MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — The Middletown Art Center, or MAC, welcomes the community to join a vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on the evenings of Nov. 1 and 2 at the MAC rain or shine.

Both nights are free to the public and include a Community Ofrenda, music, dancing, craft-making with food and beverages for purchase.

Adults, teens and families with children are cordially invited to come together in a joyful and respectful commemoration of ancestors, and sharing of traditions.

“Día de los Muertos is a day of celebration because we wait with joy for the return of our loved ones who are no longer physically with us,” explained Middletown area resident Irene Martinez. “We believe that on this day all souls return. We honor them in our homes with an ofrenda, or altar, with cempasuchil – marigold flowers. We cook our loved ones’ favorite foods that they enjoyed here on earth and place them on the ofrenda. The cempasuchil flowers guide them to their ofrenda.”

On Nov. 1 from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the festivities begin at MAC with a Community Ofrenda and a special Día de los Muertos First Friday Drum Circle and Open Mic.

The public is invited to bring offerings, photographs of departed loved ones, and meaningful tokens — flowers, food and other mementos — for a shared community ofrenda.

Attendees are welcome to join the drum circle from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and/or express themselves through music, poetry and spoken word, or engage in cultural art-making activities.

Maker vendors and delicious food by Goddess of the Mountain will also be onsite. Middletown’s popular Farmers Market and “trunk or treat” Halloween fun will also be happening this Friday evening. It’s a great night to come out to Middletown.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 10 p.m., the celebration continues with a Día de los Muertos Fiesta.

The evening’s activities include a performance by Middletown High School’s folklórico dancers and DJ Smooth with traditional and contemporary Latinx music. Enjoy music, dancing, face painting, and crafts for children and adults. Traditional Mexican food and beverages will be available for purchase from La-Mixteca and Rosales Market, allowing attendees to savor authentic flavors while partaking in the festivities.

The Día de los Muertos en Middletown celebration offers a unique opportunity for community members to come together, share cultural heritage, and foster connections across generations and backgrounds. Attendees can experience firsthand how honoring the past enriches our present.

The event is supported in part by Lake County Behavioral Health Services through community based mini grant funding, by Lake County Tribal Health, and by Middletown Art Center.

Middletown Art Center is a nonprofit dedicated to engaging the public in art making, art education and art appreciation and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, striving to create an inclusive and accessible space for all.

To learn more and donate to support this or other MAC arts and cultural programs visit middletownartcenter.org.

For inquiries or further information, please contact the Middletown Art Center at 707-355-4465 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The MAC is located at 21456 State Highway 175 in Middletown.