Tricks and Treats: Halloween and Day of the Dead Events in Los Cabos
The rapid recovery efforts in the month since Hurricane Odile made landfall are a testament to the spirit of the inhabitants of Los Cabos. But now, as the end of October approaches, the area is about to be inhabited by spirits. Yes, it’s time for Halloween and Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead – seasonal holidays often confused with one another by gringos – but each of which is celebrated, to a greater or lesser extent, locally.
Cabo Blue is hosting one of Cabo’s most anticipated Halloween Parties in 2014, with costumes, cocktails in black cauldrons, and live music courtesy of Los Rancheros Tristes.
What’s the difference? Good question. Halloween, or All Hallow’s Eve, was originally a pagan holiday to celebrate the end of the harvest season. It’s celebrated annually on October 31, and in the United States, is mainly notable for carved pumpkins, haunted houses, and costumed children roaming the streets in search of candy or other sugary sweets. The latter part of the equation probably accounts for the inroads Halloween has made in various areas of México, despite its lack of tradition here. In Los Cabos, many children now put on costumes and go out in search of candy on Halloween, most notably along the main drag (Marina Boulevard) and throughout the downtown district of Cabo San Lucas. So if you’re in town, do the right thing and pick up a package of tiny candy bars to hand out.
The Day of the Dead, unlike Halloween, is traditional throughout México and many other parts of Latin America, with origins that date back to the pre-Columbian period. Essentially, it is a time to celebrate friends and family who have passed away. November 2 is the official date, but remembrances are observed from October 31 – November 2. During this time, families will often visit the gravesites of deceased relatives, or make ofrendas, “offerings” placed on small altars in their homes to honor the departed. The altars are often adorned with food or drinks favored by the lost loved one, as well as things like candles, photos, calaveras de azúcar (candies in the shape of skulls), pan de muerto (special Day of the Dead bread ) and cempasúchil flowers (Aztec marigolds). Catrina figures, female skeletons dressed in elaborately colorful costumes, are also a common sight during Day of the Dead celebrations, as well as being big sellers in many souvenir stores.
Day of the Dead celebrations are traditional in Mexico. Thanks to legendary local nightclub El Squid Roe, so too might “day of the undead” celebrations.
Speaking of costumes, dressing up is de rigeur at the area’s biggest and best Halloween parties. And for those in the spirit of things (pardon the pun: I’ll try not to do it again when I start mentioning drink specials), outré outfitting opportunities are scarcely confined to October 31. Rockstone Tavern & Eatery, which recently celebrated its first anniversary in the heart of Cabo San Lucas’ nightlife district, will host the season’s first costume party on October 23. The event is sponsored by UjENA – a U.S.-based specialist in women’s beachwear, including bikinis, tankinis, cover-ups and sundresses – with gift certificates and other prizes earmarked for those with the wickedest wardrobes. Additional enticements include 2×1 deals on Jack Daniels, Jack Honey, Jimador and Finlandia, as well as live music from Dos Huevos starting at 10:30 p.m.
The Halloween season’s longest running soirée, and still its sexiest, is the annual Pimp N’ Ho Costume Ball, scheduled this year for Saturday, October 25, at Baja Junkie. With a premise that hardly needs explaining (think “tricks” rather than “treats”), this yearly fête is famous for hosting scores of Playboy Playmates, and drawing celebrity guests such as music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs and boxing champion Floyd Mayweather. The late night celebration of hedonism and conspicuous consumption is typically one of the toughest tickets in town, but in deference to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Odile, prices have been greatly reduced. General admission for men has been marked down from $150 to $10; women’s admission from $50 to $5.
Galleries in San Jose del Cabo’s historic Art District are hosting “Day of the Dead Art & Altars” installations form Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 2014.
Halloween night has its share of parties, of course. Legendary downtown nightspot El Squid Roe is hosting a Zombieland 2014 bash on Friday, October 31 – the atmosphere will be completely live, but for costume purposes, go as “dead” as possible – and downtown local’s hangout Cabo Blue is featuring its own “fright night” blowout, with 2×1 Jack Daniels and $80 peso AMF cocktails (the first word is Adíos, you’re on your own with the last two) served in appropriately sized black cauldrons (supplies limited). Popular local band Los Rancheros Tristes (The Sad Ranchers) will supply mood perfect musical stylings from 10:30 p.m.
And for those interested in the history and tradition associated with El Día de los Muertos, select galleries in San José del Cabo’s historic Distrito del Arte (Art District) will feature “Day of the Dead Art & Altars” installations from October 31 – November 2. For more information, visit http://artcabo.com/art-altars-day-of-the-dead-celebration/.