Celebrate Día de los Muertos by honoring the lives of friends, relatives and loved ones who have passed away. Also called Day of the Dead, this traditional Mexican holiday starts on Oct. 31 and ends on Nov. 2.
Festivities include creating small altars at home, citywide festivals filled with processions, family altars, dance, music, costumes, face painting and food. Participate in San Diego’s Día de los Muertos events—make crafts and remember the people who have filled your life with love, wisdom and guidance. Photo Credit: Adrienne Sigeti
FREE Día de los Muertos. Dancing, family-friendly fun and more. Oct. 21, 1–5 pm. Westfield Plaza Bonita, level 2 food court, 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd. www.westfield.com
FREE Oceanside Día de los Muertos Festival. Altars, chalk ceremony and more. Oct. 22, 10 am–5 pm. Downtown Oceanside. www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
Art & Spirit: Día de los Muertos. Create a personal ofrenda with a nicho box. Oct. 27, 5 pm. $25. Ages 21 & up. Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. www.artcenter.org
FREE Day of the Dead Old Town. Altars, decorations and more. Oct. 28 & 29. San Diego Ave. www.dayofthedeadsd.com
FREE Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch Open House. The historic adobe hacienda will be dressed up with colorful decorations and a customary ofrenda table. Oct. 28, 9:30 am–2:30 pm & Oct. 29, 9:30 am–4:30 pm. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Ln., Carlsbad. www.carrillo-ranch.org
FREE Día de los Muertos Celebration. Community altar, kids craft, photo ops and more. Oct. 28, 3–8 pm. Downtown Chula Vista. https://downtownchulavista.com/events/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration
Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch Dinner and Movie. A family-friendly celebration that includes dinner, crafts for kids and the movie “Coco.” Oct. 28, 8:30 pm. $25. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carillo Ln., Carlsbad. Registration required: www.carlsbadca.gov
City Heights Día de los Muertos. Oct. 28, 10 am–5 pm. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 4455 Wightman St. www.facebook.com/CityHeightsDiaDeMuertos/
FREE Encinitas Día de los Muertos. Art exhibits, workshops and more. Oct. 29, 12–4 pm. Mira Costa College, 3333 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. www.encinitasarts.org
Día de los Muertos Festival at Mellano Farm Stand. Nov. 4-5, 10 am-4 pm. 5714 North River Rd., Oceanside. https://mellanofarmstand.com/events/
FREE Dia de los Muertos. Traditional altars, live music, family-friendly crafts, face painting and more. Nov. 1, 4–9 pm. The California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. www.artcenter.org
FREE Día de los Muertos Celebration. Terra Nova Plaza open-air shopping center will be transformed into a colorful holiday celebration with traditional altar displays, live music, dancing, sugar skull face painting, stilt walkers and more Día de los Muertos activities. Nov. 1, 7–10 pm. Terra Nova Plaza, 394 E. H St., Chula Vista. www.facebook.com/events/117385971431487
Día de los Muertos at Casa Guadalajara. Throughout Halloween weekend, Casa Guadalajara’s iconic fountain will be turned into altars for guests to enjoy. There will also be free Día de los Muertos face painting on Oct. 28 and 29 from 1-7 p.m. and performances by Casa Guadalajara’s world-class mariachi band – all in painted skeleton faces on Oct. 28 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm and Oct. 29 from 4 – 8 pm. Visit CasaGuadlajara for more info.
Looking for awesome Día de Muertos crafts and recipes for families? Visit our Día de Muertos Round-Up to learn how to make calacas crafts, ofrendas, alebrijes, nichos and more.
Updated: October 2023
