Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego: altars, crafts and a candlelit procession

For three days each fall, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park fills with marigolds, community altars, papel picado and music for Día de los Muertos. Then it ends with a candlelit procession to one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. It’s free and family-friendly, and it’s one of the most meaningful ways to spend an afternoon in San Diego’s oldest neighborhood. Here’s what to expect this year and how to get there.

What is Día de los Muertos?

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration that California State Parks calls “one of the most important holidays of the year in Mexico and other Latin American countries.” Families welcome back the memory of loved ones who have died, using ofrendas (altars), photos, marigolds, candles and favorite foods. It isn’t a sad holiday or a Halloween add-on. In the words of State Parks, it “honors the unity of life and death.”

Old Town is a fitting place for it. The park tells the story of how San Diego grew from a Kumeyaay village into a Mexican pueblo and then an American settlement.

What to do at Old Town’s Día de los Muertos

• Walk the altars. Community altars sit alongside historic altars that honor Old Town’s past residents.
• Make something. Hands-on craft tables cover papel picado (cut paper banners), sugar skulls and paper marigolds.
• Leave a message in the monarch butterfly grove.
• Step inside the museums. The U.S. House Museum has two art installations featuring La Catrina, and the Captain Fitch Museum has a student art exhibition.
• Catch live music on the main stage.

Monday night’s candlelit procession to El Campo Santo is the moment to plan around.

The candlelit procession to El Campo Santo

On Monday, Nov. 2, the procession leaves Twiggs Street at 6 p.m. and walks to El Campo Santo Cemetery on San Diego Avenue. State Parks invites families to gather at the Plaza de Armas or along the route. It’s dark by then, so bring a light layer and a flashlight, and plan to arrive early if you want a good spot.

How to get there and where to park

• Transit: The park is next to the Old Town Transit Center, served by the Trolley, Coaster and MTS buses. It’s the easiest option on a busy day.
• Parking: Free parking is available at the Caltrans headquarters lot, 2994 Sunset St., about two blocks from the park.

Another Día de los Muertos celebration in San Diego

The Old Globe, Balboa Park. On Sunday, Nov. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., The Old Globe hosts a community Día de los Muertos celebration with music, dance, traditional altars, art workshops and family activities. Check The Old Globe for details before you go.

Tips for visiting respectfully

• Altars are personal. Look, read and take photos, but don’t touch or move anything.
• If you want to honor someone, the community altars and the butterfly grove are the places to do it.
• Face painting and calavera makeup are part of the celebration. Just remember it’s a remembrance, not a costume party.

Frequently asked questions

When is Día de los Muertos in Old Town San Diego?

In 2026, it runs Saturday, Oct. 31, through Monday, Nov. 2, at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Is Old Town’s Día de los Muertos free?

Yes. California State Parks describes it as a free, family-friendly event.

What time is the Día de los Muertos procession in Old Town?

Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at 6 p.m. It starts on Twiggs Street and ends at El Campo Santo Cemetery.

Where do I park for Día de los Muertos in Old Town?

Free parking is at the Caltrans headquarters, 2994 Sunset St., two blocks away. The Old Town Transit Center is right next to the park.

More from TrulySD: Halloween in San Diego: what’s happening through Oct. 31 · Kids Free October is back · The lighthouse that was too tall for its own good