Día de los Muertos
Dia De Los Muertos Annual Celebration
Free and open to the public!
Participate in art-making workshops, face-painting, a peace and remembrance procession, and visit community altars while enjoying pan de muerto y chocolate.
Altar Exhibition
View Día de los Muertos altars in the Galería Guadalupe created by a variety of artists, families, and organizations.
Key Components of a Traditional Dia de los Muertos Altar
- Levels: An altar can have two, three or seven levels. They represent the levels the soul must go through to get to final rest.
- Image of loved one
- Star shaped or regular lamp: To help the soul finds its home.
- Colorful papel picado: The union between life and death. The traditional day of the dead colors are orange, black, purple and yellow.
- Food: To celebrate the arrival of the spirits we offer favorite dishes, which can include alcohol, cigarettes and sweets.
- Incense or copal: To make the evil spirits go away
- Salt: Purifies the soul and avoids corruption
- Cross made of lime (calcium oxide, not the fruit) on the floor: Represents the four cardinal points to guide the soul.
- Ash cross: Cleanses the soul from its wrong-doings.
- Flower path to the altar: Guides the soul to the offering.
- Toys: To entertain the soul of children
- Candles and veladoras: Help the spirt ascend, a symbol of love that guides the soul to the altar. The candles can be purple or white which represent mourning and purity.
- Personal belongings: May be photos or objects that the dearly departed used.
- Water glass: For the thirsty soul to replenish before its journey back.
- Pan de muerto: Represents the generosity of he/she whom receives the soul and the gift of earth itself.
- Flowers: The smell of zempoaxóchitl guides spirits to this world.
- Sugar skulls: Represent the loved ones who have passed away.
- Basin: For the soul to wash his or her hands after the long journey.