Visitors to Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage will have a range of activities to choose from during the Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos celebration, which runs from Wednesday, October 29 through Sunday, November 2. The event honors Día de los Muertos, the Mexican holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones who have passed away.
Throughout the five-day celebration, guests can view colorful ofrendas (altars) and nichos (shadow boxes) created by local community groups and artists. They may also write haikus about grief with guidance from local poets known as The Wordkeepers. Other activities include an outdoor screening of the animated film “Coco,” opportunities to contribute photos of deceased family members to a community altar, free health screenings provided by Desert Oasis Health Care’s mobile clinic, and aerial performances featuring traditional Mexican attire and calavera face paintings.
Raices Cultura, a nonprofit based in Coachella, is inviting visitors to honor lost loved ones by contributing framed photographs (5×7 inches or smaller) for display on a community altar at Sunnylands between October 29 and November 1. Raices Cultura is one of ten organizations participating in the event, along with groups such as Safe Schools Desert Cities and Animal Samaritans.
Additional activities include arts and crafts projects attached to display boards throughout the gardens. Admission and parking are free for all guests at Sunnylands Center & Gardens, located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive.
The schedule includes daily viewing hours for the displays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours until 9 p.m. on Sunday, November 2 for nighttime viewing and the film screening. On Friday and Sunday, Desert Oasis Health Care’s mobile clinic will offer free health screenings; flu vaccinations will be available for DOHC members on Friday.
On Sunday, Art Flying Aerial will present Day of the Dead-themed aerial performances every hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., while guests can decorate piñata coffins between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The evening will feature illuminated displays followed by “Pixar’s Coco” at 6:30 p.m.
According to organizers: “Guests can view vibrant ofrendas (altars) and nichos (shadow boxes) decorated by local community groups and artists, write a haiku about grief, enjoy an outdoor screening of the movie, Coco, contribute the photo of a late family member to a community altar, get a free health screening, and watch aerial artists perform in traditional Mexican dress and calavera (skull) face paintings.”
Sunnylands’ annual event aims to bring together art, culture, remembrance, and community engagement over several days each fall.
