Annual Día de Los Muertos Celebration Lights Up Old Town San Diego
Old Town San Diego presents its annual Día de Los Muertos celebration, a vibrant and culturally rich event that draws thousands of visitors each year. This year’s festivities promise to be more enchanting than ever before, with a lineup of exciting activities and traditions that will captivate visitors of all ages.
The centerpiece of the celebration is the traditional candlelit procession, will take place at 6:15 p.m., Thursday, November 2, 2023. This free event, which has become a cherished tradition in our community, will commence at sundown in front of the Immaculate Conception Church, situated at the intersection of San Diego Ave and Twiggs St. The procession will wind its way down San Diego Avenue to El Campo Santo, marking the beginning of this memorable evening.
Prepare to be amazed at the Weekend Mercado where you can shop for incredible art and crafts on Saturday, October 28, and Sunday, October 29, 2023. The market hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This two-day extravaganza will be held along San Diego Avenue and Harney Street, offering visitors a unique shopping experience.
Throughout the weekend, visitors are invited to explore historic museums, showcasing altares de muertos (altars of the dead) created by local artists in honor of influential Old Town citizens. Engage in hands-on activities and sign up for a sugar skull painting workshop (additional material fee applies).
In the Plaza de Armas, San Diego artists will create chalk art celebrating the diverse communities that have shaped Old Town throughout the centuries. Activities takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, October 28, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 29. Visitors are encouraged to honor their loved ones by contributing their names to the Community Altar located in the Plaza de Armas. This project is made possible through the State of California’s Arts in Parks program, a partnership between the California Department of Parks and Recreation and the California Arts Council.
The San Diego Public Library is delighted to present a free community screening of Disney Pixar’s beloved film “Coco” in the Plaza de Armas at 7 p.m., Saturday, October 28. Gather with friends and family for a heartwarming cinematic experience under the stars.
To minimize traffic congestion, attendees are encouraged to utilize public transit or rideshare services. The Old Town station is conveniently served by several MTS bus lines, as well as the Blue and Green trolley lines. Ample free parking is available throughout Old Town and the State Historic Park. Overflow parking can be found at the Caltrans lot located at Sunset Street and Taylor Street after 5 p.m. on Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.
For further details and inquiries, please contact us at info@oldtownsandiego.org, by phone at (619) 228-9340 and via our website at www.oldtownsandiego.org/dd.
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