Get ready to paint your face and honor your ancestors this October because Encinitas, California, is gearing up for a Day of the Dead celebration that’ll knock your socks off! On Sunday, October 27, from noon to 4 PM, the 11th Annual Encinitas Dia de los Muertos festival will take over MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus at 3333 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
What’s the Deal With Dia de los Muertos?
For those who’ve been living under a rock (or maybe in a crypt), Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that’s been around for thousands of years. It’s a time when people believe the spirits of their deceased relatives come back to party with the living. Instead of being all doom and gloom about death, this holiday turns it into a celebration of life.
The Encinitas Twist
Encinitas puts its own spin on this ancient tradition, blending Mexican customs with California cool. Picture this: mariachi bands jamming out next to surfboards, sugar skulls decorated with images of palm trees, and ofrendas (altars) that might include a photo of a beloved grandma next to her favorite beach hat.
What’s on the Menu?
Your eyes and ears are in for a treat! The festival will feature:
- Mariachi bands belting out tunes that’ll make you want to dance (even if you have two left feet)
- Ballet Folklorico groups twirling and stomping in colorful traditional outfits
- Art workshops where you can channel your inner Frida Kahlo
- A low-rider car show that’ll make you say “¡Ay caramba!”
- Food trucks serving up tasty Mexican grub (because partying with the dead works up an appetite)
Get Your Art On
Feeling creative? The festival’s got you covered with art-making workshops where you can try your hand at traditional Dia de los Muertos crafts. Maybe you’ll make a paper marigold that doesn’t look like it was crumpled up and stepped on, or decorate a sugar skull that’s more sweet than scary.
There’s also a Day of the Dead art exhibit featuring work by local students. It’s a great chance to see how the younger generation interprets this age-old tradition (spoiler alert: there might be some smartphone-wielding skeletons in the mix).
The Big Ofrenda
One of the coolest parts of the festival is the 10-foot ofrenda that’ll be set up at both the Encinitas Library and MiraCosta San Elijo Campus. This isn’t just for show – everyone’s invited to add their own mementos to honor their departed loved ones. So bring a photo, a trinket, or even your great-uncle Bob’s favorite bottle opener (hey, the dead get thirsty too!).
Location, Location, Location
MiraCosta College’s San Elijo Campus is the perfect spot for this shindig. With its ocean views and laid-back vibe, it’s got that classic SoCal feel that’ll make both the living and the dead want to hang out all day.
Why You Should Go
Look, we know there are a million ways to spend a Sunday in October. You could binge-watch that new series, scroll endlessly through social media, or try to teach your cat to fetch (good luck with that). But how often do you get the chance to celebrate life, death, and everything in between with your whole community?
This festival is a chance to learn about a different culture, make some cool art, eat some great food, and maybe even connect with your own ancestors (who are probably wondering why you never call). Plus, it’s free! That’s right, you can have all this fun without spending a dime (though you might want to bring some cash for those food trucks – your ghostly great-grandma isn’t picking up the tab).
So dust off your sugar skull makeup, and get ready to party like there’s no tomorrow (even though there totally is). The 11th Annual Encinitas Dia de los Muertos festival is going to be a blast for the living and the dead alike.
Who knows, you might even start a new family tradition – just don’t be surprised if your ancestors start expecting an invite every year!
Sources: encinitasarts.org, sandiego.org
Header Image Source: sandiego.org
