Save the date: Dia de los Muertos Festival Sunday October 26, 2025!
It’s that time again! MOLAA is gearing up for its annual Day of the Dead free family festival set for Sunday October 26!
Through this year's theme, RESILIENCE, we celebrate our community and our capacity to endure and overcome hardship and difficulties. In doing so, we recognize and honor the endurance and legacy of our ancestors.
If you have any questions, please call us at 562-437-1689 or email education@molaa.org
#MOLAADayOfTheDead #MOLAADiaDeLosMuertos
F.A.Q.s
We are excited to welcome you to our 2025 Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, October 26th!
Important to note the following:
The event is FREE to attend. Reservations are required.
Parking at MOLAA will be $15.00 per car on this day (Cash or Credit Card payment accepted)
Backpacks and large bags are NOT allowed in the museum; please leave oversized items at home or in your vehicle (Limited small lockers available).
Bike rack space is available (limited); Skateboards, scooters, and roller skates are NOT allowed in the museum, and storage is NOT available.
Stage Program At a Glance
11:00 AM Opening Remarks / DJ Caveman ON STAGE ALL DAY
12:00 PM Ballet Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas
1:00 PM DJ CAVEMAN Live DJ Set
2:00 PM Cultura Revolución Performing Arts: Folklorico and Mariachi Ensemble
3:00 PM Catrina/Catrin Contest + Sponsor Call
3:15 PM DJ CAVEMAN Live DJ Set
4:15 PM La Nueva Ola de Cumbia
Stage Program
ALL DAY - DJ Caveman
DJ Caveman will have you dancing to Oldies, Funk, Old school, Freestyle, New Wave/Post Punk, House, Hip Hop 90’s, 2000’s and Up, R&B, Rock en español, Cumbias, Merengue, and more! You can find him on Facebook and Instagram as @DJCavemanLA.
Ballet Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas
We are Ballet Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas based in the South Bay region of Southern California. Our group was established in 2023 by Director, Nancy Rangel.
We believe in union, culture and passion. Our mission is to keep our tradition alive and share our rich roots. We perform with great joy, effort and admiration. Ballet Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas has performed at Knott’s Berry Farm and the Crypto.com Arena for special cultural performances and looks forward to performing at MOLAA for their 2025 Dia de Los Muertos Festival!
Cultura Revolución Performing Arts: Folklorico and Mariachi Ensemble
Cultura Revolución is a Non-Profit Performing Arts program in City Terrace offering music and dance classes. Our mission is to provide accessible high-quality instruction of mariachi and ballet folklórico to a historically Mexican American community. We focus on enriching the lives of often underprivileged students by fostering positive youth development through the Mexican performing arts. Our professional performance teams showcase the artistic excellence of our most dedicated students, representing Mexican cultural traditions at prestigious venues and events. These elite groups collaborate with renowned artists like Los Tigres del Norte, Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, and Luis Miguel, performing at locations such as the Hollywood Bowl and major cultural festivals throughout Southern California. In their pursuit of promoting the Mexican Folklorico traditions they carry the following values: Access and Opportunity, Cultural Resistance & Resilience, Educational Pathways, Artistic Excellence, Community & Belonging, Equity and Inclusion, Mentorship, Prevention Through Engagement, Partnerships and Collaboration.
La Nueva Ola de Cumbia
An explosion of rhythm, energy and humor. Specialists in cumbializing the greatest hits of the 80’s, 90’s, and beyond. In Spanish and English. Their identities are a secret. Their faces hidden under colorful luchador masks. Formerly known as “El Conjunto Nueva Ola” or ECNO. They are reborn with a new name and new female singers. Seasoned performers for over a decade. They have performed in massive stadiums like the Crypto.com Arena and The Honda Center as well as multiple festivals and city organized special events all across the United States. Countless appearances on national (US) and international television. LA NUEVA OLA X EL TRI Shared the stage with giants like Los Tigres del Norte, Cafe Tacvba, Los Angeles Azules, Marco Antonio Solis, J Balvin, and many more.
3PM Catrina/Catrin Contest
Please visit the MOLAA booth in the Viva Events Center between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM to register for our annual Catrina/Catrin Contest! You must sign our image release form and be present in person between 3PM and 4PM for the live judging and announcement. If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must be present to authorize your participation. The children's category is for children 12 years old and under, and the adult category is for children 13 years old and up.
