Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego 2024

Enjoy live performances, face painting, & themed local shopping during Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos celebrations, an annual family friendly event.

Key Takeaways

  • For 2024, Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos events start to take form in early October with the peak between Oct 28th & Nov 2nd.
  • Old Town holds the most robust, and my personal favorite, Día de los Muertos celebration in San Diego.
  • The cultural activities I love include the procession to the El Campo Santo Cemetery, searching for Ofrendas, and getting my face painted as a Catrina with my family.
Todd Sarouhan
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means if you make purchases through them, I may be compensated at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
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The Complete Guide: Día de los Muertos Celebration in Old Town San Diego 2024

Dia de Los Muertos in Old TownTraditional Face Painting for Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town

The holiday season starts in Old Town San Diego with the Día de los Muertos festivities on October the 28th and continues until the actual Day of the Dead on November 2nd.

But you might be asking yourself, ‘What exactly is Día de los Muertos?’

What is Día de los Muertos?

Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday during which loved ones who have passed away are said to return to the living world for a single night of revelry.

Not to be confused with the many other exciting Halloween events in San Diego, this holiday involves many celebrations and fun live events that are truly unique cultural experiences suitable for the whole family.

Chicano Park Main Stage
Chicano Park Main Stage

My Personal Favorite Día de los Muertos Celebration in San Diego

San Diego’s historic roots and proximity to the Mexican border have resulted in the infusion of Mexican culture throughout the city. San Diego hosts numerous Día de los Muertos festivals across the city from Chula Vista in the south near the Mexican border, to Barrio Logan near the beautiful San Diego Bay, and up to Escondido in the city’s northern reaches.

But to me, nowhere is this crossing of cultures more apparent than during the Día de los Muertos celebrations in Old Town, San Diego!

Old Town hosts the largest Día de los Muertos celebration in San Diego, and in my opinion, the best as well! Attending these holiday events, in Old Town San Diego specifically, has become a tradition for my family.

Fire Pit at Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town / SeaWorld Area
Fire Pit at Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town / SeaWorld Area

Stay in Old Town San Diego

When my friends and family travel to San Diego for the Día de los Muertos festivities, I recommend they stay at the Hilton Garden Inn San Diego Old Town/SeaWorld Area.

Not only is it walking distance to the events and activities of the Día de los Muertos celebration, but it’s also just 4.2 miles by car or local rideshare from the San Diego International Airport (SAN), 5 miles to Mission Bay, and just under 3 miles to a href="/things-to-do/attractions/seaworld-san-diego/">SeaWorld San Diego.

Local Tips
Driving to Día de los Muertos in Old Town?
Make sure to arrive early, especially the weekend before Nov 2nd and on Nov 2nd. Free parking is limited and fills up fast. Paid options are there, but planning ahead is key. Enjoy the vibrant festivities and remember your loved ones!

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego: Best Events & Activities

Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos celebrations are the most robust in all of San Diego.

Our team has compiled a list of the things to see and do that you won’t want to miss, from the parades to the food, games and more!

Plus new for 2024, I’ve included a bonus celebration you won’t want to miss that’s just outside of Old Town San Diego neighborhood at the end of the article!

El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town San Diego
El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town San Diego

1) Participate In (or Watch) the Procession to the El Campo Santo Cemetery

Neighborhood: Old Town San Diego
Address:
Starts at the Immaculate Church on San Diego Ave.
Date: Saturday, Nov 2, 2024. After Sunset
Cost: Free

Every year, I eagerly await the Día de los Muertos celebrations in Old Town San Diego, especially the procession to the El Campo Santo Cemetery. It's an event I absolutely love and never miss!

This huge parade begins on Nov. 2, 2024, after sunset at the Immaculate Church on San Diego Ave. in Old Town San Diego, and continues all the way to the El Santos Campo Cemetery. You can take part in this candlelight procession with your family, or simply watch 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 Campo Santo 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!

Why I Think This is Special

Watching the procession is enjoyable, but walking as part of it is even better and a surefire way to make a timeless memory.

My family and I join the walk to El Campo Santo Cemetery every year, so this is a sentimental celebration for me and one I would highly recommend.

Performer on the Fiesta De Reyes Stage on Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town
Performer on the Fiesta De Reyes Stage on Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town

2) Enjoy Live Music at Fiesta de Reyes Main Stage

Neighborhood: Old Town San Diego
Address:
Fiesta de Reyes: 2754 Calhoun Street, San Diego 92110
Date: Oct 1 to Nov 2, 2024
Cost: Free

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.

