Día de Los Muertos is a Mexican tradition spanning more than 3,000 years!
Día de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead is a Holiday about honoring our loved ones who have passed away. Traditions include making altars for the dead and adorning them with their favorite foods, and drinks. Marigolds or cempazúchitl are the popular flower of the season and brighten up homes and cemeteries alike. This day is about celebrating the lives lived by those we loved and enjoy from friends and family!
Sherman Heights Día de los Muertos
From October 26 to the 30, celebrate the lives of the departed at Sherman Heights’ Día de Los Muertos. The colorful and joyous celebration of life and death will entertain the whole family. There will be an official altar blessing, live performances, food, and more fun!
Location: 2258 Island Ave San Diego, CA 92102
Chula Vista Third Avenue Village’s Dia de Los Muertos
This October 29, take in all the Mexican celebrations along Third Avenue. You’ll see typical ofrendas, which are offerings to the dead, along with celebratory music and delicious food!
Location: 353 Third Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
California Center of the Arts Escondido’s Annual Día de Los Muertos
The CCAE’s Annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration is a tradition that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed. This Saturday, October 30, starting at 2 pm, you can take part in the traditional Mexican festivities of Day of the Dead. There will be festive mariachi music from the Mariachi Del Mar, offerings for the altar of the departed, a fabulous vintage car exhibit, and delicious tamales and hot chocolate! Be sure to arrive on time, so the tamales and cocoa don’t run out!
Location: 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido, CA 92025
City Heights Día de los Muertos
On October 30, celebrate the lives of those who have passed at the City Heights Día de Los Muertos. The festivities begin at 11 am and last until 7 pm. You can enjoy a range of Mexican traditions. There will be community altars, face painting, mask making, and prizes for the best catrina!
Location: 3795 Fairmount Ave, San Diego, CA 92105
8th Annual Encinitas Día de Los Muertos Celebration
Celebrate life and death with festive live performances, artistic workshops, delicious food trucks, and so much at Encinitas Día de Los Muertos! This family-friendly “Day of the Dead” festival includes performances by some of the best Latin talent in San Diego. The workshops will be a blast for anyone who likes getting crafty! The live Mariachi music is the perfect way to get in the celebratory mood! The festival will take place in the Encinitas Community Center.
Location: 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Old Town Día de los Muertos
On October 30 and November 2, the celebration of Día de Los Muertos continues in Old Town. On October 30, there will be a Mercado del Arte and a Procesión to the Cemetery on November 2.
Location: San Diego Avenue – Old Town San Diego, San Diego, CA 92110
Ofrenda: A Día de los Muertos Celebration
On Halloween day, pay tribute to the dead with a fabulous musical extravaganza! The Balley Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar teamed up to bring us Oferenda! This unique show celebrates Mexico’s Día de Los Muertos with dances and music from different regions. Some of those are “La Bruja” from Veracruz, “Retablo Purépecha” from Michoacán. There will also be fantastic music from the Disney movie Coco! The tickets start at $25, and the show lasts from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Location: 200 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
Carrera de los Muertos San Diego
After all the tamales and hot cocoa, you better mark your calendar because, on November 7, there’s a 5k run along downtown San Diego Bay! This run will continue the Dia de Los Muertos festivities in a slightly more active way. The beautiful scenic route and festive mariachi music will motivate you and make this a fun 5K run. If that weren’t enough, at the finish line, you will be met by a bounty of food and more fun!
Location: 585 Harbor Lane, San Diego, CA 92101
Featured image: Shutterstock