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

The wait is over, the Downtown Chula Vista Association is gearing up for the 3rd Annual Dia De Los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, October 28th. Watch the South Bay neighborhood transform into a beautiful and lively, cempacuchil filled extravaganza to celebrate the lives of past loved ones.

The free community event is more than just an exciting experience for the entire family; it’s a cherished tradition that brings the entire community together to commemorate departed loved ones while embracing the joy that life brings.

Biggest Dia De Los Muertos in South Bay is Back

Taking place in the heart of Downtown Chula Vista, the Dia De Los Muertos Celebration will be filled with a community altar, an altar contest, dance performances, a Catrin and Catrina Ensemble Contest for cash prizes, food vendors, live music, and themed photo opportunities throughout the neighborhood. Towards the end of the evening, a special screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Book of Life will be played in the Memorial Bowl starting at 7PM.

“Dia De Los Muertos is an important day to the Downtown Chula Vista community, and we want to honor the holiday the best way we know how,” said Dominic Li Mandri, District Manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association.

“With dance performances, delicious food, an ensemble contest and of course a community altar, we hope that everyone will want to join us and celebrate the lives that have passed but also the culture that continues to thrive.”

The Community Altar

At the core of the cultural tradition is the community altar, a symbol signifying love and remembrance. The South Bay neighborhood encourages the community to participate in the touching tradition by bringing photos of loved ones who have passed and place them in the neighborhood’s community altar.

As a holiday dedicated to celebrating the lives of those who have passed, the altar will be a collection of memories that will be cherished by all.

Along with the community altar, there will be chances to win cash prizes by participating in the contests hosted by the Downtown Chula Vista Association. This year’s altar contest will feature three different categories:

• Best altar created by school/students
• Best altar created by the general public
• Best overall altar

Attached to claiming the victory, the winners of the contest will win cash prizes. For more information and the application form, click here.

Come in your traditional Catrin and Catrina attire and win a prize

Make sure to start planning the outfits now! Guests are also encouraged to dress up in traditional Catrin and Catrina attire or put their own twist on the traditional look. Those with the best and most creative looks will take home a cash prize ranging from $100 to $500.

The categories for the contest includes:

• Best youth (12 and under)
• Best catrín (male)
• Best catrína (female)
• Best couple

To apply or to learn more, click here.

Fun for the whole family

Fun activities will be set up for families such as a kid’s craft station, treats, delicious food, vendors, themed photo opportunities throughout the neighborhood and a special screening of Guillermo del Toro’s Book of Life in the Memorial Bowl starting at 7PM.

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

See you there, San Diego!