Remembering the dead: San Diego celebrates loved ones through Día de los Muertos festivities
Festivals, processions and community altars help community members honor the holiday across the county.
Written by Lauren J. Mapp, Edited by Maya Srikrishnan
It’s almost time for Día de los Muertos, the multiday celebration honoring loved ones who have passed on, and San Diegans can honor the occasion with gatherings, community altars and festivals.
Observed across Latin America, the holiday holds its deepest roots in Mexico.
Early Aztec forms of Día de los Muertos honored Mictēcacihuātl, Lady of the Dead, a goddess known as queen of Mictlān (the underworld). Spanish colonization blended Indigenous culture with Catholic observances of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Today, communities recognize the holiday through parades and gatherings, sharing traditional foods like pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and painting calaveras (sugar skulls). Some people dress as La Catrina, a female skeleton, or her male counterpart Catrín.
At home, people honor their loved ones by creating ofrendas (altars) to welcome deceased family and friends back to the land of the living. While each family’s ofrenda is unique, they often feature pictures, personal items, favorite foods and bright orange cempasúchiles (marigolds), known as “Flor de Muerto” (flower of the dead).
Although the main celebrations fall on the first two days of November, there are also special recognitions on the final days of October for pets on Oct. 27, those who died tragic deaths on Oct. 28, who drowned on Oct. 29, forgotten and lonely souls on Oct. 30 and unborn children Oct. 31. Nov. 1 honors children, and Nov. 2 is dedicated to adults, especially those who died from natural causes.
Over the next two weeks, communities across San Diego County will host Día de los Muertos festivals, movie nights, workshops and processions. Here are a few ways to participate in the reflection, remembrance and celebration of life.
Oct. 17
Ofrenda Tours: The Sherman Heights Community Center is offering self-guided ofrenda tours Tuesdays through Fridays. Oct. 14 - Nov. 2, closed Oct. 31, 2 - 6 p.m., Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102
Oct. 18
Mellano Farm Stand Día de los Muertos Festival: The Mellano Farm Stand is hosting a Día de los Muertos Festival with a community altar, live music, food trucks, baile folklórico performers, pumpkin patch and a corn maze. Guests can also pick their own marigolds, learn how to make floral garlands and crowns, and create infused honey. Parking is $5. Oct. 18 and 19, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 5714 N. River Rd., Oceanside, CA 92057
Oct. 19
Solana Beach Día de los Muertos Festival: La Colonia Community Foundation and the city of Solana Beach are holding a Día de los Muertos Festival with performances by MiraCosta Ballet Folklórico Club, Danza Azteca San Luis Rey, Mariachi Del Mar, Los Gringos Muertos Band and Piki Moreno Presents. The day includes a Viejitos Car Club-hosted classic car show, Catrín/a costume contest for people and pets, piñata and kids activities, food vendors, craft booths and more than 40 ofrendas honoring those who have died. Email lacoloniacommunityaltars@gmail.com for questions regarding ofrendas. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., La Colonia Park, 715 Valley Ave., Solana Beach, CA 92075
Oct. 22
¡Jovenes!: The Sherman Heights Community Center is hosting a youth celebration with ofrenda tours, food, arts, music, crafts and games. Free admission. 1:30 - 3 p.m., Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102
Oct. 23
Paper Flower Making: The Sycuan Cultural Center is hosting a workshop and potluck to discuss the history of All Souls Day and the Kumeyaay people. The event will include crepe tissue flower and floral headstone saddle making. Email sycuanculturalcenter@gmail.com for more information. 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., Sycuan Cultural Center, KCC Multipurpose Room, 910 Willow Glen Dr., El Cajon, CA 92019
Cine en Sherman: The Sherman Heights Community Center is screening “Macario,” a 1960 film Mexican film about a man who befriends Death to end his hunger. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for the outdoor film screening. Snacks can be purchased at the center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Film viewing from 7 - 8:30 p.m., Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102
Oct. 24
Flower Crown Workshop: Love of Community Arts is hosting a flower crown workshop led by Judith and Daniel Pozos at Centro Cultural de la Raza. Each attendee will make their own flower crown using the flowers of their choosing. Kids are welcome and must be accompanied by a guardian. 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Centro Cultural de la Raza, 2004 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Oct. 25
