Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a historic Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of loved ones who have died. The holiday is traditionally observed on Nov. 1-2.
Celebrations typically involve altars (called ofrendas) that honor the dead with their photos and favorite foods. Other Día de Los Muertos customs include traditional feasts, festive face painting, sugar skull decorating and gifting, and visiting cemeteries to honor dead loved ones at their grave, which may be decorated with candles and marigolds (also called cempazúchitl).
For those who would like to celebrate Día de Los Muertos with community members, here’s where to go don your best skull face in Sonoma County.
This roundup was compiled with the help of previous reporting in The Press Democrat by Raquel Issenberg of La Prensa Sonoma. Lea su versión completa en español aquí.
Sugar skull workshop for kids, through October
Decorate sugar skulls with Elsa Tapia, hosted by the Sonoma County Library Network, throughout October. Open to grades K-6. Free. All Sonoma County libraries, events.sonomalibrary.org
Museum of Sonoma County Día de los Muertos Exhibition, through Nov. 2
The Museum of Sonoma County’s 29th annual Día de los Muertos exhibit, which opened Sept. 13 and runs through Nov. 2, explores traditional and contemporary artistic expressions of Day of the Dead. The exhibit features artists such as Jesus Bravo, Liz Camino-Byers, Nathan Gomez, Cristina M. Briano and Ruben Guzman. The exhibit also includes a community altar that visitors can contribute to. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, 707-579-1500, museumsc.org
Ofrenda Exhibit in Petaluma, through Nov. 2
Eight artists showcase ofrendas and artwork commemorating the holiday, on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Nov. 2 at Petaluma Historical Library & Museum. Includes poster and T-shirt designs. Free. 20 Fourth St., Petaluma, visitpetaluma.com/event/el-dia-de-los-muertos-2
LumaFest, Oct. 18
Santa Rosa Junior College’s annual open house and Día de los Muertos celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 18, on the Petaluma campus. The free, family-friendly festival will include ofrendas, lectures, live performances, food trucks, club and community booths, science shows and art activities, such as skull decorating. Learn more at lumafest.santarosa.edu. 680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, 707-778-2415, petaluma.santarosa.edu
Block Party at the Museum of Sonoma County, Oct. 18
Performances, art, food and a lowrider parade will take place from noon to 4 p.m., Oct. 18, down Seventh Street in Santa Rosa. Free. 425 Seventh St., Santa Rosa, museumsc.org/ddlm2025
Santa Rosa Día de los Muertos, Oct. 18
Altars, live music, face painting, more than 40 vendors, authentic Mexican food and a Cantina Garden will be among the attractions at a Día de los Muertos celebration from 1-6 p.m., Oct. 18, at Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. Free. 600 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, cloverdalecreative.org/event-details/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration-santa-rosa
Día de los Muertos Movie Night, Oct. 24
Sonoma’s La Luz Center will partner with California State Parks for a Día de los Muertos-themed movie night from 5:30-9:30 p.m., Oct. 24, at the Sonoma Barracks. The event will include a screening of the 2014 film “The Book of Life” along with food, music and activities for the family. Reserve a spot on Eventbrite. Free. Sonoma Barracks, 36 E. Spain St., Sonoma, 707-938-5131, laluzcenter.org
Healdsburg Día de Muertos, Oct. 26
Nonprofit Corazón Healdsburg and the city of Healdsburg will host a Día de los Muertos celebration from noon to 6 p.m., Oct. 26, on the Healdsburg Plaza. The free event will include a community altar, live music performances, a classic car show, face painting, games, crafts and other activities for children. Healdsburg Plaza, corazonhealdsburg.org
Las Cafeteras – Hasta La Muerte, Oct. 30
Los Angeles band Las Cafeteras will bring a Day of the Dead-inspired show blending music, dance and storytelling starting at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 30, at Sonoma State University’s Green Music Center. Tickets range from $31-$81. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, gmc.sonoma.edu/las-cafeteras
Annual Santa Rosa Día de los Muertos, Nov. 1-2
This event, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 1-2, honors ancestors with community altars and celebrates cultural heritage through art and connection. Free. Old Courthouse Square, 600 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, santarosametrochamber.com/events/annual-santa-rosa-día-de-los-muertos-2025
Sonoma Plaza Día de Muertos, Nov. 1
Music, altars, food, face painting, art vendors and Cantina Garden from 3-8 p.m., Nov. 1, on the Sonoma Plaza. Free. 453 First St. E., Sonoma, eventeny.com/events/dia-de-muertos-celebration-sonoma-plaza-20380
Windsor Día de Muertos, Nov. 1
Procession, Pomo and Aztec dancers, mariachi, children’s activities, artisan market and lowrider show from 4-8 p.m., Nov. 1, on the Windsor Town Green. Free. 701 McClelland Drive, Windsor, somoswindsor.org/windsor-muertos
Petaluma Día de los Muertos Procession, Nov. 1
Community procession from 4-10 p.m., Nov. 1, from St. Vincent de Paul Rectory to Petaluma Museum, ending with a folklórico performance. Free. 35 Liberty St., Petaluma, bit.ly/petaluma-procession-2025
Día de los Muertos Fiesta at Keller Estate, Nov. 1
Keller Estate will host a Día de los Muertos fiesta from 5-7:30 p.m., Nov. 1, in Petaluma. The event will include a community ofrenda, traditional music, Mexican cuisine and estate wines. $60 per person. 5875 Lakeville Highway, Petaluma, 707-765-2117, kellerestate.com
Sonoma Community Center Día de Muertos, Nov. 1
Kids’ activities, altar lighting, folklórico performance and free food from 5:30-7 p.m., Nov. 1, at the Sonoma Community Center. Free. 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma, sonomacommunitycenter.org/dia-de-muertos
Día de los Muertos at La Luz, Nov. 3
La Luz Center will host its annual Día de los Muertos celebration starting at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 3, in Sonoma. The event will include food, live music, Quetzalen dancing, face painting and other activities. Free. La Luz Center, 17560 Greger St., Sonoma, 707-938-5131, laluzcenter.org