Seven Days, Santa Monica, Woodlawn Cemetery

Free Santa Monica Day Of The Dead Celebration This Saturday At Cemetery

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Celebrate Dia de los Muertos this Saturday at Santa Monica's Woodlawn Cemetery.

Posted Nov. 1, 2013, 9:28 am

Brenton Garen / Editor-in-Chief

Santa Monica's Woodlawn Cemetery, which has been serving the community for more than 100 years, will play host to a Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration this Saturday.

The City of Santa Monica will host the event that honors the Mexican holiday where family and friends gather to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed.

The celebration will take place from 11 am to 2 pm and will focus on the traditions that make up this celebration of life and death.

The event is free and open to all. Parking and bike valet are also free.

The event offers a variety of ways for participants to learn about the philosophy and history of the day including an opening procession with Ketzaliztli Aztec dancers.

There will also be a workshop to create offerings of marigold coronitas (crowns) and papel picado (perforated paper) for loved ones who have passed, self-guided tours of the cemetery that explore the history of local famous people, a documentary on how a small town in Mexico prepares for the celebration, a traditional Nahuatl ceremonial blessing and musicians performing throughout the cemetery to honor those who have passed.

Woodlawn Cemetery, Mortuary & Mausoleum is located at 1847 14th Street, Santa Monica.