The Mexican holiday of Día de los Muertos fondly remembers loved ones who have died. Celebrate at these local community gatherings:
- Downtown Oceanside’s Día de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will feature a car show and chalk cemetery where you can memorialize a loved one.
- Otay Ranch Town Center in the South Bay will host a Day of the Dead community altar Friday, Oct. 27-Thursday, Nov. 2, where the public can place flowers in honor of their loved ones.
- Downtown Chula Vista will host its Día de los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 28, 3-8 p.m., featuring live performances, food vendors, and an altar — aka ofrenda — competition.
- Casa Guadalajara and Bazaar del Mundo in Old Town will offer face painting on Saturday, Oct. 28 + Sunday, Oct. 29, 1-7 p.m., plus mariachi, art, and an elaborate altar in the courtyard.
- Barrio Logan’s Espírítu de Xochímílco on Sunday, Oct. 29, 12-7 p.m., will include family-friendly workshops, food vendors, a “Coco” screening, and live entertainment.
- Encinitas’ celebration on Sunday, Oct. 29, 12-4 p.m., at Mira Costa College’s San Elijo Campus will include ballet folklorico dancers, mariachi, sugar skull decorating, face painting, and art-making workshops.
- Mid-City’s Camino de las Almas at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, will feature face painting, mariachi, and a procession down El Cajon Boulevard.
- Old Town San Diego will host its sundown candlelight procession along San Diego Avenue on Thursday, Nov. 2, ending at El Campo Santo Cemetery.
