Encinitas held its 13th annual Día de los Muertos festival Sunday, Oct. 25, at MiraCosta College's San Elijo Campus in Cardiff.
The free afternoon celebration opened with a blessing of the Community Ofrenda, a remembrance altar where attendees could place photographs or mementos honoring loved ones who have died. Danza Azteca Mission San Luis Rey performed the blessing ceremony, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune's Encinitas Advocate. Community leaders spoke afterward, though the organizers' news release did not identify them by name.
Encinitas Friends of the Arts organized the celebration in partnership with MiraCosta College, Mano a Mano Foundation and the City of Encinitas. The festival ran from noon to 4 p.m. at the campus at 3333 Manchester Ave.
Mariachi Fuente performed live at the event, as shown in a photo published in the Encinitas Advocate. The event's program page also lists Ballet Folklórico de San Dieguito and Mariachi Estado de Oro among groups typically featured at the annual celebration.
Outside, Callejeros de Encinitas Car Club staged a lowrider car show. Artisan vendors sold goods, and food trucks served attendees. Inside, visitors could try sugar skull decorating, tissue paper flower making and face painting workshops.
Encinitas Friends of the Arts established the festival to bring Día de los Muertos traditions to North County with free, family-friendly programming for residents of all backgrounds, the organization said on its website.
The celebration has been held annually for 13 years. Organizers have not announced a date for the 2027 event.
