Mercado Hidalgo’s Day of the Dead altar is up, honoring the 58 street vendors who founded the market

Mercado Hidalgo, the Zona Río market known for its chiles, moles, candy, piñatas and clay pots, opened its traditional Día de Muertos altar on Thursday, Oct. 15. This year’s ofrenda looks at the market’s own history: it carries photos of 58 merchant members, a tribute to the 58 street vendors who founded the market 71 years ago, and it also remembers merchants and loved ones who have died, Diario Tijuana reported. The inauguration, part of the market’s 71st-anniversary activities, was titled “Camino al Mictlán” and included incense and traditional chants, according to SanDiegoRed.

The altar has the classic elements, cempasúchil, papel picado, candles, copal, water, salt, pan de muerto, food and drink, along with a ceramic xoloitzcuintle, the dog said to guide souls. Martha Isabel Estrada Ramírez, who heads communications for the market, described the altar as a way of saying “aquí sigues presente” (you’re still here with us).

It is free to visit through Nov. 2, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., El Imparcial reported. Luis Fernando Rodríguez López, president of the market’s merchants’ union, said vendors hope the season lifts sales by as much as 40% after a slow year, and that they will try to hold prices on fruit, vegetables and altar decorations despite higher costs. Merchant Diana Zamora told El Imparcial that sugar skulls and ceramic xolos, the xolos from 200 pesos, are the top sellers ahead of Nov. 1 and 2.

Plan your visit

• Go on a weekday if you can: the altar’s hours run later, until 6 p.m.
• Bring pesos in cash; many family-run stalls don’t take cards. Address, parking and what to eat inside are on our Mercado Hidalgo profile.
• The market is a short walk, about a third of a mile, from the CECUT, so it pairs easily with a museum visit.
• On Sunday, Nov. 1, downtown hosts a free Día de Muertos festival and parade (details).

More Day of the Dead plans are on our calendar.