All Souls' Day 2025
Date: November 2, 2025 (Sunday)
Country: Haiti Public Holidays
Description
All Souls Day in Haiti is a special day to remember people who have died. It is a time for families and communities to think about lost loved ones and to honor their memory in a respectful way.
This observance falls every year on November 2. It follows All Saints Day on November 1. In Haiti the date is well known and many people see it as a day to reflect on life and death together.
The holiday is meaningful because it connects religion and culture. Haiti has strong Catholic roots, and All Souls Day also blends with local beliefs about ancestors. This gives the day deep emotional and spiritual importance for many Haitians.
All Souls Day helps communities remember their shared history. It brings attention to family ties and the past. For many people in Haiti the day is a time for quiet thought, respect, and a sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves.
Traditions
Families clean and paint tombs, lay fresh flowers and light many candles at graves. People sit together at the cemetery, keeping watch over ancestors through the night and keeping the place bright and cared for.
They bring big picnic meals to share at the gravesite. Common foods are diri kole ak pwa, griot, fried fish, pikliz and fried plantains. Sweet breads and cakes are also left as offerings or eaten by the family.
There is singing, drumming and prayer. Many attend Mass earlier, then return to the cemetery for blessings. People pour libations and leave small gifts and candles on graves.
Some families include Vodou ceremonies led by a houngan or mambo. Rituals, songs and stories honor ancestors while friends laugh and remember together.
Travel Tips
Expect many shops, banks, and government offices to be closed or on reduced hours. Plan cash, snacks, and fuel ahead. Streets, cemeteries, and main squares can be very crowded, so allow extra travel time and avoid last minute plans.
Join public events with respect and stay in groups at night. Use trusted taxi or ride services, keep valuables out of sight, and follow police directions. Book hotels early and choose places near main areas to walk safely and enjoy the atmosphere.