Check out these Día de los Muertos events across Ventura County

A variety of events for Día de los Muertos, which honors the memory of deceased loved ones, are planned across Ventura County in coming weeks. Also known as Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday is observed Nov. 1 and 2, but often events start weeks earlier. Local organizers have planned celebrations

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A variety of events for Día de los Muertos, which honors the memory of deceased loved ones, are planned across Ventura County in coming weeks.

Also known as Day of the Dead, the Mexican holiday is observed Nov. 1 and 2, but often events start weeks earlier.

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center will host its annual Dia de los Muertos celebration on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022.

Local organizers have planned celebrations, art, activities and community ofrendas – an altar or offering space created to remember loved ones who have died.

Some events may reach full capacity. Check with organizers or venues for cancellations, schedule changes or availability before attending.

Camarillo

Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Nov.

3. Camarillo Library lobby, 4101 Las Posas Road. A community ofrenda is on display. People can bring in copies of pictures to the second floor reference desk through Nov. 1 to be displayed. camarillolibrary.org.

CSUCI Ofrenda: An ofrenda created for CSU Channel Islands students and their families will be displayed at various hours through Nov. 6 at Broome Library, 1320 Exhibition Hall, 1 University Drive. The Inclusive Student Services Center is partnering with the Latinx Cultural Center and MEChA for the ofrenda. Library hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday; Closed Saturday; 1-9 p.m. Sunday. csuci.edu/events.

Newbury Park

El Festival de los Muertos Celebration: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 7. Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road. Conejo Recreation & Park District will host the event featuring arts and crafts, live music, vendors and food. www.crpd.org/muertos.

Ojai

Micailhuitl: Días de los Muertos: Topa Institute Retreat Center, 9739 N. Ojai Road. Free. topa.institute.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 25, attendees can visit the community ofrenda and bring offerings or photographs of loved ones or pets who have died as part of a community visiting day.
1:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 1, attendees can listen to talks, enjoy the land, listen to music and eat food. Please RSVP at topa.institute.

Oxnard

Día de los Muertos celebration: 5-9 p.m. Oct. 25. Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. A large community ofrenda and individual ofrendas, retail vendors, food, live music, art activities and artists. Free. theopac.org/dia-de-los-muertos.

Día de los Muertos celebration: A Mass and blessing of the altars at noon Nov. 7 at Santa Clara Cemetery & Mortuary, 2370 N. H St. A cultural celebration begins at 1:30 p.m. and the event, featuring folkloric dancers, live music and children’s activities, concludes at 5 p.m. catholiccm.org/diadelosmuertos.

The Día de los Muertos community altar, is on display in mid-October at The Collection in Riverpark in Oxnard. The altar, in partnership with Oxnard Performing Arts Center, is available to view through Nov. 2.

Día de los Muertos Community Altar: On display now through Nov. 2 at The Collection at RiverPark, 600 Town Center Drive. The altar is between The Cheesecake Factory and Larsen's Grill. The altar is created in partnership with the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Nonprofit. The Collection is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday. thecollectionrp.com/portfolio/dia-de-los-muertos-community-altar.

Día de los Muertos Community Altar: Nov. 1-3 outside of the steps of the Carnegie Art Museum, 424 S. C St. The opening ceremony for the community altar is at 5 p.m. Nov. 1 to honor Día de los Angelitos, or a day to remember the children. People can visit the altar 24 hours a day, but there is no music between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. The altar is able to accept items from 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Nov. 2 and 3. Nov. 2 is Día de los Difuntos, or a day to remember the adults. Nov. 3 concludes with Día de los Muertos, or a farewell day celebrating all who have died. oxnard.gov/event/dia-de-los-muertos.

Santa Paula

Free Family Day: Día de los Muertos: Nov. 1 at three locations. For more information, visit www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/event/ddlm-2026.

Noon-3 p.m. Santa Paula Art Museum’s Cole Creativity Center, 123 N. 10th St. The center will offer face painting, special Día de los Muertos art installations and an opportunity to build and decorate your own cardboard nicho, or mini altar, with guest artist Haya Cuzick. Inlakech Cultural Arts Center’s youth mariachi and Folklórico dancers will perform at 1:30 p.m. Guests will also have access to the art museum grounds. Free.
Noon-3 p.m. Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Ave. The agricultural museum will feature hands-on activities, including sugar skull decorating, face painting and paper marigold making with a special presentation of Día de los Muertos history and traditions at 12:30 p.m. Free.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery on 380 Cemetery Road. Ofrenda or altar making, face painting and other activities are scheduled. Mass at 1 p.m. with blessing of graves to follow. Folklórico dancers to perform at 2 p.m., followed by Aztec dancers at 3 p.m. Celebration also includes food and live mariachi music. Free.

Thousand Oaks

Craft Table: Paper Sugar Skull Mask: Noon-5 p.m. Nov. 1; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 2. Grant R. Brimhall Library in children’s library, 1401 E. Janss Road. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road. Stop by the library to color a paper sugar skull. Free. www.tolibrary.org.

Lotería de Muertos: 3-4 p.m. Nov. 2. Grant R. Brimhall Library Marvin E. Smith Community Room, 1401 E. Janss Road. For ages 5 and older. The family-friendly game Lotería! is Inspired by the Mexican bingo-style game and participants use colorful cards with Día de los Muertos images and symbols. Free. www.tolibrary.org.

Ventura

Día de los Muertos Downtown Ventura street festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 1. Centered at Main and California streets. More than 200 lowrider cars, four musical areas, mariachi and cultural dance, community altars, art exhibitions and more. Free. DowntownVentura.org.

Día de los Muertos Celebration: 4-8 p.m. Nov. 2. Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Free event includes arts and crafts, pan de muerto and chocolate (bread to celebrate Day of the Dead) and attendees can take part in an Aztec ceremony honoring loved ones who have passed. facebook.com/BellArtsFactory.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Check out these Día de los Muertos events across Ventura County