In Puerto Vallarta, the dead will soon walk the Earth — so let the parties begin! Starting on October 30th and continuing through November 3rd, the dearly departed will rise from their graves and join the living in celebration.

At first glance, the Mexican custom of El Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, may sound much like the U.S. custom of Halloween. After all, the celebration traditionally starts at midnight on the night of October 31st, and the festivities are abundant in images related to death.

But the customs have different origins. In typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. But on November 2nd, El Día de Los Muertos, death — or at least the memories of those who have died — is something to be celebrated.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Despite the dreary name, El Día de Los Muertos is marked by grave side celebrations with vibrant bouquets of marigolds and heaping plates of favorite foods honoring lost loved ones in the ancient Mexican tradition.

Because of this warm social environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and good company, this commemoration of the dead has pleasant overtones for observers. However, if you are attending a celebration, it is wise to remember that these are reverent events steeped in generations of tradition and culture.

That's not to say that if you happen to be celebrating Halloween in Puerto Vallarta, you won't find plenty of fun and frightening activities, costume parties, tricks and treats for people of all ages to enjoy.

Every year, the Asociación Vallarta Centro hosts a frighteningly fun Día de Los Muertos Festival, and this year will be no exception! With Day of the Dead altars located in El Centro hotels, restaurants and various public places like the Malecón, City Hall and Plaza Lazaro Cardenas; Catrina displays, a street party, and other fun activities; the 5th annual celebration promise to be magnificent.

One of the festival's distinguishing activities is the 'Day of the Dead Passport.' The dynamic is simple: Tourists and Residents are invited to visit altars at participating downtown businesses, where your "passport" will be stamped with the exhibitors' logos. Some of the businesses participating this year include Hotel Villa Premiere, Hotel Rosita, El Arrayán Restaurant and Colectika Art Gallery, among others.

These stamps entitle you to participate in the raffle for prizes to be awarded at the Agustín Rodríguez (the street in front of the Rio Cuale market) Street Party on November 2 from 7:00-10:00 pm. Called Festival del Día de Muertos en la Calle, festivities include singing, dancing, Mariachi music, Folkloric ballet, jineteo and charro performances, plus a Catrinas exhibit, regional cuisine, and a fireworks display.

On Halloween night, Mexican trick-or-treaters do not come to your door, nor do they shout "trick-or-treat." Instead groups of ghosts, goblins, super heroes and princesses wander down the sidewalks in busy tourist areas chanting "Queremos Halloween" (we want Halloween) to passers-by, who happily hand out heaps of candy. In other words, the celebration and the Gringos have been 'Mexican-ized' a little.

But many local bars and restaurants still host US-style Halloween costume contests with substantial cash prizes, along with traditional Día de los Muertos food and drink, which are traditionally served from October 30th through November 3rd.