It is time for Día de Los Muertos in Old Town San Diego! This pre-Hispanic tradition originated in Mexico and pays tribute to loved-ones who have passed away. The holiday is celebrated with uniquely decorated ofrendas (altars), elaborate costumes and face-painting, and time spent with family and friends.
2024 Dates
Friday, November 1
4:00 PM- 7:00 PM - Crafts for the kids- Sugar Skull Making, Papel Picado, Make Butterflies for the Community Altar
7:00 PM - Free Movie in the Park- "The Book of Life"
Saturday, November 2
11:00 AM- 8:00 PM- Shop at the Dia De Los Muertos Mercado on Twiggs and Harney Street
11:00 AM- 6:00 PM- Watch Live Performances on the Dia De Los Muertos Stage
- 11:00-Welcome
- 11:30- Ballet Folklorico
- 12:00- Mariachi Cali
- 1:00- Alicia Leon
- 2:00- Bilingual Story Time- San Diego Public Library
- 3:00- 2nd Annual Catrina Contest
- 4:00- Danza Azteca
- 5:00- Musicians
11:00 AM- 6:00 PM- In the State Historic Park- https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=31340
19th Century Magic Lantern Shows | Seeley Stable Theatre
Travel back in time with Matt Schnittker for a fantastical Halloween 19th century magic lantern show. Shows are 15-20 minutes.
Hands-On Art | Plaza de Armas
Altares de muertos (altars of the dead) are works of art that incorporate statuary, seed art, flowers, sugar skulls, hand-cut paper, and more. Learn from California State Park’s how to create Seed Art inspired by traditional seed art found on altares de muertos and cut your own brightly colored papel picado to hang at your altare at home.
Sugar Skull Workshops with Sugar Skull Artist Carolina Celaya | Plaza de Armas
Making sugar skulls is an indigenous Dia de Los Muertos tradition of Mexico. Decorate a hand-made sugar skull in honor of a loved one who has passed. This workshop is appropriate for all ages. Skulls are for decoration purposes and not for consumption. This workshop is a $10 material fee.
6:00PM- Line up along San Diego Ave. to watch the Dia De Los Muertos Procession
All day go into any of the wonderful retailers and restaurants around Old Town- Thank you to the following sponsors: Casa de Freds, Casa Guadalajara, Cafe Coyote, Bazaar del Mundo, Don Pietro, El Centro Artesano, El Sueno, Fiesta de Reyes, Hacienda Hotel, Old Town Mexican Restaurant, Old Town Trolley, The Whaley House Museum, Rockin’ Baja Lobster, TAKO, Tequila Factory, Western Inn, and Bonehead Burgers.
Sunday, November 3
11:00 AM- 6:00 PM- Shop at the Dia De Los Muertos Mercado on San Diego Ave. and Harney Street.
11:00 AM- 3:00 PM- Watch Live Performances on the Dia De Los Muertos Stage
- 11:00-Welcome
- 12:00- Mariachi Cali
- 1:00- City Heights Music School- Mariachi
- 2:00- Bilingual Story Time- San Diego Public Library
- 2:30- Old Town Charro
11:00 AM- 3:00 PM
- 19th Centurty Magic Lantern Show
- Sugar Skull Making
- Seed Art, Calligraphy, Papel Picado Workshop
All day go into any of the wonderful retailers and restaurants around Old Town- Thank you to the following sponsors: Casa de Freds, Casa Guadalajara, Cafe Coyote, Bazaar del Mundo, Don Pietro, El Centro Artesano, El Sueno, Fiesta de Reyes, Hacienda Hotel, Old Town Mexican Restaurant, Old Town Trolley, The Whaley House Museum, Rockin’ Baja Lobster, TAKO, Tequila Factory, Western Inn, and Bonehead Burgers.
Experience San Diego's finest Día de Los Muertos celebration! Take a tour of more than 40 unique ofrendas. Bring the family for amazing art and activities in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and stroll a fabulous street market for treasures. Watch a free screening of "The Book of Life" under the stars. Join our annual candlelit procession or enter to win the Catrina Contest. Learn more below!
Día de Los Muertos Events & Activities 2024
Ofrenda (Altar) Tours
Community-Wide Self-Guided Tours
Stroll through the historic streets of Old Town at your own pace, discovering beautifully crafted altars created by local businesses and museums.
Self-guided tours of all Old Town altars will be published continuously as altars are set-up.
State Park Guided Tours
Join us in celebrating lives and legacies of Old Town San Diego’s historic families on a guided 45-minute tour through the State Park's multiple altars.
Tours are provided FREE by California State Parks, and begin at the Robinson Rose Visitor Center. Tours are held at 11am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays through November 2. Prior registration required.
Weekend Mercado
Shop amazing art and crafts on Saturday, November 2 & Sunday, November 3, 2024 along San Diego Avenue and Harney Street. Featuring Día de Los Muertos must-haves and fine crafts, this exciting event will include activities for the whole family!
Interested in being a vendor? Learn more by clicking HERE.
State Historic Park: Art & Activities
Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to explore our historic museums, showcasing altares de muertos created by local artists honoring influential Old Town citizens. Engage in hands-on activities and sign up for a sugar skull painting workshop (additional material fee applies).
"The Book of Life": Free Outdoor Showing
Summer Movies in the Park & the County of San Diego are delighted to present a free community screening of the beloved film "The Book of Life" in the Plaza de Armas (Old Town San Diego State Historic Park) on Friday, November 1, at 7pm.
Gather with friends and family for a heartwarming cinematic experience under the stars!
La Experiencia at Fiesta de Reyes
Visit Fiesta de Reyes from October 1 through November 3 to enjoy the wonder of La Experiencia! Featuring professional face painters, captivating art demonstrations, live entertainment, and both traditional and contemporary altars on display. Wander through this charming plaza in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park on Thursday through Sunday for live mariachi music and beautiful folklorico dancers.
Live Music
As the vibrant celebration of Día de Los Muertos unfolds, the air will be filled with the enchanting melodies of live music. Prepare to be entertained by a lineup of talented musicians and dancers, each adding their unique flavor to this culturally rich event all weekend long!
Annual Procession
Experience our candlelit procession after sunset on Saturday, November 2, starting at Immaculate Conception Church with blessings and traditional dances by Danza Azteca Atlachinolli. The procession will travel down San Diego Avenue to El Campo Santo Cemetery. Kick off at 6:00pm.
Travel to Día de los Muertos Events
Driving? There is plenty of free parking at the CalTrans Parking Lot at 4050 Taylor Street available on evenings after 5pm and all day on Saturdays and Sundays. Check out the Parking Map for more information on additional parking options.
Want to avoid traffic? Take transit! Old Town Transit Center serves San Diego MTS Blue & Green Line Trolleys and local bus lines; North County Transit Coaster commuter trains; Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains; UCSD "Campus to Hillcrest" shuttle; USD "Campus to Old Town" shuttle.
Thank you to our Sponsors & Contributors!
