Dia de los Muertos is an annual tradition. | Photo credit: Krista

Are you familiar with Day of the Dead? Also known as Dia de los Muertos, this long-standing Mexican tradition is two-day celebration held on November 1^st and 2^nd each year. It is a time to remember and joyously celebrate the dearly departed in a lively, festive way. Families create special altars to honor and remember their loved ones. In addition to placing the deceased’s favorite things on the altar, items such as sugar skulls (las calaveras de azúcar), yellow marigold flowers, and candles are also displayed. If you are in San Diego, a visit to Old Town is the go-to destination for Dia de los Muertos. Let’s take a closer look at celebrating Day of the Dead in Old Town San Diego.

This year, Old Town San Diego is celebrating Dia de los Muertos over the weekend of October 28 – 29 and the traditional days of November 1 – 2. All the events are within the Old Town State Historic Park, with many of the festivities taking place at Fiesta de Reyes, and are free to attend. Check the official schedule of events for all the details of this family-friendly celebration.

Happy skulls (calaveras) and skeletons (calacas) are the key symbols of Day of the Dead. I visited Old Town this week and got a sneak peek at some of the colorful and joyful displays.

Day of the Dead wreath on the fence outside El Centro Artesano in Old Town. | Photo credit: Krista

Fall colors on display in front of Toby’s Candle & Soap Shop in Old Town. | Photo credit: Krista

Yellow marigolds at the Wells Fargo History Museum. | Photo credit: Krista

Autumn décor located inside the Wells Fargo Bank building at the base of the WF Stagecoach. | Photo credit: Krista

Sugar Skulls ($3.00 each) available at Cousin’s Candy Shop. | Photo credit: Krista

Cousin’s Candy Shop makes saltwater taffy and fudge. For Day of the Dead, you can find sugar skulls here. | Photo credit: Krista

A giant sugar skull greets diners at Barra Barra Saloon. | Photo credit: Krista

Old Town’s Fiesta de Reyes is one of the central places where Day of the Dead festivities will occur Oct. 28 – 29 and Nov. 1 – 2, 2017. | Photo credit: Krista

Another group of musicians greets you at the entrance of Fiesta de Reyes. | Photo credit: Krista

This lively bunch of musicians is located in an upper balcony of Fiesta de Reyes. | Photo credit: Krista

Fiesta de Reyes features many colorful Dia de los Muertos displays. | Photo credit: Krista

Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego. | Photo credit: Krista

This covered wagon is adjacent to the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant. For Day of the Dead, it is decorated with fall colors including yellow marigolds and pumpkins. | Photo credit: Krista

The Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant was built in 1827 as a state-of-the-art adobe home. Today, it has been restored to its 1870s glory and features Day of the Dead décor each year. | Photo credit: Krista

Check out the color coordinating outfits of these lovely ladies on the porch of the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant. | Photo credit: Krista

More lovely ladies on the front porch of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. | Photo credit: Krista

The front porch of the historic Cosmopolitan Hotel & Restaurant overlooks the edge of the Old Town Plaza. | Photo credit: Krista

This happy couple are in the main entrance of the Cosmopolitan Hotel. | Photo credit: Krista

These lovely ladies are in the Cosmopolitan Hotel’s Saloon. | Photo credit: Krista

Be sure to visit inside the historic saloon of the Cosmopolitan to visit Calaca McAlvarez. | Photo credit: Krista

Day of the Dead has been celebrated in Old Town San Diego for over 200 years. In 1800s Old Town, Day of the Dead was a quieter occasion than it is today. People dressed in black and walked slowly and quietly from the chapel to the cemetery with lighted candles to honor the dead. Today in Old Town, people still remember the dearly departed by building altars to honor them. Here’s what you need to know if you plan on visiting Old Town for Day of the Dead this year on October 28-29 and November 1-2, 2017.

Old Town State Park Event hours:

• Sat. (10/28) – Noon to 9 p.m.
• Sun. (10/29) – Noon to 6 p.m.
• Wed. (11/1) – Until 10 p.m. in Fiesta de Reyes
• Thu. (11/2) – Noon to 9 p.m.

Fiesta de Reyes gates and restaurant hours:

• Sat. (10/28) 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.,
• Sun. (10/29) 9 a.m. – 10p.m.,
• Wed. (11/1) 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.,
• Thu. (11/2) 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  (Live entertainment until closing each day.)

The annual Day of the Dead event will conclude with the traditional candlelight procession on November 2^nd starting at 6:00 p.m., beginning at the entrance of the Old Town State Historic Park, located at the intersection of San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street. The procession will travel down San Diego Avenue to El Campo Santo Cemetery. To participate, gather between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Old Town entrance (Twigg St. and San Diego Ave.).  Many Old Town restaurants, businesses, museums, and shops will be creating over 50 traditional and contemporary Dia de los Muertos altars. Unique altars will honor historic Old Town figures, as well as more current stories. A public altar will also be located in El Campo Santo Cemetery where visitors are encouraged to add their own mementos, photos, and written tributes to loved ones.

During the celebration, many Old Town restaurants will be providing special Dia de los Muertos menus and live music, along with activities for the entire family, including traditional face painting, mask making, and many more. For more information about celebrating Day of the Dead in Old Town, visit the official website and the Fiesta de Reyes website.

If you are not in San Diego and would like to celebrate Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) with your family, here are some ideas for celebrating, including some Dia de los Muertos party ideas, foods, and coloring sheets.

How do you honor departed loved ones?
Does your family celebrate Day of the Dead?
Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”