Celebrate Día de los Muertos 2026 with your family
From Seaside to San Juan Bautista, communities around Monterey Bay are marking Día de los Muertos with ofrendas, folklórico, mariachi and processions, and most events are free and welcome kids.
Día de los Muertos, observed November 1 and 2, is a Mexican tradition that honors loved ones who have died. Families build ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigolds, papel picado, candles, favorite foods and photos. It is a celebration of life and memory, not a sad occasion, and kids can take part by making crafts, adding a photo or learning a dance.
Here is where to celebrate this year, in date order. Tap any event name for full details in our calendar.
This weekend: October 23–25
Ofrenda Arts and Crafts Night, Seaside
Friday, October 23 · Oldemeyer Center, Hilby Avenue, Seaside
Families can make papel picado and paint picture frames to prepare for the community ofrenda. A light dinner and all supplies are provided. Bring a photo of a loved one who has passed away. Hosted by Peninsula Parents Coalition.
Santa Cruz Día de los Muertos, Santa Cruz
Saturday, October 24, 12–3 PM · Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Front Street
Senderos leads music and dance performances, with hands-on activities and live music through the afternoon. Walk the museum to see altares created by local community organizations.
Día de los Muertos at Castro Adobe State Historic Park, Watsonville
Sunday, October 25, 10:30 AM–3 PM · 184 Old Adobe Road, Watsonville
The park hosts a community open house with live music, family activities and local traditions. Estrellas de Esperanza performs folklórico at noon. Docents lead visitors through the 176-year-old adobe, one of California’s best-preserved two-story adobes from the Mexican Rancho period.
Día de los Muertos at Monterey Sports Center, Monterey
Sunday, October 25, 5–8 PM · 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey · Free
This free community celebration features Aztec dancers, a mariachi band, folklórico dancers, face painting and a costume contest. Warm up with pan dulce and hot chocolate.
November 1 and beyond
Día de los Muertos Community Altar, Marina
Photos due by November 1; altar on display November 1–12 · Marina Branch Library, Seaside Circle
Add your family’s memories to the library’s annual community altar. Bring a framed photo of a loved one or pet who has passed away by November 1, and pick it up by November 12. Questions: 831-883-7507.
Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, Seaside
Sunday, November 1, 12–3 PM · Oldemeyer Center, Hilby Avenue, Seaside
Help set up the community ofrenda with Peninsula Parents Coalition. For details, contact Cinthia at cinthischw@actioncouncil.org.
Día de los Muertos Celebration at Santana Row, San Jose
Sunday, November 1, 10:30 AM–6 PM · 377 Santana Row, San Jose · Free
Worth the drive for a full day out: face painting, Catrina and Catrín meet-and-greets, mariachi music, crafts and a pop-up market.
Watsonville Día de los Muertos, Watsonville
Sunday, November 1, 4–9 PM · Callaghan Park, 225 Sudden Street, Watsonville
See community altars, live music and dance, and hands-on family activities, plus a market.
Día de los Muertos in San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista
Sunday, November 1, 4:30–9 PM · California State Parks Lawn, 19 Franklin Street, San Juan Bautista
An evening of entertainment that includes a procession and a blessing.
El Teatro Campesino’s Día de los Muertos, San Juan Bautista
[DATE, TIME] · El Teatro Campesino, San Juan Bautista
El Teatro Campesino has led Día de los Muertos processions through San Juan Bautista since founder Luis Valdez moved the company there in 1972. The celebration typically includes family art-making workshops, altar exhibits in the Playhouse, performances by the folklórico group Esperanza del Valle and the procession through town.
Tips for families
- Bring a photo. Several events invite you to add a picture of a loved one to a shared altar. Talking about who they were is a gentle way to introduce kids to the tradition.
- Make something at home. Papel picado, paper marigolds and sugar-skull coloring pages are easy projects for a family ofrenda.
- Plan for evening chill. Watsonville and San Juan Bautista run after dark, so pack layers and a flashlight for little ones.
- Be respectful at altars. Remind kids to look but not touch the ofrendas and the items families have placed there.
For more Día de los Muertos, Halloween and fall events, visit the Monterey Bay Parent events calendar.
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