SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica will host its eighth annual Día de los Muertos event at Woodlawn Cemetery on Saturday, November 2 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Día de los Muertos event highlights the cycle of life, remembers ancestors with altars, features musicians, dancers, craft workshops, and food trucks. While the event is open to all members of the public, pets are not permitted.

For 2019, the event will present a new regional format that was developed by a multi-year community engagement project. Delaware Avenue will be closed to traffic and will connect directly to Woodlawn Cemetery for a greater amount of space for festivities to take place.

Festivities will conclude:

OPENING CEREMONY: 

11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Ketzalitzli – Aztec cultural dance

STORYTELLING & PHOTO EXHIBIT 

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca photo exhibit by Gabriel Martinez
12:30– 1:00 p.m.
Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca artist talk with Gabriel Martinez
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
El Díade los Muertos: Celestial Aztec spoken word & musicwith Martin Espino
2:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Celebrating Día de los Muertos in Oaxacaartist talk with Gabriel Martinez
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.
El Díade los Muertos: Celestial Aztec spoken word & musicwith Martin Espino

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES 

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Memory Wall Workshop
Event Info Booth
Marigold Flower Giveaway
11:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Mariachi Monumental de America – strolling mariachi group
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.
Banda Filarmonica Maqueos Music – strolling Oaxacan youth traditional brass band
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.

ALONG DELAWARE AVE. MAIN STAGE: 

Emcee: Betto Arcos

12:00 -12:45 p.m.
Mariachi Lindas Mexicanas – All-female mariachi group performing songs from Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán & Sinaloa
1:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico Santa Monica – Folk dances from Jalisco & Sinaloa
1:45 – 2:15 p.m.
Banda Filarmonica Maqueos Music – Oaxacan youth traditional brass band
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo – Traditional dances from Michoacán, Sinaloa & Coahuila
3:15 – 4:00 p.m.
Cuñao – Latin alternative folk

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES 

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • Altars: MEChA, The Monarchs, Community Altar
  • Rainbow Painted Smiles Face Painting
  • Calavera Workshop with MEChA
  • Día de los Muertos Selfie Op
  • Paper Flowers Workshop with Carmela Morales
  • Flower Headband Workshop with Ines Gutierrez
  • Event & Woodlawn Cemetery Info

CRAFT VENDORS:

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • Ines Garcia
  • Maritere’s Boutique
  • Olvera-Street.com
  • Arturo Martinez
  • The Fountain Palace
  • Morales Paper Flowers

FOOD TRUCKS:

11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

  • Los Tamaleros
  • Tacos Del Valle
  • Tacos Gallo Loco
  • Tacos La Tehuanita
  • Del Solar Fish Tacos
  • The Churro Company

The cemetery and Delaware Avenue is accessible by foot, bike, bus or car. Free bike valet will be provided. No cars will be allowed in the cemetery or on Delaware Avenue during the event. If commuting by bus, Big Blue Bus Route 7 and 41 service access to the cemetery.

Route 7

  • Departs every 15 minutes or less
  • Board/Exit on westbound or eastbound Pico Blvd. & 14th St.

Route 41

  • Departs every 25-30 minutes
  • Connects to Metro’s Expo Line at the 17th St./Santa Monica College Station
  • Board/Exit on southbound 14th St. & Michigan Avenue  or eastbound Pico Boulevard & 14th St.

For more details regarding routes and departure times, visit bigbluebus.com

The cemetery will be wheelchair/mobility device accessible. A golf cart will provide pick up and drop off service from the cemetery entrances to the top of Delaware Avenue for those requiring mobility assistance. The city advises that there is an incline on Delaware Avenue

No parking will be allowed inside the cemetery or along Delaware Ave. Free parking will be available at Santa Monica College parking lots 4 and 6 located at 16th and 14th Streets on Pico Boulevard. A free shuttle will run between the parking lots, the cemetery entrances, and Delaware Avenue between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For assistance with accessibility accommodations, contact the Cemetery at least one week prior to the event at 310-458-8688; TTY 310-458-8696.

A section of parking spots along the east side of 14th Street, between the two cemetery entrances, and on the west side of 17th St. will be reserved for handicap accessible parking. Vehicles must have a government-issued accessible parking license plate, placard, hangtag or sticker.

Both cemetery entrances on 14th St., as well as 17th St. at Delaware Avenue will serve as a drop-off location. An attendant will be on site at the entrances to provide guidance if needed.

The event is presented by the city of Santa Monica Community & Cultural Services Department, and Woodlawn Cemetery, Mortuary & Mausoleum.