Day of the Dead - 2025
FAMILY ACTIVITY
Download our FREE Día de Muertos Coloring Book and make your favorite symbols of remembrance pop with color!
Thank you for visiting the KPBS digital community ofrenda and for sharing remembrances of loved ones who passed away. We hope this time has helped you celebrate, honor and remember friends and family who are no longer with us.
While Día de Muertos is celebrated in different ways, the holiday typically concludes on Nov. 2, but the KPBS digital ofrenda will remain on our website for you to continue exploring and remembering your loved ones.
It started with Indigenous rites, and was later influenced by Catholic rituals. The most known Día de Muertos celebratory dates are Nov. 1 and Nov 2. But remembering lost pets is also gaining visibility and is observed on Oct. 27. Then Oct. 28 is designated for souls who suffered an accident, a tragedy or a violent death; Oct. 30 and 31 are dedicated to children who died and were not baptized; Nov. 1 is for the deaths of young children, and also known as All Saints Day; and Nov. 2 is All Souls Day for all adults.
Many ofrendas include traditional elements and there are different beliefs about what they represent. Popular elements that go on altars include photos; skulls; papel picado or decorated tissue; pan de muerto or bread of the dead; candles; incense and marigold flowers, also called cempasúchil, among other elements. Some altars include items to represent the four elements of life: earth, wind, water and fire. Altars also include elements that reflect a family’s love for departed loved ones. You can add items the deceased person enjoyed. For example, food they liked to eat or if they were a fan of a sports team you can add items related to the team.
Social spotlight
KPBS visits Sherman Heights for Noche de Mole for Día de Muertos
A Day of the Dead story: Honoring her parents, celebrating a wedding
Day of the Dead: SDSU professor honors attorney Dan Seigel
From Texas Hold 'em to cattle: A Day of the Dead story
Day of the Dead: Why Beth Accomando loved her 'adorable evil' dog Ein
Stories
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KPBS joined the Sherman Heights Community Center for Noche de Mole — an evening of food, altars and celebration. Join South Bay engagement producer Marielena Castellanos and web producer Leslie Gonzalez to see what they ate, what the event means to the community and how you can take part in similar neighborhood events. -
KPBS Social Media Strategist Lara McCaffrey shares a personal story of love and remembrance for Day of the Dead. She reflects on her parents’ journey — from meeting in France to building a life together — as she prepares to walk down the aisle herself on the holiday. -
SDSU Chicanx professor Roberto Hernández talks with KPBS about Día de Muertos, sharing his perspective on the holiday and who he is adding to his altar this year. -
This Día de Muertos KPBS Web Producer Leslie Gonzalez shares her fondest memories of her grandfather. From Texas Hold 'em to rounding up cattle, Leslie shares a personal story of her home and family. -
KPBS Arts and Culture Reporter and cinephile Beth Accomando shares the story of her beloved, four-legged "monster" Ein and why she loved him for his "evil." -
Oceanside resident Bárbara Moraga shared a Day of the Dead memory of her grandmother with KPBS, explaining the holiday's significance to her and honoring her grandmother's resilience and strength. -
The annual Día de Muertos altar at Mercado Hidalgo is a beloved Tijuana tradition honoring the deceased. -
Download our new Día de Muertos Coloring Book and make your favorite symbols of remembrance pop with color! -
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Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a time to honor and remember those we have lost, and welcome them back to visit the land of the living. San Diego will hold several events and festivities to commemorate the tradition, and KPBS found a list of places you can attend and enjoy.
