Join us on Saturday, November 2nd, from 4-8PM at Branciforte Small Schools for Senderos' first-ever Dia de Muertos celebration, COMPARSA STYLE! A comparsa is a parade with dancing and wind music that occurs every year in Oaxaca, where participants honor life and death in a very colorful way. We invite everyone to dress up and march around the block with us! The evening will include traditional food, music and dances from various regions of Mexico, community altars to honor our loved ones who have passed on, and activity booths for children and families. We hope you'll join us for this very special event, bringing the spirit of Oaxaca to the heart of Santa Cruz! FREE and open to all ages.

Additional Día de los Muertos Celebrations

Senderos & MAH

Senderos partners with the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) to present a free community Día de los Muertos festival. This authentic event features traditional music, dance and art at the MAH. Located in Downtown Santa Cruz! Stroll through the museum in a self-guided presentation of community altars and enjoy live performances by Senderos’ Centeotl Danza and Baile, and Ensamble Musical.

Día de los Muertos at 1440 Multiversity

Experience the magic of Senderos' local talent and wholehearted community as we honor Día de los Muertos during a very special and FREE performance that will shine light on the beauty of Latino culture in our community.

In the heart of the redwoods at the 1440 Multiversity campus for A Celebration with Senderos! We hope to see you.

Rock & Roll con los Muertos:
A Benefit Show at the 418 Project!

Join The 418 Project for a fun mix of Latin punk, Brazilian music, psychedelic rock and surf rock for your Día de los Muertos on Friday, November 1st starting from 7-11pm. Support your local musicians and benefit Senderos while doing so. 30% of profits will benefit us directly! Face paint & accessories will be available. Sliding scale admission. 

Purchase tickets here: A DIY Punk/Rock Día de Los Muertos Benefit Show – Tixtree

Día de los Muertos

Dia de Los Muertos Memories

Día de los Muertos 2021 at Evergreen Cemetery

We enjoyed live performances by Senderos’ Centeotl Danza y Baile and Ensamble Musical de Senderos. We strolled through the cemetery in a self-guided presentation of community altars and viewed ofrendas (altars) honoring those buried at Evergreen Cemetery created by local community organizations and members.

MAH’s outreach & inclusion manager Helen Aldana and Megan Martinez Goltz created a short film, Honrando Mis Ancestros y Comunidad. Watch the short film and read more on the MAH’s blog here.

Día de los Muertos 2020: A Month-Long Celebration

We weren’t able to have our usual in-person weekend festival in 2020, but we had some wonderful virtual and safe community events co-presented by Senderos and the MAH. 

Here are the highlights:

Video Performance: Ensamble Musical de Senderos banda performance – Bring the beautiful music of Día de Muertos to your home in a pre-recorded musical performance filmed at Evergreen Cemetery.

Video Performance: Centeotl Danza y Baile dance performance – See traditional folkloric dances from Mexico.

Educational Video: Día de los Muertos History Lesson – Enjoy this video at Evergreen Cemetery for a quick history of Día de los Muertos and some traditions surrounding the Day of the Dead.

Video Tutorial: Calavera Face Paint – Calavera (skull) is a familiar symbol of Dia de los Muertos celebration that represents the departed soul folks honor on their altar. Learn from local artist Evelyn Salguero in a video tutorial of how to paint your (or someone else’s) face with the vibrant calavera.

November 2-7, 2020

Pop-Up Installation: Community Altars & Ribbons at Evergreen Cemetery

Stroll through Evergreen Cemetery in a self-guided walking tour of Senderos and other community ofrendas (altars) and view of a community-sourced ribbon installation Recordando Recuerdos.

Pop-Up Installation: Community Ofrenda at the MAH created with Senderos

Take a moment to pause with a community altar (ofrenda). The ofrenda welcomes your stories of loved ones who have passed. Altars are built to honor the dead, welcome them to the living world, and celebrate with the offerings placed on the altar. Stop by the MAH to view the ofrenda and hold space for reflection.

Read more on the MAH’s blog here.

For more information on Dia activities, please contact Helen Aldana at helen@santacruzmah.org or leave a voice message at 831.429.1964 ext. 7032.

Director Fe Silva leading Dia De Los Muertos procession
SENDEROS Musicians leading a song
Centeotl Dancers at Evergreen Cemetery