Each year, festivals are held in Mexico to celebrate Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday in which families honor their late loved ones.
The annual Day of the Dead festivities draw tens of thousands of attendees, with many wearing floral, vibrant clothing and face paint.
Day of the Dead combines the ancient Aztec custom of celebrating ancestors with All Souls' Day, a holiday that Spanish invaders brought to Mexico starting in the early 1500s.
The holiday is recognized in Mexico on November 1 and 2, although celebrations often begin in late October.
This year, Mexico City unveiled a
The giant skeleton is dressed in purple and surrounded by thousands of marigolds in the city's historic Zócalo.
La Catrina is an elegantly dressed female skeleton and has become the unofficial mascot of Día de Los Muertos.
Día de Los Muertos' roots trace back at least 3000 years to the ancient Mesoamerican rituals practiced by the Aztecs, among others.
Día de Los Muertos is a joyful time that helps people remember the deceased and celebrate their memory.
Americans Could Shatter Halloween Sales Record
Over in the states, Americans are also expected to break a record this holiday season.
Americans are expected to spend a staggering $13.5 billion on Halloween-related purchases in 2026, according to Forbes.
The outlet reported that costumes are expected to generate $4.4 billion in revenue. Halloween decorations project to fetch a nearly identical amount.
The projected $13.5 billion revenue this Halloween would surpass the previous mark of $13.1 billion set in 2025, according to CapitalOneShopping.com.
Capital One reported that Americans will spend $920 million on Halloween costumes for their pets in 2026.
Trick-or-treaters are also fueling the boom in Halloween sales.
Forbes projects that Americans will spend $4.1 billion on candy.
Instacart analyzed candy purchases from October 2025 for its latest Halloween report.
The report assesses everything from the country's most-purchased sweets to the states and cities buying the most candy.
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups remain the clear national favorite, ranking as the most-purchased candy in 40 states
