Día de los Muertos Commemorated for Thousands of Years in the Americas
By Brent E. Beltrán
Los días de los muertos have been commemorated for thousands of years in the Americas. It started in what is now México and has spread throughout the United States and the world. Today these days are celebrated by people of many different colors and cultures.
November 1 is Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) when deceased children are honored and November 2 is known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) where we pay tribute to adults who have passed away. These dates correspond with the Christian holidays of All Saints’ Day and All Soul’s Day. Though los días de los muertos were coopted by Christianity they are not Christian holidays or celebrations. Their history can be traced back thousands of years to an Aztec festival dedicated to the goddess Mictecacihuatl.
Every year celebrations that trace back millenia are held to honor those that have passed on. These are but a few that will take place throughout San Diego.
Oct 26 – 1-5pm – FREE
Dia De Los Muertos 2013
Join The Roots Factory as they celebrate dia de los muertos with a free community screen print workshop featuring limited edition designs by Jaclyn Rose, Spenser Little, Waistknot Wantnot, Pandemic, Lord Zep and Gregory Laguna. Community altar, art, music, and food for all ages.
The Roots Factory
1978 Main St. (in the alley next to Ryan Bros.)
Oct 26 – 12-9pm – FREE
Dia de Los Muertos at La Vista Memorial Park
Each year, La Vista Memorial Park hosts a Dia de los Muertos celebration that is one of the largest community events in the South Bay. The objective of the event is to educate the community about why it is celebrated and to provide an authentic venue so this ancient tradition can be genuinely celebrated, observed and preserved for years to come. Altar contest, music by La Santa Cecilia, Cumbia Machin and others, food, arts and craft vendors
La Vista Memorial Park
3191 Orange St. in National City
Oct 26 – 5:30-10pm – $40
Noche de Mole Celebration & Silent Auction
Join the Historic Barrio District for the 19th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration’s Opening Reception. The highlight of the evening is the delicious variety of mole sauces, a traditional Mexican cuisine that is also a common offering during día de los muertos. The event also features live entertainment, a silent auction, and a preview of the community altars before they are open to the public.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
Oct 26 – 8pm-1:30am – FREE
Dia de los Muertos Art Show
El Zarape Mexican Restaurant & Tequileria and Talento Hispano proudly present a Dia de los Muertos Art Group Show featuring work by Mario Torero, Enrique Chiu Arte, Joni Nunez, Maya Ramirez-Schwarz, Roma Sanchez, Fabiana Foca, Noemi Salvador, Guadalupe Reyes, Roberto Rios, Jorge Piña, Hortencia Guerra, Mara Lopez-Godoy, Marisol De Las Casas and more. Dress up and paint your faces dia de los muertos style for an evening of art, music, delicious Mexican cuisine and drinks.
El Zarape Mexican Restaurant & Tequileria
3201 Adams Ave.
Oct 26 – 8pm-2am – $7 — 21+
Resurrecciòn III
Arte Fresca and Konstant Be present their 3rd annual Dìa de los Muertos art & music event. This year over twenty amazing local artists have created work on hand-crafted wooden crosses. Sounds and live music will be provided by The Melaza Underground, Lillian LeFranc, Viva Apollo & Restoration One. Live Dia de los Muertos face painting by Elizabeth Pina & Noemi Salvador; live painting by artists Danny Peralta, Hill Young & Arek Art; and vendors Ceci Punch Designs, La Chica Boutique & Stephanie Rodriguez.
The Merrow (formerly the Ruby Room)
1271 Universty Ave
Oct 27 – 10am-5pm – FREE
Dia de los Muertos at Old Mission San Luis Rey
Celebrate dia de los muertos in north county San Diego at the Mission San Luis Rey. Featuring food, arts and crafts vendors, a car show, catrina contest and more.
Old Mission San Luis Rey
4050 Mission Ave. in Oceanside
Oct 28-Nov 8 – 10am-7pm – FREE
Indoor & Community Altar Exhibition
The Historic Barrio District’s annual Sherman Heights Community Center Dia de los Muertos Altar Exhibit is open to the public.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
Oct 30, Nov 1-3 – 7:30pm – $10-$12
Journey of the Skeletons
“Journey of the Skeletons” is an award-winning multicultural comedic play, written by Max Branscomb and directed by Hector Rivera, that explains the beautiful day of the dead tradition. Plus, art curated by Voz Alta Project Gallery and live music every night.
10th Ave. Theater
930 10th Ave.
For tickets go here.
Oct 31 – 10:30am – FREE
Dia de los Muertos Altars and Historical Presentations
Watch City College students build their altars and sit in on a presentation by professor Kathleen Robles as she discusses the history of this cultural tradition with slides of her journeys throughout Mexico.
San Diego City College
1313 Park Blvd.
Nov 1 – 4-9pm – FREE
Dia de los Muertos Panteon Fronterizo
Casa Familiar presents their annual dia de los muertos event featuring Ramón Amezcua (Bostich of Nortec Collective) plus Ballet Folklorico Casa Familiar, Mariachi Diamante, Danza Mexicayotl and altars, vendors food and art.
San Ysidro Civic Center & Park
212 W. Park Ave.
Nov 1 – 5-8pm – FREE
Day of the Dead at Liberty Station
For the first time Liberty Station will be celebrating dia de los muertos. There will be live music by Cantua, face painters, altar building, art, workshops, refreshments and more. Guests are invited to join in creating and learning about community altars and dia de los muertos traditions.
