About CAHSS

2024 Día de Los Muertos Celebration

sugar skull and marigolds surround Dia de Los Muertos

October 28, 2024

Join us at the Department of Performing & Visual Arts Visual and Public Art program's 27th Annual Day of the Dead Celebration at CSUMB on Friday, November 1, 2024, 5-8 pm, VPA Complex Building 70 (free and open to the public). 

Our annual Dia de Los Muertos/ Day of the Dead event includes a processional, large­ scale altar, Aztec dancers, traditional Mexican refreshments (pan dulce and chocolate caliente), club, sorority and fraternity altars, student artwork, and a cross section of students, faculty, staff and local community members. The Day of the Dead Event includes a series of hands-on workshops, interdisciplinary class presentations, support for the development of club altars, and the preparation of materials such as papel picado and sugar skulls. Dia de Los Muertos/ Day of the Dead introduces diverse aspects of our campus community and regional cultures, and this year’s celebration includes a large community altar and the wall of remembrance memorial––students and regional community members are invited to add photos of loved ones that have passed.

Acknowledgements:
The 27th Annual Day of the Dead Celebration is an event led by the Visual and Public Art Program, and is made possible through support, contributions, and collaboration/partnerships with OC3, El Centro, and CSUMB Special Event funding.  This year's event will include Aztec Dancers, drummers, a processional, musical performances, and a community gathering at the VPA Complex (Building 70, VPA project space).

Celebration Schedule:  

  • 4:00-5:00pm: Calavera and Sugar Skull Face Painting: 4-5pm (@ El Centro, Building 12, Room 125) 
  • 5:00-6:00pm: Calavera and Sugar Skull Face Painting: 4-5pm (@ VPA, build. 70) 
  • 5:00-7:00pm: Day of the Dead Exhibition & Altar Viewing at Main Altar (see below)*
  • 5:30-6:30pm: Chocolate Caliente y Pan Dulce
  • 6:30-7:30pm: Aztec Dancers & drummer Processional (Aztec Dancers Procession by Movimiento Cosmico: Indigenous Art, Culture, and Dance)*
    Aztec Dance procession will begin at 6:30pm and include a full Aztec Dance Performance, Ancestral Wisdom/Palabra, and Indigenous land acknowledgement.
*Main Altar, (VPA build. 70). You are welcome to bring a photo to place on the main altar. The main altar provides community members an opportunity to recognize the memory of loved ones who have passed away by finding a joyful spirit of endurance in a difficult time.

Free T-shirts!  Available at registration table (VPA, building 70), first come, first served.  For efficiency, please register ahead of time.

For ADA accommodations, please contact Mercedes Maciel at MeMaciel@csumb.edu.

Leading up to this celebration El Centro is hosting a Papel Picado Workshop on Thursday, October 24, 2024, 2-4 pm, Building 12, Room 125. 

We look forward to seeing you at the celebration!