CALIFORNIA, USA — Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated Nov. 1 and 2 to honor the life and death of loved ones, but many start the festivities as early as October.
Originating thousands of years ago from the rituals of Indigenous people — the Olmecs, Toltecs, Mixtecs, Zapotecs, Maya, Nauhah and Aztecs — it has since blended with the Catholic and Christian observances, All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
During Día de los Muertos, the spirits of the dead return to the living world and are treated as honored guests. Loved ones welcome them home with ofrendas, or altars, that typically consist of food and beverages, photos of the deceased ones, candles and incense, water, marigolds, decorations such as skulls, and papel picado or tissue paper flowers.
The holiday is predominately held in Mexico but also celebrated elsewhere including in Northern California.
Arte Activista: Día de los Muertos at the California Museum
The exhibit features contemporary altars and artwork that explores life, love and death in honor of Día de los Muertos. Artists like Aaron Douglas Estrada, Fredo Diaz, Oscar Magallanes, Alexa Ramirez, Jackie Castillo and Susan Aparicio, dedicated their altars to Chicano artist and magazine founder David Holland (“Teen Angel”), radio DJ Art Laboe, lowrider artist Jesse Valadez, singer Jenni Rivera and artist Laura Aguilar.
Where: California Museum, 1020 O Street Sacramento, CA 95814
When: Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 to Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023
Cost: Free
For more information about the event, click HERE.
Día de los Muertos at the Camellia Memorial Lawn
The Sacramento funeral home is hosting an event to help reunite the living and the dead for Día de los Muertos. The event will be held outdoors so dress comfortably. There will be a community altar, hair braiding station, performance from Aztec dancers, as well as kids crafts, artisan and food vendors.
Where: Camellia Memorial Lawn, 10221 Jackson Road, Sacramento, CA
When: Friday, Oct. 27, 2023 from 4-8 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information about the event, click HERE.
City of Altars’ Altares del Mundo Spanish Workshop
The Latino Center of Art & Culture is offering a workshop for those wanting to learn about the many elements that go into creating an altar.
Mexican maestros, or teachers, will lead a workshop in Spanish teaching participants how to construct altars from 4 different regions in Mexico. This will be led by Vidal Beltran, Jorge Ruiz, Jorge Guerrero, Marco Sanchez, Ramon Olvera, and Gloria Torres.
Priority will be given to the first 30 individuals who sign up.
Where: Latino Center of Art & Culture, 2700 Front Street, Sacramento, CA
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 from 4-7 p.m.
Cost: Donations are welcome.
For more information about the event, click HERE.
3rd Annual ARTgrove Dia de Los Muertos Festival in Elk Grove
The event will include a community altar where attendees can bring photos of their loved ones, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts for children, an art-themed silent auction and the Duke's Car Club will be exhibiting lowriders with altars in their trunks.
The organizers encourage people to dress as Catrin/Catrina, an elegant skeletal figure popular in Mexican culture.
Where: District 56, 8230 Civic Center Dr., Elk Grove, CA
When: Sunday Oct. 29, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information about the event, click HERE.
Inaugural Dia de Los Muertos Festival in Stockton
Big Valley Ford will host its first Day of the Dead festival. It’s a family-friendly event with performances showcasing local talent, as well as exhibits and activities for all ages.
Where: Big Valley Ford, 3282 Auto Center Cir, Stockton, CA
When: Sunday Oct. 29, 2023 from 1-4 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information about the event, click HERE.
“I Love Sugar Skull” workshops at the California Museum
The workshops will teach participants how to design and decorate calaveras de azúcar, or sugar skulls, for Día de los Muertos. If you register for the workshop, it will also provide admission to all the current museum exhibits including Arte Activista: Día de los Muertos 2023.
Where: California Museum, 1020 O Street Sacramento, CA 95814
When: Sunday, Oct. 29, 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 2-3 p.m.
Cost: $15 per participant. Advance registration by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 is strongly recommended.
For more information about the event, click HERE.
48th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery
This is the oldest Dia de Los Muertos celebration in Sacramento. It was started in 1975 by the Royal Chicano Air Force, a collective of artists and community activists pivotal to the Chicano movement in the 60s and 70s.
The event will include a procession, a Catholic mass and an Indigenous ceremony with Azteca dancers. Chairs will be provided for elderly people attending while others are encouraged to bring their own.
There will also be a community altar with flowers, candles, and pictures of deceased loved ones. Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures to place on the altar.
Where: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, located at 21st Avenue and 65th
When: Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 from 12-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Day of the Dead celebration on Sutter Street
The Folsom Historic District Association will host a “magical celebration” to honor people's loved ones. The event will feature a community altar dedicated to those who has passed on and performances from Mariachi Bonitas, the region’s all-female Mariachi band and arts and crafts for kids. There will be a Catrin/Catrina costume contest too!
Where: 700 block of Historic Folsom, 905 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA 95630
When: Thursday, Nov. 3, 2023 from 5-9 p.m.
Cost: Free
For more information about the event, click HERE.
Dia De Los Muertos y Las Almas Olvidadas
Inspired by Día de los Muertos, this musical show will teach you about the rich traditions and colorful customs through a blend of classic mariachi and ballet folklórico that also interweaves original music and narrative. The unique showcase presents the story of two lovers in a war-torn country who both pass away. They traverse the underworld in their quest to reunite.
Where: Benvenuti Performing Arts Center, 4600 Blackrock Dr., Sacramento, CA
When: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2023 at 7 p.m.
Cost: General admission is $28; Children (12 and under) is $20.
For more information about the event, click HERE.
14th Annual Panteón de Sacramento
The event will feature live dance and music, community altar, artisanal vendors, traditional food, drinks and baked goods. Dance groups performing are Rincones de Mi Tierra, Victoria Dance, Nostalgias de Mexico, Palomas y Gavilanes, Ballet de Santa Helena, Diablos de Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca, Nuevo Amanecer, Lacustre Michoacan de Ocampo.
Where: Latino Center of Art & Culture, 2700 Front Street, Sacramento, CA
When: Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 from 5-8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: Free, but donations are welcome.
For more information about the event, click HERE.
Who do you want to honor during Día de los Muertos?
ABC10’s Race and Culture team would like to celebrate your loved ones who have passed away through a communal altar on our platforms. To contribute to the ofrenda, please text the keyword, "altar" to ABC10 at (916) 321-3310. Loved ones photos and how they made an impact in your life will be added to a digital gallery. We will be collecting submissions until 3 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 2.
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