Día de los Muertos Celebration Returns To San Mateo County

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Courthouse Square in Redwood City will be transformed for a Día de los Muertos celebration on Nov. 2 for a vibrant tribute to life and remembrance.

Hosted by Casa Círculo Cultural and the San Mateo County History Museum in partnership with the Redwood City Parks & Arts Foundation, this annual cultural event unites the community in honoring loved ones and immersing themselves in the rich traditions of this cherished holiday.

“Día de los Muertos is one of the most special days for our community,” Veronica Escamez, director and founder of Casa Círculo Cultural, told Patch. “It’s a time when we come together to honor the lives of those we love who have passed away — not with sadness, but with joy, color, and music. For many families, it’s a moment to teach their children that death is part of life, and that love never dies.”

There will be live performances, Catrina face painting, contests, local art installations, and a ceremonial procession through downtown.

“Every year, Casa Círculo Cultural chooses one region of Mexico or Latin America to inspire the decorations and installations,” Escamez told Patch. “This year, we honor Puebla — a land full of history, art, and devotion.”

Escamez told Patch the main inspiration came from the Church of Santa María Tonantzintla, an Indigenous-built temple reflecting the Mexican cosmovisión — a universe where heaven, earth, and spirit coexist. Its walls and ceilings, filled with angels, flowers, fruits, and Indigenous faces, show the deep connection between spirituality and nature, Escamez told Patch.

Visitors will discover vibrant sugar skulls, marigolds, and numerous family altars, each narrating the stories of those who have departed.

Visit the San Mateo County History Museum to see a free exhibition of community-made ofrendas, or altars, on display until Nov. 8. Children can also participate in interactive activities such as sugar skull workshops and chalk drawing.

“The altars are the heart of the celebration,” Escamez told Patch. “Each one tells a story of a grandmother who loved to cook, a father who played guitar, or a friend who made everyone laugh. Some altars are simple, others are grand, but all are made with deep love.”

Catrinas in elegant attire will greet attendees as they stroll through the square, which will also feature a festive food court adorned with papel picado and offering traditional dishes.

“We hope that everyone who comes — especially those new to Día de los Muertos — feels the warmth of our community,” Escamez told Patch. “This day is about connection, love, and remembrance. We want visitors to leave Courthouse Square with their hearts full, inspired to remember their own loved ones, and to see how honoring the past can bring us together in the present.”