter.
JOIN THE INSIDERS!
Did you find us on Facebook? Did a friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe to get the best of the Riviera Maya delivered to your inbox every week for FREE!
Thanks for reading Riviera Maya Insider! I hope you have a great weekend!
FTC Partner Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you click on them and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support our work and keeps this valuable content free for readers. We only recommend products and we use and love. We will always tell you if you are entering a sponsored or partner section. Thank you for your support!
