22ND ANNUAL
MICAILHUITL
DIA DE
MUERTOS
OCT 31 - NOV 1, 2026
HISTORY PARK
OUR ANNUAL
DIA DE MUERTOS CEREMONY
Experience the vibrant celebration of Mexica culture with Calpulli Tonahlehqueh. This lively event boasts an array of engaging activities for kids, captivating live entertainment, a delectable selection of food trucks, artisanal arts & crafts, skilled face painters, enticing vendors, a beautifully crafted ofrenda (offering space), delightful shopping opportunities, thrilling contests, and so much more.
​
Join us in San Jose, California, for a family-friendly gathering that honors and embraces the rich tapestry of Mexica heritage.
DAY OF THE DEAD
FAQ'S
DIA DE MUERTOS
WHAT IS DIA DE MUERTOS?
​Dia de Los Muertos is a celebration of life.
The celebration originated in central and southern Mexico and dates back 3,000 years, during the time of the Aztecs. ​
​
Those who celebrate it believe that at midnight on October 31st, the souls of all deceased children come down from heaven and reunite with their families on November 1, and the souls of deceased adults come visit on November 2nd. The festivities continue in the cemetery, where families bring picnics, play music and sometimes even spend the night as a way to celebrate the lives of those who are no longer on this earth.
WHY DO YOU PAINT YOUR FACE FOR DIA DE MUERTOS?
In the past, participants and dancers used careteas, or masks, to scare the dead away at the end of the festivities. But in modern-day celebrations, people paint their faces to look like skulls, decorating it to represent a deceased loved one or an expression of themselves.