Published Friday, 23 October, 12:27 p.m. ET (10:27 a.m. Mexico City) · Source: Coparmex Ciudad de México, La Jornada
Mexico City employers expect this year’s Day of the Dead season to bring in 12.4 billion pesos (about US$664 million at 18.67 pesos per dollar). The forecast comes from Coparmex, the capital branch of Mexico’s national employers’ federation, and was released on Wednesday, 21 October.
It lands ten days before the capital’s parade and adds to our Day of the Dead 2026 updates. Day of the Dead is Mexico’s 1 and 2 November holiday honouring the dead with home altars, flowers and special bread.
Key Facts
- What: Mexico City employers forecast 12.4 billion pesos (about US$664 million) from Day of the Dead.
- Who benefits: About 68,100 businesses, 93.3% of them microbusinesses, employing more than 461,000 people.
- Altar costs: Coparmex puts typical altar purchases at 200 to 4,000 pesos (about US$11 to US$214).
- Parade: The capital’s Day of the Dead parade is set for Saturday, 31 October 2026.
- US link: San Antonio’s Muertos Fest runs 23 to 25 October; El Paso’s parade is 24 October.
In plain English
Coparmex is an employers’ group, so its figure is a forecast, not an official statistic. Ofrenda means the home altar families build for relatives who have died.
Employers See a Broad Economic Lift
Coparmex says the season will spread across markets, bakeries, flower shops, restaurants and hotels. Adal Ortiz Ávalos, president of Coparmex Mexico City, said the season supports family income, local markets and small businesses.
Small Businesses Carry the Season
About 68,100 businesses should benefit, and 93.3% of them are microbusinesses. More than 461,000 people work in those firms.
Coparmex puts typical ofrenda purchases at 200 to 4,000 pesos (about US$11 to US$214). They cover cempasúchil marigolds, pan de muerto bread, sweets and traditional goods.
Parade and Regional Programmes Ahead
Mexico City’s Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026. Reports differ on where the route starts, so check the city’s official channels before travelling.
Michoacán’s tourism ministry says its Semana de Noche de Muertos runs from 23 October to 2 November with more than 700 activities. Puebla’s Festival de Muertos es un Sueño offers more than 50 artistic proposals and runs until 3 November.
US Border Cities Join In
In San Antonio, Muertos Fest runs from 23 to 25 October at Hemisfair. The free event has more than 90 community-made altars, five stages, two processions and more than 85 art vendors.
El Paso holds its Día de los Muertos parade and festival on Saturday, 24 October, from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET (11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mountain Time). The parade itself starts at 6 p.m. ET (4 p.m. Mountain Time).
What It Means for US Readers
A US visitor can use that range as a guide to what a home altar costs in the capital. The parade falls on Saturday, 31 October, and the holiday itself on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 November.
Closer to home, both Texas events are free to enter and open to families. Check each organiser’s page for exact entry rules.
What Is Not Known
The 12.4-billion-peso figure is a forecast, and Coparmex has not published how it was calculated. No official federal or Mexico City government estimate appears in the reports we reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will Day of the Dead add to Mexico City's economy?
Coparmex, an employers' federation, forecasts 12.4 billion pesos (about US$664 million) for 2026. It is a forecast, not an official statistic.
When is Mexico City's Day of the Dead parade?
The Gran Desfile de Día de Muertos is scheduled for Saturday, 31 October 2026. It is the capital's main public celebration of the holiday.
How much does a Day of the Dead altar cost?
Coparmex puts typical ofrenda purchases at 200 to 4,000 pesos (about US$11 to US$214). They include marigolds, pan de muerto, sweets and traditional goods.
Where can Americans celebrate Day of the Dead?
San Antonio's free Muertos Fest runs 23 to 25 October at Hemisfair. El Paso's parade and festival is on 24 October, with the parade at 6 p.m. ET.
Sources: La Jornada · Vanguardia · Crónica · Diario de México · Excélsior · KSAT · El Paso Times
Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief · Editorial standards · Report an error
The Rio Times · Power Map
See who really holds power in Latin America
Click to open the Power Map →