Día de Muertos returns to Desert Botanical Garden Nov. 4-5, featuring an immersive experience that includes a mega community altar centered on the history and symbolism of the elegant skeleton figure La Catrina, a decorative and floral archway, and a two-day celebration and festive processions.
La Catrina is one of Mexico’s most famous emblems for Day of the Dead. She is a representation of a woman skeleton, often sporting a floral-embroidered bonnet and was created by the late Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada. The popularized skeleton was first conceived as satire, referencing Mexican society’s obsession with the European upper class. Diego Rivera made La Catrina even more popular in his 1947 painting “Sueño de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Central” that depicted the skeleton with a feather stole and a long skirt.
Today, La Catrina is the central character on almost every altar.
Starting October 27, guests will enjoy a mega community altar inside Webster Auditorium. The altar will be covered with rebozos, or Mexican shawls, and decorated with a large-scale Catrina bust, as well as paiper-mâché Catrinas, paper flower floor and wall decorations, ceramic skulls, marigolds, sugar skulls and so much more.
From Nov. 4-5, the Garden will host a two- day Día de Muertos festival with a procession for the entire family to enjoy. Visitors can also expect delicious food, art, music and hands-on activities. The event is included with general admission.
