Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego 2022

During Día de los Muertos celebrations, Catrinas face paint is a tradition nearly as old as the holiday itself! Pay homage to its roots by turning your face into a decorative skull and celebrate the holiday in the authentic Mexican way.

The face paint derives from the character of La Catrina. In Mexican folklore, she is depicted as a skeleton wearing a feathered hat. The original satiric drawing by political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada has been embraced and turned into a beloved icon by renowned artists like Diego Rivera.

Today, statues and paintings of La Catrina can be found in many Mexican owned businesses throughout San Diego, especially near the end of October. Getting your face painted is a great opportunity to learn about Mexican culture and Día de los Muertos celebrations.

Like many of the activities featured in the Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, Catrinas face paint is fun for kids and adults alike. You can find face paint artists in Old Town leading up to the holiday on Oct. 29 & 30, 2022, and also on Día de los Muertos itself, Nov. 2, 2022.

The procession to the El Santos Campo Cemetery is one of the most recognizable aspects of the Día de los Muertos celebrations in Old Town.

The huge parade begins on Nov. 2, 2022 after sunset on the Day of the Dead at the Immaculate Church on San Diego Ave., and continues all the way to the cemetery. You can take part in this candlelight procession with the whole family, or simply watch the procession from the sidelines and admire the intricate costumes of revelers.

The parade is accompanied by a traditional Mariachi band playing live music, and culminates at a public altar in the El Santos Campo Cemetery. It’s one of the biggest events of Old Town’s Día de los Muertos festivities and a standout attraction in our Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, so you won’t want to miss it!

There’s no cost to watch or participate in the parade. For other ways to save during your stay in San Diego, pick up a Go City San Diego pass for reduced admission prices to dozens of attractions, or see our picks for the Best Free Things to Do in San Diego.

Día de los Muertos is a holiday all about honoring the spirits of ancestors. Mexicans create altars, known as ofrendas, that are dedicated to their loved ones, who are believed to come back to walk among them on this night. Ofrendas usually feature pictures of loved ones and are lavishly decorated with Aztec marigolds known as cempazúchitl, as well as food and drinks the person enjoyed.

During Old Town’s Día de los Muertos celebrations, many local businesses put out their own ofrendas which you can visit. Though it’s an unofficial part of the town’s holiday festivities, dozens of stores, museums, and historic sites practice this tradition each year, so you’re guaranteed to see a few as you traverse the streets. It’s a fun, family activity to see if you can locate them all as you do some shopping and dine at authentic Mexican restaurants.

During the 2022 celebrations, ofrendas can be found along Taylor Street, Twiggs Street, Harney Street, and San Diego Avenue, plus the El Santos Campo Cemetery. Many are near historic points of interest such as Whaley House, the Immaculate Conception Church, State Historic Park, and the Mormon Battalion Historic Site. Other notable locations include Fiesta de Reyes, Casa Guadalajara, the Cygnet Theater, and the Old Town Saloon.

San Diego’s Old Town Market is among the Best Farmers Markets in San Diego and a must-see stop for lovers of fresh food and handmade goods. During the lead up to Día de los Muertos, the space is transformed into an Art Market known as the Mercado de Arte. Walking through the market and shopping at the dozens of vendors here is a great way to celebrate the holiday while also picking up some souvenirs.

Vendors of all kinds set up shop, many of which sell goods tailored to Día de los Muertos. In between traditional taco trucks, try holiday favorites like decorated sugar skulls, pan de muerto, oaxaca hot chocolate, and chicken served with mole negro sauce. Purchase bouquets of Aztec marigolds and locally made tequila to decorate your own ofrenda, or shop for handcrafted decorative items that let you commemorate your trip and take home some of that Day of the Dead spirit.

In 2022, the Mercado de Arte will be held a few days before Día de los Muertos, on Oct. 29-30. Consider picking up some decorations, dresses, sugar skulls, and other local items for celebrating!

The Fiesta de Reyes Main Stage is an arena for live performances located in Old Town San Diego. The venue hosts live musical entertainment on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Throughout the year, these performances are some of the Best Things to Do in Old Town San Diego for visitors and locals alike.

As Día de los Muertos draws near, the venue hosts themed music performed by top-notch Mexican bands. These shows are free to attend, so you can pop by and listen to the music at your leisure on Oct. 29 & 30, 2022.

If you’re in the mood for some authentic Mexican food, be sure to dine at the nearby Casa De Reyes Mexican restaurant. You can see and hear the stage performances from your seat. Dig into traditional ceviche, tacos, guacamole, and fajitas as you enjoy the live music.

Around Fiesta de Reyes, you’ll also find shops selling a variety of goods, many of which are handmade and totally unique local items you won’t find anywhere else in San Diego. A good number of these businesses are themed for Día de los Muertos. Goods sold around the pavilion include kids toys and books, clothing, novelty items, wines, and artisan chocolates.

While The Rady Shell Theater is located along the Embarcadero overlooking the San Diego Bay, not Old Town, it’s worth taking a short trip to the venue to extend your Día de los Muertos celebrations! The theater is found within Jacobs Park, which routinely hosts musicians, comedians, and other live performances throughout the year.

Día de los Muertos festivities in 2022 take place at The Rady Shell on Oct. 30, 2022 at 6:00pm. The theater is putting on a celebration of Latinx music and culture hosted by the San Diego Symphony. The event is designed to memorialize those who have passed away, but like all Día de los Muertos activities, it is sure to be a night of making memories together with friends and family.

Entertainment includes the headlining act of Grammy award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos, as well as other traditional musicians and artists. It will feature performances by Grupo Folclórico Chiquina Palafox dancers.

The concert is suitable for all ages. Tickets start at $20 for lawn seats and go up to $75 per person depending on the type of seat you desire. Advanced tickets for the 2022 celebration are available through the venue's official site.