All year long there are festivals occurring in Uruapan. The two most noteworthy and that fill the hotels are; Noche de Muertos (Night of the Dead) and Semana Santa (Holy Week) The first is November 1 and the second is Holy Week.
Michoacan is the center of the part pagan, part Christian celebration of Noche de Muertos. (Night of the Dead) Tzintzuntzin the capital of the Tarascan empire is especially important, but Ofrendas (altars) are also abundant in the streets of Patzcuaro and Uruapan. For the past three years, Uruapan has also had a celebration of velas. (candles) More than 10,000 adorn the Centro Historica and the main plaza.
During Semana Santa, the artisans fill the four block long plaza in Uruapan. This year more than 1,200 came to display and sell their work. Representing 73 communities, the artisans came with 1 million pieces. These ranged from copper works of art (Santa Clara del Cobre) to fine guitars. (Paracho)
There were two parades during the week. A parade of the artesanos and a parade of the aguadores. (Water carriers) The later had men and women dressed in regional costume carrying water from the Rio Cupatitzio, to the Inmaculada church for blessing. Of course both had musical groups in their processions. In Uruapan, there is always something colorful and cultural going on.