NTC Arts & Culture District at Liberty Station
2640 Historic Decatur Rd.
Nov 1 – 6-9pm – FREE
Annual Muertos Candlelight Procession
The Historic Barrio District invites you to participate in the Annual Muertos Candlelight Procession from the Sherman Heights Community Center to Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. Guests are encouraged to bring a candle and/or pictures of departed loved ones as you march in their memory. Dia de los muertos face painting and/or costumes highly encouraged. Procession begins at sundown.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
Nov 1 – 6-9pm – FREE
Dia de los Muertos – Day of the Dead
Día de los Muertos is a time to gather family and friends to celebrate the lives of those who have passed. First presented in 1995, this community celebration is an annual tradition at the Center. You are invited to participate by creating your own memorial in remembrance of loved ones while enjoying live music, entertainment, crafts and traditional Mexican fare.
California Center for the Arts Escondido
340 North Escondido Blvd
Nov 1 – 6-10pm – FREE
1st Annual Queering Dia de los Muertos
The Hillcrest Youth Center and Castle Park High School present their 1st Annual Queering Dia de los Muertos for gay and lesbian youth and their straight allies. There will be art, music, altars, food, and a Glow-in-the-Dark dance.
Castle Park High School
1395 Hilltop Dr. in Chula Vista
Nov 1&2 – 10am-8pm
Saints, Souls & Style
Bazaar del Mundo will transform its shops into a walkable trail of altars, complete with traditional sugar skulls, handmade papier-mâché decorations and special Day of the Dead-inspired clothing and crafts. Guest artists will sell jewelry, accessories, prints and cards promoting the holiday. Music will be performed by Latin American folk band Tinku.
Bazaar del Mundo
4133 Taylor St.
Nov 1&2 – 1-9pm – FREE
Old Town San Diego’s Dia de los Muertos
The Save Our Heritage Organisation presents Día de los Muertos in Old Town with free Tour of the Altars, colorful, personalized altars to deceased loved ones; historic figures or political statements, a public candlelight procession to El Campo Santo Cemetery; and a commemoration of the death 100 years ago of José Guadalupe Posada, the Mexican artist most closely associated with this holiday. For the full program of activities visit here.
Old Town
Nov 2 – 12-9pm
Dia de los Muertos 2013
The Centro Cultural de la Raza presents a full day of programing with workshops and vendors during the day, an authentic procession through Balboa Park at twilight and a muertos themed live altar fashion show. Afterwards, stick around and rock out to the Muertos DJs and cash bar.
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd.
Nov 2 – 9am-2pm
Desayuno con los Muertos
The Historic Barrio District presents a community breakfast in memory of those who have passed away. Menu includes menudo, tamales, champurrado, aguas frescas, café de olla, pan de muertos and more. Cost varies by item. Their Dia de los Muertos Tiendita will be open from 9am-7pm.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
Nov 2 – 6-10pm – $25, $55, $75
Dia de los Muertos Celebration Dinner
Gather with family and friends at Suzie’s Farm for a dia de los muertos celebration to remember those who have passed. Chefs have been invited from San Diego and Baja to prepare traditional Mexican dishes. Bring remembrances to place at our main altar to commemorate your loved ones. This dia de los muertos celebration will be a family fiesta with tickets available for adults and children to benefit the Front Burner Fund and Kitchen Commandos, two great, local non-profit organizations helping the food community.
The Grove at Suzie’s Farm
2570 Sunset Ave.
Nov 3 – 10am-6pm – FREE
Muertos Festival
Guests will experience the blessing of the altars, ceremonial opening by danza azteca group, and a day of festivities including: ballet folklórico, food, shopping, altar tours, workshops and more. Organized by the Historic Barrio District.
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave.
Anna Daniels says
Wow Brent- this is one awesome onda. Thanks.
Brent Beltran says
Thanks. The google machine helped me compile them.
Shelley Plumb says
What an impressive list. I notice that La Santa Cecilia is playing at La Vista Memorial Park in National City. They are a wonderful group from L.A. that everyone should hear! According to their website, they go on at 8 p.m. Check them out! You can go to YouTube and pull up some of their music. I wouldn’t have known without this list, Bent. Thank you!
Brent Beltran says
They’re a great band. Grammy nominated. Glad you enjoyed the list of events.
Elsa Benitez says
I am SO bummed that I am barely now finding out about these neighborhood activities, and I live in Logan Heights. It seems to me that events that are held in our neighborhood are not very well publicized. I am glad that I got on the internet to research events for day of the dead celebrations for today. I would appreciate any info on how to be in the know about community events in our area. All events that I have ever attended have been because I have accidentally seen them driving on the 5 south or driving by Chicano or Memorial park. I would love to support any of our community events. Glad that I found this on the internet!
Brent Beltran says
I post different Barrio Logan events through my Twitter account @desdelalogan and I write about Logan area events through my column here called Desde la Logan. Many Barrio Logan area venues have Facebook pages and/or Twitter accounts: The Roots Factory, Voz Alta Project, Chicano Park, Strongehold, Glashaus, Bread & Salt, San Diego Public Market, and Ryan Bros. This is the best way to find out what is going on. These groups don’t have money to advertise their stuff so they use social media to get the word out.