For the 34th year, the Museum honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a display of altars created by students in the Museum’s school and outreach programs and local community groups. Día de los Muertos inspired art activities for all ages will be offered on the Front Terrace and in the Family Resource Center. New this year, end the event with traditional dance and music from the Mixtec and Zapotec region of Oaxaca. All are welcome to join with Latinx Indigenous community members in a procession down State Street from SBMA to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB).

Generous support for the 2023 Día de los Muertos Free Family Day is provided by the Hazen Family Foundation; Betsy, Martha and Bruce Atwater; and Robert Castle.

Event Details

Altars

11 am – 4 pm — View altars created by school and community groups

Art Activities

11 am – 2 pm — Calavera Collages & Skull Charms
11 am – 4 pm — Rufino Tamayo Inspired Prints
11 am – 4 pm — Offerings for interactive altar created by students in the Emerging Teens Program
2 – 4 pm — Paper Flower Headdresses to wear in the procession

Poetry in the Galleries

1:15 – 1:35 pm
2:15 – 2:35 pm
3:15 – 3:35 pm

Join author, speaker, and musician, and Poet Laureate of Santa Barbara, Melinda Palacio for a performance of poetry and music.

Music, Dance & Procession

3:45 pm — Gather on the Museum’s Front Terrace for the 4 pm procession to MCASB featuring:

• Los Catrines y ña’na ña’a Snuviko
• Danza de Diablos de la Mixteca Baja grupo Agua Azul de Santiago Juxthahuaca Oaxaca
• Danza Mexica Tolteka Izkalotl
• Banda de Viento San Jorge
• Grupo musical Los hijos de San Juan Mixtepec
• Oaxacacreations Monos de Calenda y más from La Heroica ciudad de Ejutla de Crespo, Oaxaca

The music, dance, and procession is a partnership with:

For more information on MCASB’s event Click here.