Dia de los Muertos in Redwood City

Guests can visit Courthouse Square, which will be covered in colorful sugar skulls, marigolds and dozens of family altars telling the stories of those who have passed. Community-made altars, or ofrendas, will also be on display for an exhibition inside the San Mateo County History Museum until Nov. 8. 

Despite the abundance of skulls, Día de los Muertos is not “Mexican Halloween,” Veronica Escamez wants guests to know. Escamez, founder of Casa Círculo, said the cultural celebration is an opportunity to remember where we all come from, and where we all go. 

For Halloween, Escamez has seen people dress up as La Catrina — a tall, female skeleton that has become a strong and recognizable symbol of Día de los Muertos celebrations. Though she acknowledged most mean well, “she is not a costume,” Escamez said.  

La Catrina, just like the tradition of honoring the dead, is a deeply cultural component of Mexico. Stories say that La Catrina has been used as a revolutionary symbol, a protest against the government and a reminder that we’re all the same inside. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re white, Black, inside we are all skeletons,” Escamez said. “That’s still the same, that will always be true.” 

This message is as pertinent as ever, Escamez said. 

“For this time, it’s that important,” Escamez said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, how much money you have, we’re all going to the same place and we are the same inside.”

Many families who immigrate to the United States are not able to see or be with their loved ones when they die, Escamez said, which makes Día de los Muertos a healing celebration. Honoring ancestors and those who came before us is an ongoing lesson many people hope to learn themselves and pass on to the next generation, Escamez said. 

“For the families, this is a moment to teach their children that death is a part of life and love never dies,” Escamez said. “That’s important.” 

With heightened tensions among the Latino community amid increased immigration enforcement and anti-immigrant rhetoric, coming together to celebrate Mexican culture is particularly important. 

“We’re not here to do bad things like everyone’s saying, but to bring culture and join,” Escamez said. “It’s important for us as a community that we can celebrate in the middle of the madness.” 

Acknowledging that some families may be fearful to come out into the community, Escamez hopes residents and guests know that the celebration will be safe for everyone. Anyone who attends the Día de los Muertos celebration wants to protect the Latino community 

“I think everybody — in the possibility — I will not say fight, but they will be ready to do anything to save our community,” Escamez said. 

“Especially me,” she said. 

The Día de los Muertos celebration welcomes all who want to honor their ancestors and passed on loved ones. It will take place from 3-9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.

“It doesn’t matter if you are Catholic, Christian, if you don’t believe in anything, all of us have someone that has passed, and all of us get together for this celebration,” Escamez said.