College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

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!