Celebrate Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is November 1 and 2. The holiday celebrates the souls of the dead who return to visit living family members. Halloween, All Saints Day, and Día de los Muertos are all celebrated at a similar date, but are celebrated differently. Unlike Halloween, which can be a fun and raucous holiday, Día de los Muertos is a somber time to remember and honor loved ones who have died. 

Traditionally, the holiday is celebrated by visiting the graves of family members and also by creating ofrendas (altars) for loved ones displaying their favorite foods, items of meaning, photos, and marigold flowers. Look for La Calavera Catrina (the elegant skull), a skeleton figure with vibrant makeup and often a flamboyant feathery hat to make an appearance in images and at events.

While Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday, we are fortunate that the Bay Area has some of the largest and most vibrant Día de los Muertos celebrations around. Some ways you can celebrate: 

• Attend El Camino de Los Muertos at SCU, November 2
• Attend the San Jose Museum of Art Día de los Muertos Community Day, November 2
• Visit the communal altar arranged at the Mission Church starting November 2
• Submit to the first edition of the Mexican Student Club’s literary magazine, Tren Al Sur

Or, try remembering a loved one you have lost by creating your own ofrenda this year.  See inspiration for your own ofrenda online.

 

Is there an international holiday you would like to see featured? Fill out our Google Form and let us know why it is important to you and how you celebrate it. We will consider including new international holiday suggestions in our plan for the next academic year.