A Look At The Oakland Museum of California’s 29th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

On October 22, the Oakland Museum of California celebrated its 29th annual Dia de los Muertos celebration. 

This day of festivities included performances of regional Mexican music and dance, poetry readings, art and vendors, food and much more. 

It was a family-friendly event, with tons of activities for kids. There were sugar skull decoration activities, a tortilla-making demonstration station, and a headdress creation station.

This annual event is hosted by the museum in collaboration with the Dia de los Muertos Committee, a museum partner of 29 years, according to the director of programming Trianna Patel. “Our celebration today really honors the traditional aspects of Dia de los Muertos; we have ofrendas by different community partners… we have an artisanal goods mercado with local bay area vendors and a food mercado.”

Tacos, tamales, baked goods and other delicious foods were being sold at the event. Some lines for food vendors reached the entrance of the museum.

At the ofrendas, you could partake by writing notes to loved ones that have passed. 

People danced and sang to live performances. CJ, a local Bay Area resident, was there with a girl he nannies. “We just saw a baile folklorico dance. She’s loving it, she got face paint. Just seeing all the ofrendas and everything, and just appreciating everyone coming out.”

It was a beautiful celebration of culture, tradition and community. People young and old, regardless of background sang, danced and celebrated together at this colorful event.