Pay tribute to the deceased with these Día de los Muertos events in San Diego
Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead is a holiday to celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed. Special traditions include creating an offrenda (offering alter) decorated with bright yellow marigolds, photos, sugar skulls, and favorite foods and drinks of the dearly departed. Many festivals around San Diego offer a chance to join the celebrations with face painting, creating sugar skulls, listening to mariachi, and dancing to folkloric music while enjoying authentic Mexican food.
What Is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, originated in Mexico. Kids will recognize the colorfully decorated sugar skull as the most common symbol. Your town or neighborhood may host a celebration, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it. Did you know: Día de los Muertos holiday is actually two days, held consecutively: Nov. 1 is marked as a day to honor lost children, as well as any lost or forgotten souls. Nov. 2, Day of the Dead official, honors all lost ancestors and loved ones.
Day of the Dead Workshops & Celebrations: This Sherman Heights community-wide event takes place over the course of a few weeks with workshops on how to do face painting for Day of the Dead makeup, how to make alebrije (carved fantasy animals), and how to make floral headpieces and altar boxes. Register on their website for workshops and reserve your spot. These events lead to the actual celebration, where porches are transformed into elaborate ofrendas for deceased loved ones. These displays are open to the public so that everyone can check them out.
When: Now through Nov. 2
Cost: The festival is free while some workshops have a fee.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
San Diego
Online: shermanheightscc.org
Friends of Oceanside Día de los Muertos: Among many traditional activities offered, this vibrant event will also offer a Catrina contest, a lowrider bicycle display, and a chalk cemetery where you can write a message to a loved one. There will be food (and lemonade!), music with traditional Mexican dancers, and, perfect for the little ones, an activity area for kids. The festival takes place near Oceanside's City Hall.
When: Oct. 23; 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Downtown Oceanside
300 N. Coast Hwy.
Oceanside
Online: friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
Related: Why Oceanside Is the Laidback Vacation We All Need Right Now
Día de los Muertos at La Colonia Park in Solana Beach: Chow down a tamale as the City of Solana Beach celebrates Día De Los Muertos at the La Colonia De Eden Gardens. This year's celebration will be a tribute to ancestors who worked in the agricultural groves of Rancho Santa Fe and surrounding areas. This Day of the Dead festival has live music and decorated ofrendas as part of the cultural offerings. Moreover, enter a dog costume contest, eat authentic Mexican food and sway with the dancers.
When: Oct. 23; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
La Colonia de Eden Gardens
715 Valley Ave.
Solana Beach
Online: cityofsolanabeach.org
Third Avenue Village Chula Vista Día de los Muertos: Celebrating its 2nd year, this Downtown Chula Vista festival is a lively way to partake in the holiday and is perfect for the young ones. Alter contests, Catrin/Catrina contests, craft tables, face painting, mariachi music, and ending the evening with a Disney Pixar's "Coco" screening (bring your blankets and chairs). There will be plenty of photo opportunities around the festival, and guests are encouraged to dress up.
When: Oct. 29, 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park
373 Park Way
Chula Vista
Online: thirdavenuevillage.com
City Heights Día de los Muertos: This free event brings everyone together to celebrate Día de los Muertos. You'll find beautiful community altars, face painting, and prizes for the best catrina and catrin. There will also be dancing, singing, and music, and artisans will sell their crafts.
When: Oct. 29; 11 a.m-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park
3795 Fairmount Ave.
San Diego
Online: facebook.com
Encinitas Día de los Muertos Celebration: Twirl with the traditional folkloric dancers and cheer on Ballet Folklórico de San Dieguito. Also, little crafters get hands-on at the sugar skull-making workshops, and Day of the Dead artists paint faces with flowers, skulls, and more. Also, check out the low-rider car show by the Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club. Lastly, eat up with all kinds of choices from the food trucks.
When: Oct. 29; noon-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Encinitas Community Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Dr.
Encinitas
Online: encinitasarts.org
Day of the Dead Old Town San Diego: This community-wide commemoration honors ancestors and other deceased loved ones with special menus, music, dancing, and crafts. The celebration includes Day of the Dead sugar skull decorating, mask and paper flower making, a giant skeleton puppet and stilt walker, face painting, and much more. Immerse yourself in the culture with live music, dancing, tamale carts, mariachis, authentic food, piñatas, storytelling, complimentary Mexican hot chocolate—the list goes on and on! Don’t miss this fantastic celebration.
When: Oct. 29; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. & Oct. 30; 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Old Town San Diego
San Diego Ave.
San Diego
Online: dayofthedeadsd.com
Día de los Muertos at Rancho Guajome Adobe: This annual festival is packed full of festivities! Enjoy the Catrin & Catrina parade, try your hand at the papel picado craft table or cheer on the Ballet Folklorico performers. From live entertainment to many authentic food choices and free craft projects, plan to spend the day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Rancho Guajome Adobe County Park—admission includes a self-guided tour of the historic adobe ranch house.
When: Oct. 30; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend
2210 North Santa Fe Ave.
Vista
Online: facebook.com/events
Dia de los Muertos Festival at California Center for the Arts, Escondido: Celebrate with the community at California Center for the Arts Escondido’s annual Día de los Muertos Festival. Guests are invited to participate by making altars in honor of their loved ones in a special area created by artist Eloy Tarcisio. Enjoy music, art, ballet folklórico, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. There will also be handmade goods and food for purchase.
When: Nov. 1; 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
California Center for the Arts Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd.
Escondido
Online: artcenter.org
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