The 13th annual Encinitas Día de los Muertos celebration lands at MiraCosta College's San Elijo campus in Cardiff on Sunday, Oct. 25.

The free festival runs noon to 4 p.m. at 3333 Manchester Ave. It opens with a blessing of the Community Ofrenda, a remembrance altar, by Danza Azteca Mission San Luis Rey, according to a San Diego Union-Tribune roundup of countywide Day of the Dead events.

Remarks from State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, Encinitas Mayor Bruce Ehlers, Council Member Joy Lyndes and Assemblymember Tasha Boerner will follow, according to The Vista Press. Beatriz Villarreal, program director of Mano a Mano Foundation, will emcee.

The performance lineup includes Mariachi Fuente, Ballet Folklórico de San Dieguito, Ballet Folklórico El Tapatio de San Dieguito and Ballet Caliztlan Santa Catarina de Juquila Oaxaca. Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club will stage a lowrider car show alongside artisan vendors and food.

Hands-on workshops offer face painting, tissue flower making, sugar skull decorating and large-scale flower crafting led by Sandra Servin. Joseph Curiel will guide painting sessions. The Encinitas Ceramic Artists Collective plans to sell Mexican-inspired pieces, and artwork by Oak Crest Middle School students will be on display.

Admission is free.

An indoor Community Ofrenda invites attendees to bring a photograph or small memento to honor a loved one who has died. Opportunity drawings will feature prizes and giveaways, including laptop computers, the Vista Press reported.

Naimeh Woodward, president of Encinitas Friends of the Arts, said in a news release that the organization is proud to continue the tradition and create a celebration that welcomes the broader community, specifically Latino neighbors. The event is a partnership among Encinitas Friends of the Arts, MiraCosta College, Mano a Mano Foundation and the City of Encinitas. Sponsors include California Coast Credit Union, MiGente, The Cottage and AmeriCorps, among others.

Full schedule and details are available at encinitasarts.org.

Upcoming Día de los Muertos events nearby:

  • Oct. 31: Día de los Muertos at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park in Carlsbad, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission.
  • Nov. 1: Día de Muertos festival at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, 4 to 9 p.m. Free admission.