City of San Clemente to Host 3rd Annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration

City of San Clemente to Host 3^rd Annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration

A community event honoring culture, tradition, and remembrance

September 24, 2025…. The City of San Clemente is proud to invite the community to its 3rd Annual Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm at Max Berg Plaza Park located at 1100 Calle Puente. This vibrant, culturally rich event will provide an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to honor loved ones, including friends, family, pets, and community members, who have passed away and experience the beauty of this cherished Mexican tradition. The celebration will feature a variety of activities for all ages, creating a fun and educational experience for everyone.

Event Highlights

Event festivities will include an altar and ofrenda, a Día De Los Muertos Art Contest, Catrina and Catrin Contest, a Ballet Folklorico dance performance, Danza Azteca performance, live art display, live music, story time, crafts, face painting, local nonprofit organization booths, beer garden, vendors, traditional delicious food, treats, drinks, and a DJ throughout the event. Traditional treats are free while supplies last. You can also savor traditional food and drinks offered by local non-profit organizations and food vendors for purchase.

Entertainment & Performance Schedule:

• 2:00 pm - Welcome & DJ
• 2:20 pm - Viva Cristo Rey: Azteca Ceremony
• 2:40 pm - DJ Angel
• 3:00 pm - Catrina Showcase
• 3:15 pm - Elemento FL: Grupo Norteno
• 4:00 pm - DJ Angel
• 4:10 pm - Raíces Ballet Folklorico / Viva Cristo Rey
• 4:45 pm - OC Public Library Story Time
• 5:00 pm - Winners Announced for Art Contest and Catrina/Catrin Contest
• 5:15 pm - Trio de Tres

Traditional Altar Display (Ofrenda)

The heart of the Día de los Muertos tradition is the altar, a space dedicated to honoring deceased family members and friends. The City is inviting all community members to participate in the park altar display beginning on October 30, 2025, at Max Berg Plaza Park. Residents and visitors can publicly honor their loved ones by adding photos to the display beginning on October 30^th, 2025 at the park site. Individuals who are unable to access the park ahead of the event may submit photos to the Recreation Division at [email protected] through October 30^th, and Recreation staff will place them on the altar.

Animal family member pictures are also welcome. The Community Altar will be on display from October 30^th through November 2^nd. Pictures/ofrendas can be collected at the San Clemente Community Center after November 4^th.

2025 Art Contest

To celebrate the creative spirit of the holiday, this year's events will host a special Día de Los Muertos Art Contest and Display. Let your art give voice to this cherished celebration.

• 2025 Theme: "Iluminando El Camino A Casa."/ "Illuminating the Path Home." Create a heartfelt tribute that honors the role of spirit guides in illuminating the soul's journey back to us, with imagery of flickering candles, alebrijes, xoloitzcuintle dogs, and marigolds.
• Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025
• Categories: Elementary (Grade K-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8), High School (Grades 9-12), Adult (ages 18 and over), and Sculpture/Altar (All ages)
• Submission Guidelines: Unleash your imagination on canvases no larger than 11" x 14" using any art medium. Drop off your masterpieces on November 1, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at Max Berg Plaza Park.
• How to Enter: Complete the online submission form, at www.san-clemente.org/events by October 30^th. Drop your artwork off on 11/1/25 between 9:00 am and 11:00 am. All artwork will be on display for the duration of the event. Judging will take place on the day of the event, and winners will be announced at 5 p.m. (Click Here) for quick access to the participation submission form.
• Prizes: 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd Place, and the People's Choice winners will receive prizes and will have their artwork displayed at Los Molinos Beer Co. Thank you to the Los Molinos Beer Co. for their contribution to the prizes.
• Our panel of judges will unveil the winners at the event, with People's Choice voting from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and winner announcements at 5:00 pm.

Catrina/Catrin Contest

Catrina and Catrin Contests are held during Día De Los Muertos celebrations, allowing participants to showcase their creative and festive spirit and transform into a Catrina or Catrin. Participants can compete in two categories: Youth (17 and Under) and Adults (18 and older).

Contestants should arrive dressed as their Catrina or Catrin character and check in at the City booth by 2:00 pm. The Catrina and Catrins will showcase their costumes to the judges and the public at 3:00 pm. People's choice voting will take place at the event between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. The winners of the Catrina & Catrin contest will be announced at 5:00 pm. Prizes will be awarded to the winners during the awards announcement.

The entire event is FREE and open to the public! Come join us in celebrating this meaningful and joyous tradition, as we come together as a community to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.

For event inquiries, please contact the Recreation Division at (949) 361-8264 or by e-mail at [email protected]. All event information is available on the City's website at www.san-clemente.org/events.

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