Altars, aerialists, and ‘Coco’: Coachella Valley Days of los Muertos soar at Sunnylands
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – A community altar. A birding tour in Spanish. A nighttime screening of “Coco” and the acrobatics of aerialists in calavera (skeleton art) costumes. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos at Sunnylands Center & Gardens.
The annual, five-day celebration of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos takes place Wednesday, Nov. 4, through Sunday, Nov. 8.
In the gardens, guests will find vibrant ofrendas (altars) and painted nichos (shadow boxes) decorated by local community groups and artists. Raices Cultura will host a community altar, giving the public an opportunity to honor beloved family members they’ve lost by adding their photos to the display.
On Friday, Nov. 6, Sunnylands will stay open late (until 9 p.m.) for nighttime viewing of the altars and a 6:30 p.m. showing of “Coco,” the animated movie that celebrates Día de los Muertos, in the West Gardens.
On Sunday, Nov. 8, Art Flying Aerial will stage a 15-minute Day of the Dead-themed show at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Parking and admission are free.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens is located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.
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(Editors: For photos of previous Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos observations at Sunnylands, click here. Please credit The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands.)
Schedule at a Glance
Wednesday, Nov. 4—Sunday, Nov. 8
- 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Stroll the gardens and enjoy colorful papel picado (decorative cut paper), nichos (shadow boxes) decorated by local artists, and ofrendas (altars) designed by nonprofit organizations.
- 8:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. – Bird Walk in Spanish. In partnership with Audubon California, guests may enjoy a free bird walk through the gardens with Edeli Gonzalez of the Friends of the Desert Mountains.
- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Free drop-in workshop: Piñata Candles. Participants use streamer paper, markers, scissors, and glue to decorate piñata candles.
- 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Ofrendas and nichos will be lit for nighttime viewing.
- 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – Pixar’s “Coco” (2017) will be screened in the West Gardens. Rated PG. Runtime 1 hour 45 minutes.
- 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Free workshop with registration: Seed Mosaics led by Danza Azteca Citlaltonac. Participants use seeds, beans, and other materials to create designs inspired by indigenous traditions. Go to www.sunnylands.org/events for more information and registration.
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Art Flying Aerial will perform 15-minute, Day of the Dead-themed aerial acts at the top of every hour.
