The Biggest Dia De Los Muertos Celebration In South Bay Returns to Chula Vista!

After lots of anticipation, Chula Vista is going above and beyond to celebrate the long-awaited 2nd Annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, October 29th!

Taking place in the heart of Downtown Chula Vista, Memorial Park will be transformed into a place to honor deceased ancestors and welcome them back as memories.

Throughout the evening, members of the community will also get the chance to participate in two main competitions, an altar-building and Catrín ensemble competition, to win cash prizes ranging from $150 to $1000.

South Bay’s biggest Dia De Los Muertos Celebration

Known as the biggest Día De Los Muertos Celebration in the South Bay, this free community event will feature live music, an altar and Catrín/Catrina ensemble competition, face painting, beautiful flower arrangements from Tallo and Pan de Muerto from Dulcet, and a special screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco beginning at 7PM for the entire family to enjoy.

“We’re so excited to be able to bring back our Día De Los Muertos community celebration,” said Dominic Li Mandri, District Manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association. “Our community loved the event last year and we knew this year we had to make it bigger and better!”

“We’re bringing back our community altar for everyone to add photos of their loved ones that have passed, but also inviting everyone throughout San Diego to come and create their own altar honoring their loved ones at the park. This year we even added a fun screening of Disney Pixar’s Coco as a heartwarming way to end the night. We truly hope everyone will come out and celebrate with us, learn about this incredible day and soak in the culture.”.

Following the event’s cultural traditions, the South Bay neighborhood welcomes attendees to bring photos of loved ones who have passed and place them on the neighborhood’s community altar located at the corner of Third and Davidson.

A holiday meant to bring the community together through love, this event allows guests to celebrate the lives of their passed loved ones.

Contests for Prizes

Altar-building contest

This year’s celebration is also introducing some friendly competition for a chance to win cash prizes! Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an altar-building contest with three different categories (Best Altar Created by School/Students, Best Altar Created by General Public & Best Overall Altar) with a $500 cash prize for the first two categories and a $1,000 cash prize for Best Overall Altar.

More information on the contest and how to register can be found here. 

Put on your best Catrin/Catrina ensemble

The community is also encouraged to dress up in Catrín/Catrina ensemble or put their own twist on the traditional look. The Catrín/Catrina ensemble competition will be broken up into four categories: Kids 12 & Under ($150 cash prize), Best Catrín ($250 cash prize), Best Catrína ($250 cash prize), Best Couple ($500 cash prize).

More information on the contest and how to register can be found here.

Little ones get to enjoy, too!

The largest Día De Los Muertos celebration will also feature plenty of activities for the little Catrinas and Catrines with themed kids crafts like sugar skull decorating, live music from different musical performers, face painting, themed photo opportunities, a special screening of Pixar’s COCO at 7PM, along with Cempacúchil flowers and Pan de Muerto from Dulcet and Tallo for attendees to build their own altars at home.

See you there!

This project is made possible in part by the City of Chula Vista and the Create Chula Vista Arts Grant.

For more information on the Downtown Chula Vista Association please visit here.

See you there, San Diego!