Old Town San Diego State Historic Park Hosts Día de los Muertos Celebration from Oct. 31–Nov. 2
Contact:
Alexandra Latona, Interpreter III
(916) 936-3579
Visitors can experience a unique Día de los Muertos for all ages at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
SAN DIEGO — Traditional ofrendas (altars), folkloric dancers, vibrant public parades, face paintings, colorful sugar skullsand thousands of marigolds will be part of the celebration for Día de los Muertos at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park (SHP) from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. California State Parks, the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce and the Boosters of Old Town invite visitors of all ages to this free, family-friendly event, considered to be one of the most important holidays of the year in Mexico and other Latin American countries.
The event honors the unity of life and death andbrings the holiday’s traditions to life through hands-on crafts, community altars, local artwork, historical experiences, live performances and more. New this year, visitors can also enjoy special art exhibitions exploring the imagery and symbolism of Día de los Muertos. The three-day celebrationis presented with support from the Boosters of Old Town, the Old Town Chamber of Commerce and community partners.
WHAT: Día de los Muertos celebration
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
WHERE: Old Town San Diego SHP is located on San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street in San Diego, next to the Old Town Transit Center, with Coaster, Trolley,
and MTS bus service. Free parking is available at the Caltrans headquarters, just two blocks from the park at 2994 Sunset Street.
The event will kick off with live music on the main stage.Visitors are encouraged to:
- Bring an item to place at one of our community altars.
- Leave a message in the monarch butterfly grove in memory of family, friends and pets.
- Get creative at hands-on art stations by making papel picado, sugar skulls and paper marigolds.
- Visit historic community altars honoring the families and individuals who shaped Old Town throughout the decades.
- Witness a candlelit procession on Monday evening that will start at 6 p.m. and travel from Twiggs Street to El Campo Santo Cemetery. Families are invited to gather at the Plaza de Armas or along the procession route to watch.
Art will also play a central role in this year’s celebration. Two temporary art installations inside the U.S. House Museum will showcase fashion and artwork inspired by La Catrina, an internationally recognized symbol of Día de los Muertos. The installations will be presented with support from the Boosters of Old Town, the California Arts in Parks program, and the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce.At the Captain Fitch Museum, a separate exhibition presented by the San Diego Unified School District will featurestudent artwork exploring the holiday’s imagery and traditions while offering a glimpse at how a new generation is carrying those traditions forward.
Come be part of a celebration that brings together art, tradition, remembrance and community.
Please Note: Dogs are allowed on leash in outdoor areas within the historic park, but not inside museums or buildings. Service animals are welcome per California State Parks' Service Animals Policy.
California State Parks supports equal access. If you need reasonable modification or special accommodation for the event, please email oldtown.sandiego@parks.ca.gov.
About Old Town San Diego SHP
Old Town San Diego SHP presents the opportunity to experience the history of early San Diego by providing a connection to the past.Through museum exhibitions, restored historic buildings, living history demonstrations and special events, the park offers a glimpse at the converging cultures that transformed San Diego from a Kumeyaay village to a Mexican pueblo to an American Settlement.Restored and reconstructed buildings in the park are now museums,shops, and restaurants. Visitors can also experience a working blacksmith shop, enjoy music, see or touch the park's burros, and engage in activities that represent early San Diego.
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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.