City Heights Día de los Muertos Festival: The City Heights Residents Committee is hosting a Día de los Muertos Festival with live music, altars, art, food and a best Catrina outfit contest. Free admission. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Oct. 26
Oceanside Día de Muertos Festival: Friends of Oceanside is hosting its 24th annual Día de Muertos Festival downtown next to City Hall. The festival features a Por Siempre car show, altars, chalk cemetery, vendors and live entertainment. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Oceanside City Hall, 300 N Coast Hwy, Oceanside, CA 92054
Día de Muertos Festival en Barrio Logan: All for Logan, Barrio Logan Association and San Diego Foundation are hosting the third annual Día de Muertos Festival en Barrio Logan. There will be three stages with live entertainment, food, a muertos market, free youth workshops, art installations, a lowrider showcase and ofrendas. Admission is free. 12 - 7 p.m., Barrio Logan Cultural District, National Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113
Honoring All Paws in Heaven: Mujeres Brew House is “Honoring All Paws in Heaven” with an ofrenda for pets. Paw tags and ribbon will be available during the event. Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave, San Diego, California 92113
Oct. 31
Hillcrest Community Ofrenda: A community ofrenda will be on display and available outside of the Hillcrest Business Association office. Community members are invited to stop by to reflect and place items honoring their loved ones. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 1601 University Ave., San Diego, CA 92103
Nov. 1
Old Town Día de Los Muertos: The Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is hosting its two-day Día de Los Muertos community celebration. Guests can view altars at museums throughout the park, do hands-on art activities or take a sugar skull painting workshop. Visitors may add their loved ones’ names to a hanging wooden butterfly at the Plaza de Armas community altar. There will also be a screening of the Disney film “Coco” at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and a candlelit procession at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Nov. 1 (10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), Nov. 2 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.), Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego Avenue and, Twiggs St., San Diego, CA 92110
Friendship Park Día de Muertos Altar: Friends of International Friendship Park is inviting community members to celebrate Día de Muertos at Faro de Playas de Tijuana, the beach at the Mexico-United States border. There will be a community altar at the Sierra Club Borderlands-sponsored event. They encourage people to bring art and other special items to add to the altar. Email visitmx@friendshippark.org for more information. 12 - 5 p.m., Faro de Playas de Tijuana, 22504 Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Dia de los Deftones: The sixth annual Dia de los Deftones festival at Petco Park will feature two stages with musical performances by the Deftones, Rico Nasty, Deafheaven, Clipse and more. Tickets are available online. 3:45 - 11 p.m., Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
Mujeres Brew House Día de los Muertos Celebration: The brewery is hosting a Día de los Muertos celebration with Isa’s Tamales and music by Alma Sangre. The evening includes prizes for the best dressed Catrín and Catrina with categories for kids and adults. 4 - 9 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave, San Diego, California 92113
San Ysidro Festival del Día de los Muertos: Casa Familiar is holding its Festival del Día de los Muertos at the San Ysidro Civic Center with live music, crafts, free pan and chocolate, Mexican treats and rafflers. Guests are invited to bring a small object or picture to add to the community altar. 5 - 7 p.m., San Ysidro Civic Center, 212 W. Park Ave., San Diego, CA 92173
Nov. 2
Procesión de los Muertos: Calpulli Mexihca is leading Procesión de los Muertos (Procession of the Dead) to honor deceased ancestors and loved ones at the Sherman Heights Community Center. Guests are encouraged to dress in Día de los Muertos attire and bring photos or mementos to honor their loved ones. There will be music, food and other family-friendly activities. 2 - 10 p.m., Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave., San Diego, CA 92102
Via International Día de los Muertos Community Celebration: At Mujeres Brew House, is hosting a family-friendly, Día de los Muertos community celebration. The afternoon includes interactive pop-up art booths led by Somos La Voz artists, music by the Somos La Voz Son Jarocho Youth Performance Collective and Día de los Muertos bread from the Pan y Paz Collective. Admission is free. Reserve tickets on Givebutter. 3 - 6 p.m., Mujeres Brew House, 1983 Julian Ave, San Diego, California 92113
