Pasadena’s Día de los Muertos Celebration Returns Oct. 24 with Altars, Dance, and Community Spirit

The City of Pasadena will host its annual Día de los Muertos celebration Friday, Oct. 24, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Villa Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa St. The free event honors the city’s Latino community and marks the close of Latino Heritage Month, offering residents a vibrant evening of remembrance, cultural expression, and community engagement.

Presented by the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department in partnership with the Pasadena Latino Heritage Committee, the celebration features traditional ofrendas (altars), folkloric and Aztec dance performances, live music, interactive arts and crafts, and food for purchase. This year’s theme, “Un Pasado con Orgullo, un Futuro con Esperanzas” (“A Proud Past, a Hopeful Future”), reflects the resilience and pride of Pasadena’s Latino residents.

Ofrendas remain the emotional centerpiece of the event. Attendees may contribute personal altars or place photos and stories on a communal ofrenda or memory tree. In past years, mini ofrendas created by Madison Elementary students stood out for their heartfelt tributes to lost loved ones, including siblings and grandparents, with messages of strength and inspiration.

The full program includes:

• 5:00–5:15 p.m.: Opening remarks
• 5:15–5:45 p.m.: Live music
• 5:45–6:15 p.m.: Folklorico Mexica
• 6:15–6:30 p.m.: Live music
• 6:30–7:00 p.m.: Folklorico Nahuatzen
• 7:00–7:15 p.m.: Live music
• 7:15–7:45 p.m.: Aztec Dance Yankuititl
• 7:45–8:45 p.m.: Live music
• 8:45–9:00 p.m.: Closing

Arts workshops will be provided by the Armory Center for the Arts, including calavera (decorated skull) crafts for all ages. The event continues a tradition more than 35 years old, originally organized by El Centro de Acción Social and the Armory. Since El Centro’s closure in 2015, the city has sustained the celebration through partnerships with the Armory and, since 2022, the Pasadena Community Job Center at 500 N. Lake Ave.

Villa Parke Community Center spans 8.1 acres and includes an auditorium with stage, gymnasium, meeting rooms, softball and soccer fields, basketball courts, a seasonal pool, picnic areas, and parking. The venue is wheelchair accessible, with accessible restrooms and outdoor seating. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early, as parking may be limited; congestion is common on Tuesdays due to the Farmers Market.

This event concludes Pasadena’s Latino Heritage Month, which ran from Sept. 15 through Oct. 24. The city’s Latino Heritage Festival was held Oct. 11 at Pasadena City Hall and featured Grammy Award-winning band Ozomatli. The traditional parade was canceled this year due to ongoing community issues.

For general event information, call (626) 744-6530 or email prcsevents@cityofpasadena.net.

A city official described the event in three words: “Heartfelt, Vibrant, and Community.”