Dia De Los Muertos Family Festival 2024

The festival’s purpose is to honor the lives of those who have passed and celebrate the positive impact they had on the lives of others. The celebration in Santa Maria highlights many traditional elements of how the event is observed in Mexico and in the United States, including the iconic use of marigolds, sugar skulls, and elaborate face painting.

Families are invited to create ofrendas — beautifully adorned altars with photographs, favorite foods, and personal mementos — welcoming the spirits of their loved ones for a brief, joyful reunion. Rather than a time of mourning, Dia de los Muertos is a celebration filled with music, dance, food, family gatherings, and vibrant decorations.