Dia de los Muertos -- La Experiencia

Start: Saturday, October 7, 2023 11:00AM
End: Saturday, October 7, 2023 9:00PM

FIESTA DE REYES TO EXPAND DAY OF THE DEAD WONDERLAND IN OLD TOWN SAN DIEGO STATE HISTORIC PARK The immersive Dia de los Muertos experience will run from October 1 through November 2 Following on last year’s success, Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is planning a Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration like no other in San Diego – a free, family-friendly immersive experience designed to bring the spirit of this traditional annual Mexican and South American celebration to life for San Diegans of all ages. Dubbed Dia de los Muertos – La Experiencia, the event is slated to run from October 1 through November 2. Dia de los Muertos is traditionally celebrated on November 1st and 2nd each year. Dia de los Muertos is a community-wide celebration of the history, Hispanic culture and rich heritage of the region. It is at this time of year that the spirits of loved ones who have died are thought to return to Earth to celebrate with friends and family. It is traditionally a time to gather and celebrate and remember the lives of those who are no longer with us. Throughout the month of October, the Fiesta de Reyes courtyard at the north end of the state park will be filled with fanciful, humorous, and visually stimulating décor, offered as tributes to many of San Diego’s early citizens. Many life-sized Catrina skeleton dolls in fancy dress, and many larger-than-life size, hold court at Fiesta de Reyes throughout the event. More displays are being added this year with many being at child height and partially hidden, waiting to be discovered. This year, there will be more than 60 unique Dia de los Muertos displays in Fiesta de Reyes, thousands of marigolds – a traditional flower associated with Dia de los Muertos – will garner the courtyard, and live entertainment on the Fiesta de Reyes stage. Staff will dress in festive attire associated with Day of the Dead and merchants will host both traditional and more contemporary Dia de los Muertos altars throughout the plaza. Both Casa de Reyes Restaurant and Barra Barra Saloon will feature special menu selections throughout the run of the event. “Last year’s event was very successful and thousands of visitors were exposed to this very special celebration that is such a defining part of the history and culture of San Diego. We wanted to continue to honor that by expanding this year,” said Ryan Ross, director of Fiesta de Reyes. “We want folks to experience the spirit of this important aspect of our history by walking into a different world when they come through our gates.” Fiesta de Reyes is open from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays. Free parking is available throughout Old Town with extra parking available across Taylor Street in the CalTrans parking lot all day on weekend days and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.