Day of the Dead 2026 in Australia: where to celebrate this week

On 1 and 2 November, Mexico remembers its dead. It isn't a day of mourning: families build altars with photos, flowers, candles and the favourite food of the people they've lost, and welcome them back for one night. In Australia the date now has its own calendar, and this year it falls on a weekend.

Melbourne: Federation Square and the Catrina walk

MexVic and Mexbourne Dance Company host Day of the Dead at Federation Square on Sunday 1 November, from 12 pm to 9 pm. At 2 pm the Caminata de Catrinas (Catrina walk) leaves from the State Library of Victoria. If you want to go in Catrina make-up, get there early: it's the most photographed part of the day.

On Saturday the 31st the party moves indoors with the opening of La Cueva Superclub at Therapy Nightclub, Southbank, themed around Day of the Dead.

Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra

• Sydney: VIVA MEXICO Day of the Dead Spectacular, Saturday 31 October at the Seymour Centre.
• Brisbane: Noche de los Muertos, a Latin Halloween party on Friday the 30th at 93 Social Club, Fortitude Valley.
• Canberra: Day of the Dead Fiesta at Poppyfield Commons, Dickson, and Día de los Muertos x Halloween at Blackbird Bar, both on Saturday the 31st.

Times and tickets for all of them are in the Latinhood events agenda.

Adelaide: a tradition you can taste

Chefs Alejandro Huerta and Galia Valadez, who grew up in Mexico City, told SBS Spanish that for them the date is about sharing stories and honouring family with the food they grew up on. They're cooking a special Day of the Dead dinner on Tuesday 3 November at their restaurant.

What each part of the altar means

• Candles: guide the souls back home.
• Cempasúchil (marigold): the orange flower whose colour and scent mark the way.
• Water and salt: for the thirst and tiredness of the journey.
• Pan de muerto: the sweet bread of the season, topped with little dough bones.
• Sugar skulls: each one carries the name of the person you're remembering.

Where to eat Mexican this week

Hungry after the walk? In Melbourne there's Mercadito Coctelería & Taquería in Brunswick and CDMX Melbourne Central. In Sydney, Olotl in Newtown and Adobo Taco Shop in Rosebery. In Adelaide, Chile Mojo. And for altar pieces at home, Viva La Calavera sells Mexican crafts in Melbourne.

With reporting from SBS Spanish.