Past years have included performances by Mariachi bands, dancers, and local singers. The dedicated entertainment schedule for the Día de los Muertos celebration in 2024 takes place on Saturday 10/28, Sunday 10/29, Wednesday 11/1 and Thursday 11/2.

The 2024 performance times for those days is as follows -

  • Folklorico Dancers 12pm - 3pm
  • Rios Mariachi Fusion 3:30pm - 5:30pm
  • Luis Max & Blue Moon 6pm - 9pm

There will also be themed performances leading up to the holiday, starting on October 1st, 2024.

  • Thursdays: Los Rios 5pm - 7:45pm
  • Fridays: Los Rios 5pm - 8:45pm
  • Saturdays: Los Rios 12:30pm - 4:15pm; Luis Max 5:30pm - 9:30pm
  • Sundays: Los Rios 12:30pm - 4:15pm; Luis Max 5:30pm - 8:30pm

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.

Like many of the activities featured in the Complete Guide to All the Holidays in San Diego, the performances at the Fiesta de Reyes stage are fun for kids and adults alike.

Why I Think This is Special

Fiesta de Reyes is a fun spot to walk around any weekend during the year to see the performances and eat delicious food, but they really go all out during Día de los Muertos which makes it feel extra special.

Ofrenda at El Campo Santo Cemetary in Old Town San Diego
Ofrenda at El Campo Santo Cemetary in Old Town San Diego

3) Find all the Ofrendas (Altars) All Around Old Town

Neighborhood: Old Town San Diego
Address:
All Around Old Town San Diego
Date: Oct 1 to Nov 3, 2024 (Any Time)
Cost: Free

Día de los Muertos is a holiday all about honoring the spirits of ancestors.

Mexicans often create lavishly decorated altars, known as ofrendas, that are dedicated to their loved ones, who are believed to come back to walk among them on the Day of the Dead. Ofrendas usually feature pictures of loved ones along 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. Dozens of stores, museums, and historic sites practice this tradition each year, so you’re guaranteed to see many of these decorated ofrendas as you traverse the streets.

During past celebrations, ofrendas lined Taylor Street, Twiggs Street, Harney Street, and San Diego Avenue, plus the El Santos Campo Cemetery. They transformed the area beautifully, especially knowing the meaning of these altars.

Though this is an unofficial part of the town’s holiday festivities, it’s fun to walk around and discover the Ofrenda locations for yourself! 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.

Why I Think This is Special

Finding ofrendas has no set schedule, which is great if you’re more laid back and looking to explore Old Town San Diego at your own pace.

It’s a fun, family activity to see if you can locate them as you do some shopping and dine at authentic Mexican restaurants.

Family of Catrinas During Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town San Diego
Family of Catrinas During Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town San Diego

4) Get Your Face Painted as a Catrinas

Neighborhood: Old Town San Diego
Address:
Cafe Coyote: 2461 San Diego Ave, San Diego, CA 92110
Oct 1 to Nov 3, 2024 (Fri - Sun each week)
Cost: $25 / person for a full face Catrina

During Día de los Muertos celebrations, Catrinas face paint is a tradition nearly as old as the holiday itself!

Every year, my family and I get our faces painted as Catrinas to join in this beautiful tradition. We see it as a way to pay homage to the holiday’s roots by turning our faces into decorative skulls and celebrating 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.

You can find face paint artists in front of Cafe Coyote in Old Town leading up to the holiday and also on Día de los Muertos itself, Nov. 2. The cost starts at $25 per person for a full face Catrina.

Previously mentioned Fiesta de Reyes also has face painters on the weekends leading up to the holiday (Oct.13-15,20-22,27) in the afternoon and evenings as well as all day from October 28th until November 2nd.

Why I Think This is Special

My family and I never skip this tradition when Día de los Muertos rolls around. It’s great for getting that perfect family photo, but it’s also an amazing way to feel more connected to the holiday and to take part in a tradition connected to Old Town’s history and culture.

Check out our pictures! I can say that getting our face’s painted is also just good old fashion fun!

People Love the Fiesta De Reyes During Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town
People Love the Fiesta De Reyes During Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town

5) Go Shopping at the Mercado de Arte for the Day of the Dead Celebration

Neighborhood: Old Town San Diego
Address:
4010 Twiggs St, San Diego, CA 92110
Date: Saturday, Nov 2, 2024 and Sunday, Nov 3, 2024
Cost: Free

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 past years, the Mercado de Arte was held a few days before Día de los Muertos, but for 2024 it will be open on the weekend of the Day of the Dead - November 2nd and November 3rd. Consider picking up some decorations, dresses, sugar skulls, and other local items for celebrating!

