Free Family Day on Sunday, October 20
Includes 2nd Day of the Dead Procession from SBMA to MCASB

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art (SBMA) presents a free family day in celebration of Día de los Muertos on Sunday, October 20, 11 am – 4 pm, in the Museum’s Front Terrace, Family Resource Center, and galleries. For the 35th year, the Museum honors the Mexican tradition of remembering the dead with a variety of family festivities include altar displays, art activities, live music, and dance performances. For the second year, a Day of the Dead Calenda, or procession, will travel from SBMA to the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB). Admission to the family event and to both museums is free.

Inspired by the Día de los Muertos traditions and works of art currently on view in the Museum galleries, the event’s art activities include Alfredo Ramos Martínez-inspired Still Life Collage & Skull Charms, Rufino Tamayo-inspired newspaper Nichos, and Paper Flower Headdresses to wear in the procession.

Wrapping up the event at SBMA includes a Day of the Dead Calenda that will proceed from SBMA to MCASB. Calenda in Oaxaca is a traditional celebration that represents the expression of joy, the strengthening of family, community and personal bonds. This festive event will feature a range of traditional music and dances from the mexican states of Oaxaca and Guerrero such as the Banda de Viento de San Jorge de Oaxaca, Lico Music Academy, traditional dances from the Mixtec region of Oaxaca, Las Danzas de los Diablos and Rubios de la Mixteca Baja grupo Agua Azul from Santiago Juxtlahuaca Oaxaca, Danza de la Pluma San Pablo Guila and @Oaxacreation Monos de Calenda y más from the Heroic city of Ejutla de Crespo Oaxaca.

The ceremony will begin at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s State Street entrance and will proceed towards the MCASB in the Arts Terrace at Paseo Nuevo, with an altar of the dead, authentic Oaxacan cuisine, art vendors, and a dance party by the group Los Hijos de San Juan Mixtepec.

Schedule of Events:

At SBMA:

Altars
11 am – 4 pm: View altars created by school and community groups

Art Activities
11 am – 2:30 pm: Alfredo Ramos Martínez -inspired Still Life Collage & Skull Charms
11 am – 4 pm: Rufino Tamayo-inspired newspaper Nichos
2 – 4 pm: Paper Flower Headdresses to wear in the procession

Music, Dance & Procession
3:45 pm: Gather on SBMA’s Front Terrace for the 4 pm procession to MCASB

Free Family Guides are available at the Visitor Services desks in both English and Spanish.

At MCASB:

Calenda
4 – 5 pm: The procession will commence along State Street to Paseo Nuevo. There will be pauses along the way for short dance performances. Everyone is welcome to dance. The procession ends at the Arts Terrace at Paseo Nuevo, where the program continues.

Catrina Contest
5 – 5:15 pm: Catrina contest with winner featured on stage behind the MCASB parking lot

Traditional Dances
5:15 – 6:30 pm: Dance performances

Dance
6:30 – 7 pm: Dance party by the group Los Hijos de San Juan Mixtepec

Generous support for the 2024 Día de los Muertos Free Family Day at SBMA is provided by the Hazen Family Foundation.
The music, dance, and procession is a partnership with MCASB.

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art is one of the finest museums on the West coast and is celebrated for the superb quality of its permanent collection. Its mission is to integrate art into the lives of people through internationally recognized exhibitions and special programs, as well as the thoughtful presentation of its permanent collection.

When:
Sunday, October 20, 11 am – 7 pm

Where:
- Santa Barbara Museum of Art, 1130 State Street, Santa Barbara
- Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara, Paseo Nuevo Upper Arts Terrace, 653 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara