Petaluma’s El Día de Los Muertos Celebration Marks 25 Years of Honoring an Ancient Tradition.
Petaluma’s El Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead celebration marks its 25th year, honoring a cultural tradition that’s been practiced for centuries. Each fall, the city comes alive with color, memory, and reverence as community members gather to pay tribute to loved ones who’ve passed. The citywide event was founded in 2000 by Abraham Solar and Marjorie Helm, who says, “We have a debt of gratitude that, after 25 years, the cross-cultural team of coordinators of El Día de los Muertos, Petaluma and their community partners continue to offer Petaluma the opportunity to remember, in community, loved ones who have died and to celebrate the arts and culture of Latin and South America.” It’s a celebration of life as much as death—come for the altars, stay for the music, dancing, and joy.
Petaluma El Día de los Muertos 2025 Calendar of Events
Opening Day and Health Fair
Sunday | October 5 | 12 noon–4pm
St. Vincent’s Church Plaza, 35 Liberty St, Petaluma
Art, altars, and community altar
October 5–November 2
Altars are displayed in various store windows downtown
Community Altar at Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, 20 4th Street, Petaluma
Artist Reception
Saturday | October 11 | 6pm–9pm
Collective of eight local Día de Los Muertos artists
Community altar and five additional altars
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum 20 4th Street, Petaluma
Poetry of Remembrance/Poesía de Recuerdo
Saturday | October 25 | 6pm–8pm
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum 20 4th Street, Petaluma
Candlelight Procession and Closing Event
Saturday | November 1 | 4pm–10pm
Aztec dancers, Catrina contest, Ballet Folklorico Paquitollotzin, music by Mateo Guzman, Danza de Diablos, face painting, food and art vendors and more.
Petaluma Historical Library & Museum 20 4th Street, Petaluma
Candlelight Procession
Saturday | November 1 | 5:30pm Gather at St.Vincent’s church plaza
6:00 p.m. Candlelight procession to Petaluma Historical Library & Museum
Street closure on 4th and B streets
For more information, visit them on Facebook: El Dia de Los Muertos Petaluma