Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), with a free craft day and exhibition on Sunday, October 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Casa de la Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. Fun for the whole family—discover the fascinating history of this special holiday while decorating sugar skulls, making skeleton masks, tin artwork, block prints and more. Enjoy traditional food, such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and Mexican hot chocolate, while viewing an exhibition of ofrendas by Presidio descendant families.

 

Día de los Muertos, an annual celebration to honor ancestors and remember deceased loved ones, is observed primarily in Mexico and other Latin American countries over two days: November 1st and 2nd. As a blend of pre-Hispanic and Catholic rituals introduced by the Spaniards, Day of the Dead is a wonderful example of the synthesis of cultures that defines Latin America and, in part, reflects the history of Santa Barbara.  Families celebrate Dίa de los Muertos as a time when the spirits of their deceased loved ones return to commune with the living. Families decorate cemeteries and assemble ofrendas (which translates to “offerings”) on household altars, where favorite foods and items that the dead enjoyed in life, as well as flowers, candles and personal mementos are placed. A moving tradition, Dίa de los Muertos celebrates Life and our connection to the past.

 

CALENDAR LISTING

 

Dίa de los Muertos Craft Day and Exhibit

Sunday, October 26, 2014

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Casa de la Guerra, 15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara, CA
For more information www.sbthp.org or (805) 965-0093

 

Celebrate Día de los Muertos, “Day of the Dead,” with a free family craft day and exhibit at Casa de la Guerra in downtown Santa Barbara. Discover the fascinating history of this special holiday while decorating sugar skulls, creating block prints, tin art and more. Exhibits will include a historical overview of the tradition and ofrendas (which translates to “offerings” on altars) created by Presidio descendant families. Traditional food such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead) and Mexican hot chocolate will be served.