Día de Los Muertos in Sacramento County
From Rancho Cordova to Elk Grove, there are many ways for you and your family to celebrate Día de Los Muertos!
What is Día de Los Muertos?
Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a cultural holiday observed on November 1st and 2nd. It originated and is predominantly observed in Mexico and many Latinx communities—specifically Central Americans. Día de Los Muertos celebrates life and death by reuniting family members who are alive and those that have passed.
What makes Día de Los Muertos different than Halloween?
While Halloween’s origins are from the ancient Celtic festival Samhain, Día de Los Muertos is a two-day holiday starting at midnight on November 1st. November 1st – known as Día de Los Angelitos—is when the spirits of deceased children reunite with their families at the altar created for them. The ceremonies shift to remember the lives of the departed adults at midnight the next day: Día de Los Difuntos. The grand finale is noon until the next day: Día de Los Muertos (Spirits of all the dead), where the public celebrates together with masks and parades. You can also read this guide for more details on Día de Los Muertos.
Here are some ways you can celebrate Día de los Muertos:
1. Día de Los Muertos at Sacramento Children's Museum
The Sacramento Children’s Museum is hosting a two-day celebration of Día de Los Muertos! On Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, you and your family can help decorate the community-driven altar built outside the Museum. On the last day of their event, you can make a sugar skull!
2. Día de Los Muertos Exhibition at the California Museum
Visit the California Museum Oct. 14-Nov. 5 for "Mujeres Inspiradoras: Día de Los Muertos 2022" (Inspiring Women: Day of the Dead 2022). While admiring original artwork from artists like Sonya Fe, Lila Solorzano Rivera and Willow Vielguth,, you will be able to celebrate the Mexican cultural tradition by remembering your loved one(s) at the exhibition’s Community Altar.
Get your tickets here!
3. El Panteón de Sacramento
El Panteón de Sacramento is the Latino Center of Art and Culture’s free annual event where you can experience the beauty of this cultural holiday. Don’t miss out on Sacramento’s biggest Día de Los Muertos celebration! Enjoy the food, drinks, local art & crafts from vendors—let’s not forget about the live music. Learn more about the event here.
4. Festival of the Souls
Meet us halfway in Elk Grove for the Festival of the Souls hosted by Mystical Celtic Heart on Oct. 29! This festival features all the cultural festivals for you to remember and honor your dearly departed loved ones. Festival of the Souls is another free event for the community to come together with food, entertainment, music, activities, and more! Learn more about the event here.
5. Day of the Dead 5K
Celebrate history, culture, and family by running the Day of the Dead 5K in Fair Oaks. Scheduled for Oct. 29, the event will feature live music, tamales, hot chocolate and a finisher festival to celebrate the holiday and your accomplishment. For more information about the event, go here.
5. Make an altar
Making your altar or ofrenda (offering) is a fun way for you and your family to bond and incorporate another cultural tradition with your own. The essential items you will need are photos of loved ones and their favorite things, calaveras (skulls), food, flowers, and papel picado, colorful tissue paper with cut-out shapes. You can buy most of these items on Amazon or your local store!
You will typically see calaveras de azucar (sugar skulls) where the smaller skulls represent children, and the larger skulls are typically for adults. Traditionally, you and your family would place cempasuchitl/marigolds on your altar to guide spirits back to their altar. If you want to shop local for marigolds, call Morningside Florist in Rancho Cordova for a special order.
For more inspiration, read this article on the different items you can place on your altar!
