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 virtual and in-person 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
Día de los Muertos Celebration. The San Diego Symphony presents an evening honoring Latinx music and culture, and memorializing those who have passed on. Oct. 30, 6 pm. Starting at $20. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way. www.theshell.org
FREE Sugar Skulls. Learn how to make Sugar Skulls with artists from Back from Tomboctou. For ages 5–11. Oct. 18, 5–6 pm. Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library, 5148 Market St. https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/event/create-it-sugar-skulls-back-tomboctou
FREE Oceanside Dia de los Muertos Festival. Altars, chalk cemetery, kids activities and more. Oct. 23, 10 am–5 pm. Downtown Oceanside. www.friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org
Dia de los Muertos at Guajome Adobe. Altars, arts & crafts and more. Oct. 29, 10 am–4 pm. $2–$4; 3 & under free. 2210 N. Santa Fe Ave., Vista. www.sdparks.org
FREE Dia de los Muertos Old Town. Altars, face painting, crafts and more. Oct. 29, 30 & Nov. 2. Details: www.dayofthedeadsd.com
FREE Encinitas Dia de los Muertos. Ballet folklorico dancers, Mariachi bands and more. Oct. 29, 12–4 pm. Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Dr. www.encinitasarts.org
FREE City Heights Day of the Dead Celebration. Oct. 29, 11 am-6 pm. The annual celebration features live entertainment, raffles and more. Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. www.cityheightsba.org/event/city-heights-day-of-the-dead-celebration/
FREE Día de los Muertos Celebration at Westfield Plaza Bonita. Enjoy Aztec dancers, Mariachi band, meet-and-greets with Coco characters, face painting and more. Oct. 29, 1-5 pm. 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd., National City. www.westfield.com/en-US/plazabonita/event-detail/D%C3%ADa-de-Los-Muertos-Celebration
FREE 27th Annual Día de los Muertos. Community altars, Aztec dance performances, craft tables, DJ, artisan craft market and more. Nov. 1, 3 pm. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. www.artcenter.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos-2/#attend
FREE Downtown Chula Vista Día de los Muertos. Stroll along Third Avenue and take in ofrendas, bites and music. Guests can choose from two different options: La Ofrenda, a ticketed portion that gives guests the chance to sample a variety of samples from local businesses and redeem special discounts throughout the night, and Treats & Sweets, a free, family-friendly option where kids can wander through participating businesses to collect goodies. Oct. 28, 5:30-9:30 pm. 353 3rd Ave., Chula Vista. https://thirdavenuevillage.com/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration/
Día de Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration. Oct. 30, 11:30 am–1:30 pm. Copley Plaza, Balboa Park. https://www.theoldglobe.org/arts-engagement/axis
Camino de Almas. Altars, face painting, calavera giveaways, treats, music and family fun. Nov. 2, 4:30 pm. Procession from El Borrego Restaurant, 6:30 pm.
Muertos Candlelight Procession. Candlelight Procession in honor of our ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. Join the procession from the Centro Cultural de la Raza or Sherman Heights Community Center. Please remember that the procession is a sacred and spiritual event, we appreciate all participants demonstrating the utmost respect for the altars and the preservation of our cultural heritage. The procession will be guided by Calpulli Mexihca and Danza Cuatlicue. Nov. 2, 5-9:30 pm. Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Avenue. www.facebook.com/events/500994401568915
Dia de los Muertos Self-Guided Altar Tours. View the collection of altars at the Sherman Heights Community Center from October 17-Nov. 2. Mon-Fri., 2-6 pm. Saturdays, 11 am-3 pm. Closed Sundays. Nov. 2, extended hours from 3-10 pm. Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Avenue. www.facebook.com/events/1239150793605211/1239150833605207
National City's Dia de los Muertos Festival. Join us for a Día de los Muertos Festival at the Kimball Bowl! We'll be setting up a community altar and a stage with live performances and music throughout the evening. Check out the amazing artwork that our teen youth artists have been working hard on. Enjoy performances, crafts, a book giveaway, and Ofrenda-making together! Nov. 4, 5-8:30 pm. Kimball Bowl, 148 E. 12th St., National City. www.facebook.com/CityofNationalCity
Looking for awesome Dia de Muertos crafts and recipes for families? Visit our Dia de Muertos Round-Up to learn how to make calacas crafts, ofrendas, alebrijes, nichos and more.
Updated: October 2022
