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Every fall, families gather to remember friends and loved ones who have died in a two-day celebration known as Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The Mexican holiday is traditionally celebrated Nov. 1-2, with people creating ofrendas (altars) decorated with sugar skulls (calaveras), photos, foods that their loved one enjoyed and mementos associated with the person who died.
On the Peninsula, there are events in October and November where attendees can take part in community altars, make traditional crafts and enjoy food and live performances. These festivities encourage attendees to celebrate the memories of loved ones with joy, humor and exuberance. All events are free unless otherwise noted.
Redwood City Library, Oct. 24-30
The library hosts sugar skull decorating for ages 10 and up Oct. 26, followed by an all-ages sugar skull decorating demo Oct. 30 and time to decorate sugar skulls to take home. Makers 16 and older can stop by the library’s makerspace Oct. 24 for a sweet treat and guidance in making something special to remember the holiday using the Baby Lock embroidery machine, sewing machines, Cricut and more. An exhibit showcasing traditional ofrendas, artwork and sugar skulls will be on display Oct. 26-Nov. 2 and is open to the public during library hours.
Workshops Oct. 24, 6:30-8 p.m., Oct. 26, 2-4 p.m. and Oct. 30, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Downtown Library, 1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. redwoodcity.org/departments/library/events.
San Mateo County Libraries system, ongoing
Libraries throughout the county are holding special workshops throughout October and November in which participants can create a miniature ofrenda (altar) with step-by-step instructions from Bay Area artist Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo, decorate sugar skulls for altars, make paper marigolds and paint hummingbirds. Additional library events include a Dia de los Muertos altar at the Foster City Library from Oct. 25-Nov. 6, a celebration at the North Fair Oaks Library Oct. 26 with 3D printed skull decorating, a community altar and a scavenger hunt.
Workshops ongoing at various San Mateo County libraries through Nov. 27, Dia de los Muertos celebration at North Fair Oaks Library Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to noon, 2510 Middlefield Road, Redwood City. Visit tinyurl.com/smcldiadelosmuertos for complete info; pre-registration required for some events.
Daly City, Oct. 26
The Daly City Arts and Culture Commission is hosting its inaugural Dia de los Muertos celebration at City Hall with altars, live music, vendors, dancing, face painting, crafts and food. Attendees are welcome to build an altar in honor of their ancestors.
Oct. 26, 4:30-7 p.m., City Hall, 333 90th St., Daly City. dalycity.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=3525.
East Palo Alto, Oct. 26
Come to Cooley Landing for an afternoon of activities, including crafts such as papel picado, mask making and building a community altar. Participants are encouraged to bring photos, decorations and favorite objects of loved ones who have died for the altar. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. The event will be hosted in English and Spanish.
Oct. 26, noon to 3 p.m., Cooley Landing, 2100 Bay Road, East Palo Alto; pre-registration required. tinyurl.com/diadelosmuertosatcooley.
College of San Mateo, Oct. 29
CSM’s Latinx Working Group is hosting the annual community-wide campus celebration Oct. 29. Past events have included decorated altars and dancing.
Oct. 29, 5-7:30 p.m., College of San Mateo (lower quad near theater), 1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo. tinyurl.com/csmdiadelosmuertos.
CuriOdyssey, San Mateo, Nov. 1
The science museum and zoo will host a Dia de los Muertos-themed First Friday Nights with an animal ofrenda, two food trucks and holiday crafts. CuriOdyssey’s director of wildlife will recount stories of animals that have lived there in “Tails from the Ofrenda.”
Nov. 1, 5-8 p.m., CuriOdyssey, 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. General admission tickets are $21.95 for adults and $17.95 for students, seniors 62+ and children. Infants 17 months and younger free. tinyurl.com/curiodysseydayofthedead.
Friendship Park, Redwood City, Nov. 2
San Mateo County Parks and San Mateo County Libraries are hosting this celebration featuring family-friendly activities for all ages, a community altar, crafts, resource booths, traditional sweet bread and refreshments. Danza Colibri will perform traditional music from the southern region of Veracruz. Canopy will also lead a fruit tree care workshop and give away free fruit trees to workshop participants while supplies last.
Nov. 2, 2-5 p.m., Friendship Park, 290 Huntington Ave., Redwood City. tinyurl.com/friendshipparkcelebration.
Paint n’ Sip Cacao, Los Altos, Nov. 1
Bevri hosts a night of painting mugs and sipping cacao with live music and meditation.
Nov. 1, 5-7 p.m., Bevri, 325 Main St., Los Altos. General admission $60.54. tinyurl.com/paintnsipcacao.
Community School of Music and Arts, Mountain View, Nov. 2
CSMA’s Mohr Gallery will host a celebration with music, art making, food and photo opportunities with the community ofrenda. Drop in through Nov. 1 to honor loved ones at the altar.
Nov. 2, noon to 2 p.m., Community School of Music and Arts, 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View. arts4all.org/mohr-gallery.
Mountain View, Nov. 2
For the first time, the city of Mountain View’s celebration will take place at Civic Center Plaza. Kids’ activities include face painting, decorating sugar skulls, flower making and more. There will be live performances including Azteca dancing, Ballet Folklorico, a theater performance, music from Veracruz melodies and dancing from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Decorated altars created and inspired by community members will be on display.
Nov. 2, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. tinyurl.com/mvdiadelosmuertos.
Half Moon Bay, Nov. 2
Mac Dutra Park and the ALAS Cultural Center will host a variety of activities, including face painting, vendors selling food and other items, community altars and sugar skull decorating. Entertainment includes Xiuhcoatl Azteca dancing, Mariachi Media Luna and Ballet Folklorico Tonantzin.
Nov. 2, 3-9 p.m. at Mac Dutra Park, 500 Main St., and ALAS Cultural Center, 507 Purissima St., Half Moon Bay. tinyurl.com/hmbdiadelosmuertos.
Redwood City, Nov. 3
The downtown Redwood City festivities are organized around a theme or a region of Mexico that’s deeply rooted in ancient Day of the Dead traditions. This year’s celebration will be a Mayan-style Day of the Dead, with a welcome speech and procession beginning at 6 p.m. There will also be vendors offering traditional foods, such as hot chocolate, tamales and pan de muerto, free kids’ activities, a food court, face painting, live entertainment and ceremonial altars created by community members.
The San Mateo County History Museum will join the festivities with its own activities, including kids’ crafts and a room of altars (which will remain on display through Nov. 8, a second free admission day).
The main Redwood City event is from 3:30-8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City. tinyurl.com/rwcdiadelosmuertos. San Mateo County History Museum events will be from 4-8 p.m., 2200 Broadway, Redwood City. historysmc.org.
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Also Christ Church Portola Valley and Woodside will be having a Day of the Dead celebration at 4 pm on Nov 2nd for a 6:30 pm drive-in movie showing of Coco in their car park.