One thing I’ve always wanted to do was go to an authentic Day of the Dead festival. Since I found out I was moving to San Diego (with it’s vicinity to Mexico), I knew I could finally attend one without having to go south of the border. After a bit of research I came across the Sherman Height’s 22nd Annual Muertos Festival. 

Day of the Dead

The Muertos Festival is San Diego’s most authentic and longstanding Dia de los Muertos celebration. Here you are able to find community altars, live performances, food and shopping. 

I loved the decorations throughout the community centre. 

The Altars

Because of the recent influx of sugar skulls, it’s sometimes hard to remember that Day of the Dead is really about praying and remembering those who we have lost. It was beautiful to see these community altars and get a true sense about what this holiday is actually about. 

Shopping

There were tons of stalls selling authentic Mexican wears and traditional Day of the Dead goods. I managed to pick up some sugar skull molds (on the odd occasion I would actually want to hand make some.) 

Food

The authentic food smelled amazing, however with my gastritis I was not able to try any of it.

My Outfit

I decided to dress for the occasion. For anyone who knows me, I like to go as all out “theme” as I can. I wore this embroidered tank dress from Urban Outfitters. The colours and patterns were fun and festive, without being over the top. (I thought the dress I bought in Old Town might have been overkill.) The photo booth they had set up was great and made for the perfect photo op.Keeping with the Day of the Dead theme, I also wore my worry doll bracelet and earring that I picked up recently in Playa del Carmen. While I couldn’t find any worry doll jewelry in the stalls, they did sell the dolls on headbands or alone. 

I had a great time spending the afternoon at this festival. It was smaller in size, but made up for it with big colours, tradition and live performances.