Marigold Fields Night Experience

Transform into a Catrina for a night among the marigolds

Early-bird tickets are $135 USD (only until April 30, 2026)
Regular tickets are $150 USD

Step into the marigold fields of Oaxaca with professional Catrina makeup, local guidance, and a night photo session rooted in the season of Day of the Dead.

Item	Details
Meeting Point	Central Meeting Point, in Oaxaca City – to be emailed before the event
End Point	Central End Point in Oaxaca City – same as the meeting point
Duration	Approximately 5 to 6 hours, including makeup, transport, photos, and meal
Physical Level	Low – This experience involves minimal walking, approximately 30 minutes
Cultural Rating	Moderate – a good balance of cultural history and engaging with locals
Ages	18+ (minors to be accompanied by adults or guardians)
Group Size	Public – Min 10, Max 18

Why We Created This Experience

We created this experience for guests who want to engage with Day of the Dead through one of its most recognizable and meaningful visual symbols: the marigold. These flowers are not only beautiful. They are tied to memory, offerings, and the pathways believed to help guide loved ones back during the Muertos season.

We also wanted to create an experience that felt both artistic and culturally grounded. That is why this evening is shaped not only by photography, but by the people who live these traditions. Local makeup artists, marigold farmers, photographers, and hosts all play a role in making the night feel rooted in Oaxaca rather than staged around it.

Our goal is for you to leave with more than beautiful portraits. We want you to come away with a deeper connection to the season, a stronger appreciation for the role of marigolds in Day of the Dead, and a set of images that feel tied to place, tradition, and memory.

What Makes This Experience Different

Many visitors see marigolds in the markets or on altars, but very few get to experience them in the fields at night, just before or during the season when they are most closely tied to Day of the Dead in Oaxaca. That shift in setting changes everything.

This experience is also not only about watching. You take part in the transformation yourself. With professional Catrina or Catrín makeup, local guidance, transport to the countryside, and a dedicated photo session in the illuminated fields, the evening becomes something far more immersive than a simple stop for pictures.

It also remains closely tied to local work and local knowledge. The artists, farmers, and photographers involved are not decorative additions to the event. They are part of what gives the experience its meaning and helps keep it connected to the traditions it draws from.

What to Expect During the Evening

This is a one-day evening experience taking place on October 28, 2026. Your night begins in Oaxaca City with a professional face-painting session booked in advance according to your selected time slot. Each slot can accommodate up to 3 people, so if you are booking for a larger group, it is important to reserve enough sessions for everyone.

Once transformed into your Catrina or Catrín look, you will regroup at the central departure point and travel together by private transport out to the countryside. As daylight fades and the evening settles in, the marigold fields begin to take on a very different feeling. The flowers glow warmly, and the setting becomes ideal for portrait photography.

With the help of a professional photographer, you will step into the rows of marigolds for a dedicated photo session. The aim is not only to take striking images, but to create portraits that feel tied to the atmosphere of the season and the importance of the flower itself within Day of the Dead traditions.

During the evening, you will also enjoy a meal of traditional festival food with a non-alcoholic drink. That gives the experience a more relaxed rhythm and a chance to take in the setting beyond the photography itself.

Please note that edited professional photos are included, but they are not delivered immediately. Muertos is one of the photographer’s busiest seasons of the year, and all images require careful editing afterward. Final edited photos are normally delivered digitally within about 3 to 4 weeks, and we think it is worth setting that expectation clearly from the beginning.

By the end of the evening, the intention is not only that you leave with beautiful photos, but that you feel you have taken part in something more rooted and memorable than a costume shoot alone.

Is this experience right for me?

This experience is best suited for travelers who want an artistic Day of the Dead experience that still feels connected to local tradition and place, rather than something purely performative.

It is a strong fit for guests who enjoy photography, visual storytelling, and dressing for the occasion, but who also want to understand why marigolds matter so much during Muertos in Oaxaca.

It is less suited to guests who want immediate photo delivery, do not enjoy planned time slots, or are looking for a faster, more casual stop. Patience, punctuality, and a willingness to let the evening unfold at its own rhythm will help you get more from it.

What to bring to the Marigold Fields Night Experience

Oaxaca evenings in late October can be cool and sometimes rainy, especially out in the fields. Please plan your outfit with both tradition and comfort in mind.

• Traditional clothing
  Optional, but strongly encouraged if you want a fuller Catrina or Catrín look in your photos.
• Warm layers
  A light jacket, shawl, or long sleeves are recommended for the cooler evening air.
• Comfortable shoes
  Closed-toe shoes or sneakers are best for walking through uneven farmland terrain. Heels are not recommended.
• Weather-ready extras
  If rain is possible, a compact umbrella or poncho can be useful.
• Cash
  Bring only what you expect to spend, perhaps for snacks, flowers, drinks, gratuities, or a taxi to your next stop.

Please note: Traditional attire is encouraged but not required. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable, can move easily in the fields, and are dressed appropriately for an outdoor evening experience.

What is included with the Marigold Fields Night Experience?

• Professional photo session in the marigold fields
  Edited professional photos will be delivered digitally after the event.
• Pre-event information
  Helpful preparation notes are shared in advance.
• Professional Catrina or Catrín face-painting session
  Your time slot is selected at booking.
• A specially trained Oaxacan English-speaking host
  Your host helps facilitate the experience from start to finish.
• Round-trip transport
  Travel between Oaxaca City and the marigold fields is included.
• A meal at the field location
  Traditional local festival food and a non-alcoholic drink are included.

What is not included in your Day of the Dead Experience?

• Travel insurance (or a signed Liability Form)
  Compulsory for all guests. We recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance.

• International flights
  Flights to and from Oaxaca are not included.
• Additional transportation
  Transport to the meeting point and from the end point is not included.
• Accommodation in Oaxaca
  Lodging before or after the experience is not included.
• Alcoholic beverages
  Alcohol is not included.
• Gratuities
  Tips for your host, photographer, driver, or makeup artist are not included.
• Personal spending money
  Bring extra cash if you would like additional food, drinks, flowers, or other personal purchases.

Ready to Book Your Place?

This is a one-day event taking place on October 28, 2026.

Early-bird tickets are $135 USD until April 30, 2026. After that, regular tickets are $150 USD.

Because this event only happens once per year and Oaxaca fills quickly for Day of the Dead, we strongly recommend reserving your place and your accommodation as early as possible.

Please note: Edited photos are delivered after the Muertos season workload is complete. This usually takes around 3 to 4 weeks, and we appreciate your patience.

Our other Muertos experiences

Need a place to stay for Day of the Dead in Oaxaca?

To make things easier, we’ve created an interactive map below to help you explore accommodation options in and around Oaxaca City during this sacred and celebrated time. The map is pre-set for the week of Day of the Dead, though you can adjust your travel dates and number of guests to suit your trip. It displays both hotels and short-term rentals so you can compare availability, location, and reviews at a glance. We’ve also pinned a central point that marks the meeting location for many of our group events. The closer you stay to this marker, the easier it will be to access our experiences and much of the activity in Centro Oaxaca.

Please note: accommodation fills up incredibly early for Day of the Dead. Hotels and home stays often begin selling out many months in advance, with prices rising sharply as the dates approach. Booking as far in advance as possible is highly recommended to avoid limited choices or higher rates.

Please double-check the currency displayed, as it may vary depending on your device settings or the website you’re viewing.

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

For every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% of the total sales price to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Mexico TRIP projects.

Cancellation & Rebooking Policy

All tours, services, and experiences booked through WSE Travel are bound to our Terms and Conditions, which were modeled after most other travel services such as flights, hotels, and other tour operators.

At Where Sidewalks End, your reservation is more than a transaction. It’s a direct contract with local professionals who rely on this work as a primary source of income. As such, we are obligated to honor the livelihoods of our local partners, including guides, photographers, makeup artists, farmers, and drivers, who dedicate their time exclusively to your experience.

In many of the destinations where we operate, labor protections and fair wage commitments are upheld by local laws, and we are both ethically and contractually required to adhere to them. Once a booking is confirmed, the service providers committed to your experience are financially compensated for reserving their time, even in the event of cancellation. This ensures fair and dignified treatment for all involved in delivering your experience.

If You Need to Cancel or Reschedule

All bookings are subject to the following terms:

More than 14 Days’ Notice

Your payment will be placed into a Lifetime Deposit (Safety Deposit Box). This can be:

• Used for a future date
• Transferred to a friend or family member

Refunds are not available unless WSE Travel cancels your booking due to reasons beyond your control.

7–14 Days’ Notice

A 50% rebooking fee will apply. This helps offset the compensation obligations to your dedicated team of local guides and service providers, who have reserved their day exclusively for your private tour and may not be able to secure alternate work with us or others on short notice.

Less than 7 Days’ Notice

The full cost of the tour is retained to pay the locals contracted in full. As this is a fixed-date group experience, your local team’s time is fully dedicated to your session. A new team will be hired for any future rebooking.

These policies are a compassionate extension of our official Terms & Conditions, designed to support both our guests and the ethical standards of responsible tourism.

Travel Insurance or Liability Waiver Required

Because life can be unpredictable, and because we are required to uphold our commitments to local partners, all guests must either:

• Provide proof of comprehensive travel insurance, or
• Sign a Liability Waiver Form at the start of their trip

We highly recommend SafetyWing Nomad Insurance, trusted by global travelers for its flexible, affordable coverage and very competitive rates.

Travel insurance can help protect you from financial losses related to:

• Illness
• Missed flights
• Emergency cancellations
• Non-refundable bookings

If you choose to travel without Travel Insurance, you will be required to fill out a Liability Waiver Form at the beginning of your trip. 

Thank You for Traveling Responsibly

We deeply appreciate your understanding and support of ethical tourism. Your booking directly sustains local communities and helps preserve cultural traditions in a meaningful and lasting way.

If you have any questions or need help rescheduling, please contact us – we’re always happy to assist.