Join us for this joyful family celebration that honors the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones!
Día de los Muertos
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Special Programming from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Join us for this joyful program where we honor the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones. Create a stunning sand painting with stencils, learn about the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, and delight in the bigger-than-life skeleton puppets and the Calaveras procession led by Teatro Familia Aztlán. The museum’s procession is uniquely exciting – it includes a stop at Lupe, the 14,000 year-old “muerto” mammoth.
Translated “The Day of the Dead” is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. It largely originated in Mexico, where it is observed, but it is also celebrated in other areas and especially by people of Mexican heritage. Let’s learn more about this holiday together.
Activities include:
Calaveras and Puppet comparsa/procession by Teatro Familia Aztlán at 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
Hands-On and Interactive Activities:
- Sand Painting – create special artwork using sticky paper, sand and stencils of symbols such as calaveras and marigolds
- Monarch Butterfly Mask – decorate and wear a fun mask
- View a traditional altar designed by Artist Lissa Jones
- Add a remembrance to the community altar in the Art Studio
- Take a photo in front of our Día de los Muertos backdrop
- In the theatre, learn more about Día de los Muertos and dance along with Chiquy Mejia, aka Chiquy Boom!
Check out this year’s wonderful Children’s Culture Bag generously provided by the San Jose Multicultural Artists Guild. Limited quantities will be available at the Museum on the day of our Dia De Los Muertos Festival just after each procession happening at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Our supporting sponsors:
This program was made possible, in part, by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PAST EVENTS
This celebration is created in partnership with the Museum’s Latino Cultural Advisors
The museum is committed to promoting the region’s diversity through the Cultural Celebration Series so that families of all backgrounds can explore the many cultures and traditions in Silicon Valley. Cultural celebrations offer opportunities for building global awareness for people to explore and understand their cultural differences and similarities.
The series includes: El Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos, Lunar New Year, Nowruz, Proud of My Family, Juneteenth, Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, Diwali Festival, Dia de los Muertos, and Menorahs & Miracles.