Downtown Redwood City was alive with colorful sugar skulls, marigolds, music, costumes, and cheers on Nov. 3 as thousands gathered to celebrate Día de los Muertos.
“We are celebrating the life of the people who left us,” said Veronica Escamez, president of Casa Círculo Cultural. “There’s a belief that the souls of these people are allowed to come back home on Nov. 1st and 2nd.”
On Sunday, Courthouse Square turned into a vibrant, cultural celebration featuring live music, Catrinas, traditional dancers, local art, and a procession that walked through downtown. The event was hosted by Casa Círculo Cultural and the San Mateo County History Museum in partnership with Friends of the Redwood City Library.
Casa Círculo Cultural has been organizing the Día de los Muertos in Redwood City for the last 13 years and each year celebrates a unique theme. This year’s theme drew inspiration from Diego Rivera’s iconic mural, which prominently features La Catrina, a skeletal figure dressed in lavish clothing and adorned with a large, ornate hat.
Originally created as a satirical figure by Mexican printmaker José Guadalupe Posada in the early 1900s, La Catrina was a way to critique Mexico’s societal inequalities, especially the pretensions of the elite under the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz. She symbolized the idea that death is the great equalizer—it touches everyone, regardless of wealth or status.
Diego Rivera further immortalized La Catrina in his 1940 mural, where she stands at the heart of Mexico’s story, embodying the reminder of mortality and unity. The theme honored La Catrina as a symbol of social equality and a universal reminder that death transcends social and economic divides. Escamez added that through this theme, Redwood City celebrated the spirit of Día de los Muertos as a time to recognize shared humanity, appreciating both life and death as common experiences.
“It’s a beautiful celebration of the cycle of life. Even though some people have lost loved ones or pets, there is still a connection. This day allows us to make a conscious effort to bring them back into our lives and experiences,” said Laurie Lenron, one of the performers at the Day of the Dead.
In front of Courthouse Square, people set up ofrendas or altars to honor their loved ones—some, like Maria Sánchez and Jorge Moreno, created their displays in the trunks of their vintage cars.
“I like to make the altar very formal and traditional. I put out their favorite snacks. In this case, there’s pumpkin seeds and peanuts with chili on them,” said Sánchez, referring to the loved ones she and her partner Moreno have lost. “My dad loved tangerines and mangoes, so we have those too.”
Inside the San Mateo County Museum were eight altars. While some were built for individuals and families, others were dedicated to victims of domestic violence and war.
“War tears apart the fabric of daily life, leaving individuals displaced, grieving and struggling to rebuild amidst ruins,” read the card underneath the altar honoring children who were victims of war. “In the wake of war, these individuals endure lasting pain, reminding us of the profound human cost of conflict.”
The museum also had an arts and crafts section where children could make catrinas and papel picados.
Outside, Courthouse Square buzzed with energy, featuring traditional dances, choir performances, and lively mariachi music.
The group Los Charros de Tlaxcala traveled from Tlaxcala, a small state in central Mexico, to perform. According to member Rene Mendleta, they have been part of Redwood City’s celebration for the past eight years. Their performance, celebrating the Earth, features vibrant costumes with flowing capes and ornate hats.
“The outfits are all handmade and they take about a year to sew,” added Rene.
Three musical groups directed by Martha Rodríguez from the Community Music Center in San Francisco performed a set of five songs. The groups included the intergenerational Mariachi CMC ensemble, composed of both youth and adults and two choirs, Coro Solera and Centro Latino, which are neighborhood choirs for older adults and adults with disabilities. All three groups are part of community-centered programs that offer free access to music and bring people of different ages and abilities together through song.
Their performance honored 19th and 20th-century Mexican artists, including Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Guadalupe Posada, who each conveyed messages of social justice, identity, and revolution. Some performers dressed as soldiers, representing the spirit of the Mexican Revolution and evoking the era’s call for change. The performance aimed to capture a rich historical legacy and pay homage to Mexico’s revolutionary past.
Rodríguez shared that the goal of the performance was to emphasize the timeless nature of music and culture, celebrating ancestors who have passed but live on in memory.
The event not only honored those who have lost their lives but also brought together community members, old and new.
Rodolfo Hernandez, who moved to Redwood City four months ago, said events like this makes “you feel like a part of the community.”
“I’m just very, very glad to have these types of events that just bring everyone together,” he added.