The Zócalo, formally Plaza de la Constitución, is the central square in Mexico City that has hosted large Day of the Dead installations.
The immense plaza occupies the historic center and is bordered by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and other major civic buildings. It has long served as a venue for public ceremonies, demonstrations, cultural events, and national celebrations, making it a natural setting for large-scale holiday displays.
Day of the Dead installations have appeared in the Zócalo as Mexico City developed highly visible urban celebrations. The square is also associated with the modern Day of the Dead parade that began in 2016, after the film Spectre depicted a fictional parade through the city.
The name Zócalo comes from the Spanish word for a plinth or base. A planned monument to Mexican independence was never completed beyond its base, but the nickname remained attached to the plaza. Chapultepec is a major park, Alameda Central is another historic park, and Plaza Garibaldi is known especially for mariachi music.