All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day 2025: what’s happening today and tomorrow, who observes them, and how people mark the twin feasts

As the Halloween decorations come down, much of the Christian world shifts from costumes to candles. All Saints’ Day falls today, Saturday, November 1, followed by All Souls’ Day tomorrow, Sunday, November 2. Together they bookend a weekend of remembrance: one for all who are in heaven (famous and unknown), the other for all the faithful departed still on the journey to God.

What each day means—at a glance

• All Saints’ Day (Nov 1): A celebratory feast honoring every saint, canonized or hidden. In many countries it carries Sunday-level solemnity, with packed church services, white-and-gold vestments, and processions.

• All Souls’ Day (Nov 2): A day of prayer for the dead. The tone turns reflective: Requiem liturgies, the reading of names, and visits to cemeteries where families light candles and lay flowers.

Who keeps these days (and when)

• Catholic, Anglican/Episcopal, and Lutheran communities observe both days (details vary by tradition and country).

• Eastern Orthodox churches mark All Saints on the first Sunday after Pentecost and hold multiple memorial Saturdays for the departed throughout the year.

• Many places roll parish observances to the nearest Sunday so more people can attend, but the calendar dates remain Nov 1–2.

What’s different this weekend

• Public holiday status: In parts of Europe and Latin America, November 1 is a public holiday, which means reduced hours for banks, government offices, and some shops. Expect heavier travel as families visit relatives and cemeteries.

• Traffic & logistics: Some regions enforce holiday truck restrictions or Sunday-style trading rules around Nov 1; drivers and shippers plan routes accordingly.

• Cemetery traditions: Evening falls bring seas of lights—rows of candles on graves from Poland to Portugal, across Italy, France, Spain, and the Philippines (where the weekend-long observance is known as Undás).

Why two days—and not one?

The pairing is intentional. Today’s feast lifts eyes to the goal—the communion of saints. Tomorrow’s commemoration extends solidarity backward in love, with prayers for those who have died. The two-day rhythm keeps celebration and compassion in balance.

How people mark All Saints’ Day (today)

• Worship: Festive church services; in some places it’s a day of obligation for Catholics.

• Symbols & music: White/gold colors; hymns about hope and holiness.

• Local customs: Children dressing as favorite saints; neighborhood processions; simple family meals that feature regional pastries (e.g., “bones of the saint” sweets in Iberia and Italy).

How people mark All Souls’ Day (tomorrow)

• Cemetery visits: Families clean headstones, bring chrysanthemums or marigolds, and light votive candles as dusk approaches.

• Prayers for the departed: Parish lists of names, memorial books, and special intentions; some communities add food drives or almsgiving in memory of loved ones.

• Quiet hospitality: Many households set an extra place at the table or keep photos on a home altar as a sign of remembrance.

Country snapshots you’ll see in the news

• Mexico: Día de los Muertos spans Nov 1–2 with altars (ofrendas), marigolds, and visits to cemeteries—joyful remembrance that blends Catholic and Indigenous traditions.

• Philippines: Undás turns cemeteries into family reunions with prayers, candles, and shared food.

• Central & Eastern Europe: Illuminated graveyards and traffic advisories near large cemeteries on Nov 1–2.

• Western Europe: Church services in the morning, cemetery visits toward sunset; some regions impose quiet-hour rules near burial grounds to preserve a respectful atmosphere.

If you’re traveling or planning a visit

• Check hours: Museums, shops, and public offices in some countries run holiday schedules on Nov 1.

• Bring cash & candles: Flower stalls and candle sellers cluster near cemetery gates; lines grow near dusk.

• Mind local etiquette: Keep pathways clear, lower your voice, and place spent candle cups in marked bins.

Simple ways to participate—whatever your tradition

• Name the names: Write the names of loved ones who have died and read them aloud with family or friends.

• Light a candle: At home or at a gravesite, a small light at dusk is the shared language of this weekend.

• Offer help: Donate food or volunteer in someone’s memory; many parishes and community groups run collections on Nov 2.

• Visit, if you can: A brief stop at a cemetery—even without a specific grave—connects you to the wider act of remembrance.

FAQ

Is All Saints’ Day the same as All Souls’ Day?
No. Today celebrates those already in heaven; tomorrow prays for all the departed.

Are these days only Catholic?
They’re most prominent in Catholic life but are also kept (with variations) in Anglican/Episcopal and Lutheran churches, with related memorial practices across other communities.

Do I need to be religious to take part?
No. Many people of all backgrounds use the weekend to remember loved ones, visit graves, and reflect on gratitude and legacy.

This weekend’s rhythm—joyful honor today, tender remembrance tomorrow—is one of the year’s most human rituals. Whether you’re in a packed church, a quiet cemetery, or at home with a candle and a list of names, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day invite you to hold the living and the dead together in memory, gratitude, and hope.