Catrina and altar contests in Cabo San Lucas: prizes up to 10,000 pesos, registration closes Oct. 30
Los Cabos' IMAIA will hold both contests on November 1 at the León Cota Collins public plaza; Halloween costumes and materials are not allowed.
The Los Cabos Municipal Institute of Art and Identity (IMAIA) has opened registration for its catrín and catrina contest and its traditional altar contest, both taking place on November 1 at the León Cota Collins public plaza in Cabo San Lucas. Registration closes Friday, October 30.
Both categories offer 10,000 pesos for first place, 5,000 for second and 3,000 for third, plus certificates, according to the City of Los Cabos. The contests are part of the 2026 Day of the Dead Festival.
Catrines and catrinas
Participants must arrive at 6:30 p.m. Judges will score creativity, originality, makeup, personality and faithfulness to Mexican traditions.
"No se permitirán caracterizaciones alusivas a Halloween" (Halloween-themed characters will not be allowed), said IMAIA general director Leonardo Jiménez Castrejón.
Traditional altars
Each participant gets a 3-by-3-meter space and must set up between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. During judging, each has up to five minutes to explain the altar.
Judges will consider creativity, composition, originality, traditional meaning and the use of Mexican and Indigenous cultural elements. Halloween materials are not permitted.
How to register
Sign up in person at the IMAIA offices on Misión de Chinvari street, in the Tierra y Libertad neighborhood of Cabo San Lucas. With the deadline on Friday, go during office hours and bring an ID.
Tips for participants
- Altar: classic elements include the arch, papel picado (cut paper banners), cempasúchil marigolds, candles, water, salt, pan de muerto and a photo of the person being honored. Prepare a short explanation that fits in five minutes.
- Catrina or catrín: the character comes from José Guadalupe Posada's Calavera Garbancera; go for period costume and Mexican skull makeup rather than horror characters.
- Check the weather: if it rains again, bring cover for your altar, since setup starts in the morning.
Related
Staff from Guerrero's Civil Registry will serve residents at the covered court in the Las Palmas neighborhood, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; some procedures are free and others discounted.
Training starts December 2, runs 10 months, and requires applicants to be at least 17 and a half with high school completed or in progress.
Plastic, paper, cardboard, glass, cans, Tetra Pak, expired medicine, batteries and appliances will be accepted from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Municipal Health Institute offers the service from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.