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West Sacramento News-Ledger

California Museum to Host 11th Annual Día de los Muertos Fiesta Oct. 12

Sep 05, 2024 10:21AM ● By California Museum News Release

Aztec dancers wow the crowd in 2023. Photo courtesy of the California Museum


SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Tickets are now available for the California Museum’s highly anticipated Día de los Muertos Fiesta on Saturday, Oct. 12. The annual event will honor the rich Mexican tradition of the “Day of the Dead” and celebrate the grand opening of the California Museum’s new exhibit, “Arte de Inspiración: Día de los Muertos 2024.”

“We’ve been honored to be part of Sacramento’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations for over a decade now,” said California Museum Executive Director Amanda Meeker. “Each year we strive to provide a space for visitors to not only learn about Dia de los Muertos but experience its traditions firsthand at the Fiesta through art, music, food and crafts.”


Attendees will get the chance to decorate sugar skulls. Photo courtesy of the California Museum


Fiesta attendees will enjoy food and drinks for sale by local Mexican restaurant Mayahuel; a ceremonial blessing by Maquilli Tonatiuh Aztec Dancers; live music by Latin tribute band Maya; dancing by Ballet Folklorico Sacramento; Mercado de los Muertos (Market of the Dead) featuring unique items for sale by local vendors and artists; sugar skull decorating workshops; and hands-on crafts for children ages three and up.

In addition to celebrating Mexican culture and tradition, the Fiesta will also commemorate the grand opening of the Museum’s newest temporary exhibit. A journey through life, love and death, “Arte de Inspiración: Día de los Muertos 2024” (Inspirational Art: Day of the Dead 2024) will feature original art and altars by California artists John Hancock and Juan Ramos, Adrian Arias and RAH Azul. Their work will explore the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones each year by displaying altares de muertos (altars of the dead) and ofrendas (offerings), which have evolved from the Aztecs to modern-day Mexico and California. Members of the public are invited to pay tribute to lost loved ones at a Community Altar through the end of the exhibit on Sunday, Nov. 17.


A Mayahuel Altar is displayed at the California Museum’s event in 2023. Photo courtesy of the California Museum


Fiesta tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. For the first time, the California Museum is also offering a limited quantity of VIP Terrace add-on tickets for $25. The VIP Terrace includes an elevated view of the festivities, shorter lines for entry and food and drink tickets, access to indoor dining seating, and more. Fiesta tickets are required to purchase VIP Terrace tickets. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Fiesta2024.eventbrite.com.