Why I Think This is Special

There are many places to shop in Old Town San Diego, but the Mercado de Arte is among the most unique. The vendors sell everything you need to throw a Day of the Dead party of your own or to bring a little memento of the holiday back with you.

Inside the Tin Roof Bar at the Gaslamp Quarter
Inside the Tin Roof Bar at the Gaslamp Quarter

6) Bonus: Gaslamp Quarter Día de los Muertos Celebration

Neighborhood: Gaslamp Quarter
Address:
Historic Downtown Gaslamp Quarter
Date: Saturday, Nov 2, 2024 & Sunday, Nov 3, 2024
Time: Sat: 10:30am to 8pm | Sun: 10:30am to 7pm

Though Old Town San Diego has the biggest Día de los Muertos celebrations of anywhere in San Diego, it’s not the only neighborhood where you can find Catrinas and Ofrendas as November 2nd draws near. In fact, there are lots of other places commemorating Día de los Muertos, including in the Gaslamp Quarter!

It’s common for people to attend in costume, either with a simple marigold headband or a full-fledged outfit inspired by the Catrinas. Past years have seen over 100,000 attendees all enjoying the party by getting their faces painted, admiring fine art, shopping, and paying respects at the Ofrendas.

Live entertainment is provided by bands and other performers who don’t just capture the attention of the crowds but also share the important cultural connections of this holiday in Mexican culture. The 2024 lineup includes appearances by Santana Pa Ti, Grupo Folklorico Herencia, Bobby Detroit, and Omar Moreno.

The Gaslamp Quarter event spans two days. In 2024, it will run from 10:30am - 8:00pm on Nov 2nd and 10:30am - 7:00pm on Nov 3rd.

Why I Think This is Special

The Gaslamp Quarter is filled with historic landmarks and restored buildings dating back to the mid-1850s, making for a backdrop like no other when the bright colors and festivities of Día de los Muertos transform its streets.

Join Todd as he tours one of his favorite restaurants in the historic district of Old Town, Cafe Coyote. This cantina serves up authentic Mexican dishes, delicious frozen drinks, and a lively atmosphere.

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Whaley House
Historic Whaley House Museum
The Whaley House Museum is located in historic Old Town San Diego. With your Go Pass, take in one of the most visited attractions in the area. The complex is made up of multiple houses and museums that offer something fun for the whole family.
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What are the best Go City San Diego pass deals?

Some of the best deals with the Go City San Diego pass include access to San Diego’s most popular attractions.

Discount admission is offered to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari, SeaWorld, LEGOLAND California, USS Midway Museum, Belmont Park rides and more!

Want to save more? Use our exclusive discount code GVSD5OFF to save an extra 5%!

What to Know Before You Celebrate

Día de los Muertos is a very important and sacred holiday in Old Town’s Mexican community. Use these tips to ensure you get the most fun out of the festivities.

Decorations at Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town
Decorations at Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town

See Something New Each Year

Unique performers and events are offered each year that Old Town San Diego hosts a Día de los Muertos celebration, with the party getting bigger and better each year! Even if you’ve been before, it’s worth going again to see what’s changed and to experience the magic all over again.

Dining at Cafe Coyote during the Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Dining at Cafe Coyote during the Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Old Town in a New Light

Each year, the celebration is localized around Fiesta de Reyes in the San Diego State Historic Park, where the largest collection of Día de los Muertos artwork from San Diego artists is on display.

If you’re looking to kick things off a little early, I’d suggest taking a themed tour like the Tequila, Tacos & Tombstones Walking Tour, which offers a unique after-dark look at the neighborhood paired with great food and drink.

Ring in Fall in San Diego

If you’re looking for more fall fun you can enjoy with the whole family, I’ve got a few more suggestions you might like to consider. Fall is one of the best times of year to visit San Diego as the skies are generally clear and temperatures are just right!

Check out our list of the best pumpkin patches in San Diego 2023, listen to spooky stories on the best ghost tours in San Diego, or try a premium San Diego activity such as a visit to the world-famous San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND California or an Old Town Trolley Tour.

Many of the best things to do in San Diego have discounted ticket prices when you grab a Go City San Diego pass using discount code GVSD5OFF. For Old Town San Diego specifically, I’d recommend the Haunted Old Town Walking History + Paranormal Investigation Tour and a visit to the historic and haunted Whaley House!

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