Participate in a Mexican holiday celebrated originally in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd to honor and remember deceased loved ones! Rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions blended with Catholicism, the holiday involves building ofrendas (altars) adorned with photos, candles, marigold flowers, and offerings like favorite foods to welcome the spirits.
Celebrate with a traditional wind music band, while Oaxacan folk dances, such as the Danza de los Diablos and the Danza de la Pluma, add vibrancy to the Día de los Muertos Family Day. The festivities also feature food like tamales, pan de muerto (a sweet bread), mole, and hot chocolate, reflecting the richness of Mexican culinary traditions. Food and beverages will be available for sale.
Presented by Regional Organization of Oaxaca (ORO) and LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
Workshops
Students (Grades TK-12) can pick up an activity booklet at the welcome table and collect a stamp at each workshop and activity area. Collect all four stamps and receive a special giveaway!
Máscara de Calavera: Mini Calavera Masks
Learn about the art of papier-mâché in Mexico and paint your own mini mascara to adorn your altar.
Cempasúchil Seedlings & Satchels: Plantitas y Bolsitas de Cempasúchil
Stop and smell the cempasúchil. Learn about the importance of this flower during Day of the Dead celebrations.
Giveaway for TK-12 grade students:
Prepare for Día de los Muertos with a special activity kit that explores the monarch butterfly and its cultural symbolism during Day of the Dead festivities. This activity kit includes all the materials needed to make a tape de arena, sand art inspired by intricate art crafted throughout Oaxaca during Day of the Dead celebrations.
The same day, participate in a Les Navegantes Activation Day!
LA Starts Here! tour with Les Navegantes
Learn about LA history from Angelenos! Navega (navigate) the galleries with LA Plaza’s Navegantes and share your story while learning about Latinx presence in Los Angeles- from the past to the present.
Recuerdos y Retratos Community Altar
Join us in commemorating your lost loved ones at our Community Altar, Recuerdos y Retratos here at LA Plaza. Write a message or print a photo on-site to add to the altar. Navegantes will be available to help from 12pm to 2pm, next to our LA Starts Here exhibition on the 1st floor.
Día de Los Muertos with Pulso
Prepare for the November 5th, 2024, general election by learning about ballot measures, polling locations, and voter registration deadlines. Don’t miss the chance to register to vote on-site and enter a special giveaway, in partnership with Headcount and Accelerate Change! This workshop is presented in partnership with Project Pulso.
Dia de los Muertos Family Day is Sponsored in part by 