Who may enter? Anyone may enter! We have two categories. Ages 13 and up, and Children 12 and under.
Do I need to look like a traditional Catrina/Catrin? You may interpret any type of Catrinas/Catrins for the contest, including traditional Catrinas/Catrins modeled after José Guadalupe Posada, the Catrinas/Catrins of a famous icon, or a contemporary interpretation of a Catrinas/Catrins.
Will any type of costume not be accepted? Participants must appear to be Catrinas/Catrins and costumes must be family friendly.
Where do I check-in/register? Check in takes place from 11 AM until 2:30 PM at the MOLAA Booth in the Viva Events Center. 2:30 PM is the FINAL CUT OFF FOR REGISTRATION. NO EXCEPTIONS.
What do I need to do to register? You will need to sign a photo release form and then have your picture taken. You will be assigned an entry number. DO NOT LOSE YOUR NUMBER.
Why do I have to sign a Photo Release form? Any photographs that will be taken during the festival may be used for future educational or promotional purposes, in order to illustrate the programs we organize at MOLAA.
What is my number for? The number identifies you as officially registered. Jurors will identify you by your number during the jurying process. We will also use it to line you up for the Catrina/Catrin contest on stage.
Where do I go for the Catrina/Catrin contest? The Catrina/Catrin contest takes place on the garden stage at 3:00 p.m. You are required to meet by the stage at 2:45PM. Line up in numerical order, beginning with number 01. A MOLAA volunteer in a pink shirt will be there to assist you.
What happens during the Catrina/Catrin contest? You will be asked to step up on the stage, walk across it and then line up on the back of the stage. If you need accessibility assistance, do let a festival volunteer know. Please do not pause for long periods of time on the stage. You may take pictures after the Catrina/Catrin contest.
When are winners announced? Finalist are announced immediately following the Catrina/Catrin contest on stage and will be called back up on stage by their numbers. The winners of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will be chosen by audience cheers and our three judges. The grand prize goes to best overall costume.
Must I be present to receive my prize? Yes, you must be present to receive your prize if you win.
Can I take pictures with visitors? Yes, we STRONGLY encourage you to take pictures with visitors on the day of the event!
What are the prizes? For the adult contest: The Grand Prize is a $500.00 Gift Card. Second Place is a $250.00 Gift Card. Third Place is a $150 Gift Card. For the 12 and under: Grand Prize is a one week scholarship to MOLAA’s 2026 Bilingual Summer Camp in July and 2nd and 3rd place each receive a MOLAA Store Gift Basket.
Is there a male and female category? No. There are no gender restrictions.
Art Workshops
Build Your Own Lowriders with Jacqueline Valenzuela (East Los Angeles, California, 1997)
Jacqueline is an interdisciplinary artist and MFA candidate at UCLA. Her work bridges fine art with Chicano lowrider culture, exploring personal and communal narratives. She has exhibited nationally and collaborated with major institutions and brands, while leading community-centered workshops across Southern California.
Photo by Argel Rojo, Courtesy of Los Angeles Performance Practice
Traditional face painting from Calaveras Zapotecas group!
Sugar Skulls by Kalaveritas y Mas!
Gastronomy
Local Merchants and Artisans
35+ local craftspeople, artisans, and businesses!
Allie Tagua Jewelry; Nuestra Vida; Mextica; For My Homegirls; Hecho by Caye; Zuaycreatex; Suculenteando.LA; Evil Illustrations; Curios Mirabelle; Viva La Vida Jewelry; Los Comex; Saldivarte; Lucha Libre Nation; Sol de Cobre; Mis Nopales; Lil’ Libros; Yo soy Tierra; Sazon Grip; Con Todo Press; La Catrina Folk Art; La Catrinita Crafts; Hey Rockee; Chica Curls; Mexisons Creations; Art of Rob; Rituals n Potions; Tribu; Mundo Maya Foundation; Yarn Plus Art; Contreras Creations; Mawisa Handicraft; Ancestra; Cisele; Walter Mercado Media; Little Dreamers Publishing
Community Partners
SPONSORS
Port of Long Beach, Department of Arts & Culture - Los Angeles County, Hyundai Motor America
