Día de los Muertos Events Still to Come in San Diego This October

There’s still time to make a little room for remembrance this October. San Diego County has community ofrendas to visit, free festivals to explore and hands-on activities that give kids a way to take part. Here are six places to visit between October 23 and 31, 2026.

Día de los Muertos centers on remembering loved ones who have died. The ofrendas, music and family traditions are what make these gatherings special, even when the dates overlap with Halloween weekend.

Planning note: All times below are local San Diego time. Details were checked against official sources on October 23, 2026. Free admission does not necessarily include parking, food or every activity.

1. Visit the neighborhood ofrendas in Sherman Heights

Families and community groups have created more than 25 altars at the center and around the neighborhood.

• When: October 23 and October 27–30, 2026, 2–6 p.m.
• Where: Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Avenue, San Diego.
• Cost and booking: Free, self-guided visits. Walk-ins are welcome. School tours require a reservation.

Check the official ofrenda visiting schedule. The center says the ofrendas are closed on October 31. The October 29 piñata workshop is sold out.

2. Make a Sunday of it in Oceanside

Oceanside gives you a whole downtown festival to explore, with altars, live entertainment and a lowrider car show. The chalk cemetery is an especially thoughtful way to participate: visitors can create a memorial to someone they love, with free chalk available while supplies last.

• When: Sunday, October 25, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Where: Pier View Way and surrounding blocks beside Oceanside City Hall. The organizer recommends 300 North Coast Highway for GPS.
• Cost and ages: Free admission, with children’s activities offered.

See the festival details and chalk cemetery information. Parking is limited and normal restrictions still apply. The official arrival guide lists both free and paid parking options and recommends public transportation.

3. Join the community ofrenda in Encinitas

The Encinitas celebration starts with an ofrenda blessing at noon, followed by an afternoon of music and dance. The organizer also lists tissue-flower making, sugar-skull decorating and student art. Bring a photo or a small, non-valuable memento if you’d like to contribute to the indoor community ofrenda.

• When: Sunday, October 25, 2026, noon–4 p.m.
• Where: MiraCosta College, San Elijo Campus, 3333 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff.
• Cost and ages: Free, family-friendly festival.

See Encinitas Friends of the Arts’ event page and the performance schedule. Check campus parking signs when you arrive.

4. Spend October 31 in City Heights

The City Heights celebration brings community altars, music and hands-on activities to Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park. Mask making gives you something to do between the performances, while the ofrendas keep remembrance at the center of the day.

• When: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Where: Officer Jeremy Henwood Memorial Park, 3795 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego.
• Cost and booking: Free.

Read the official event and transit information. MTS identifies Route 13 as a way to reach the park. Transit fares are separate from the free event.

5. Visit Old Town on opening day

Explore historic ofrendas and join free paper-flower or papel-picado activities.

• When: October 31, 2026, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; continuing November 1–2.
• Where: Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, San Diego Avenue and Twiggs Street.
• Admission: Free, all ages. Optional sugar-skull workshops: $10 per skull. Butterfly activity: $5 suggested donation.

State Parks lots charge an unpublished parking rate. Lot F is closed. Old Town Transit Center is nearby. Check the official schedule.

6. Add Mingei’s ofrenda to a Balboa Park afternoon

For a visit that isn’t tied to a one-day festival, look for Mingei’s Community Spotlight installation by Lidia Martinez and Francisco Soto with Sherman Heights Community Center. This year’s ofrenda honors athletes, with floral forms inspired by cemeteries in Michoacán and Oaxaca.

• When: On view September 10–November 9, 2026, including the remainder of October.
• Where: Mingei International Museum, 1439 El Prado, Balboa Park. Community Spotlight uses the East Entrance display niche.
• Cost: The exterior display is separate from the museum’s paid Exhibitions Level. Mingei’s Entry Level is free.

Read about the 2026 ofrenda. If you want to go inside too, museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, plus 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday. The museum is closed Mondays. Check Balboa Park parking information before driving.

A few thoughtful things to bring

Comfortable shoes, water and a little patience make the day easier. If an organizer invites photos for a community altar, bring a copy rather than your only original. Ask before photographing people or touching an ofrenda, and help children understand that the objects on display may carry deeply personal memories.

Oceanside and Encinitas happen on the same Sunday, so choosing one will give you more time to enjoy it. For October 31, decide whether you want a neighborhood park celebration in City Heights or the historic setting of Old Town. Either way, choosing one main stop gives you more time to settle in and enjoy the day.