**Save the date: Dia de los Muertos Festival Sunday October 25, 2026!** 

It’s that time again! MOLAA is gearing up for its annual Day of the Dead free family festival set for Sunday October 25! This year, we are celebrating 30 years of gratitude in honor of MOLAA’s 30th Anniversary!

If you have any questions, please email education@molaa.org

#MOLAADayOfTheDead #MOLAADiaDeLosMuertos

RSVP Here

Stage Program At a Glance

11:00 AM Opening Remarks / DJ Caveman ON STAGE ALL DAY

12:00 PM Neiya Arts Ballet Folklorico

1:00 PM DJ CAVEMAN Live DJ Set

2:00 PM Colibrí Dance Theatre

3:00 PM Catrina/Catrin Contest + Sponsor Call

4:00 PM La Nueva Diligencia

5:00PM PM Close of Stage Program

F.A.Q.s

We are excited to welcome you to our 2026 Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, October 25th!

Important to note the following:

The event is FREE to attend. Reservations are not required. Walk-ins are welcome.
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

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.

12:00PM Neiya Arts

Neiya Arts is a Contemporary Folklorico Dance Group based out of the Long Beach/ Carson area and founded in 2015 to preserve and diffuse Mexican culture and traditions. Neiya Arts adds an element of history and storytelling, allowing students to understand the dance and build appreciation. It bridges the past to the present, enabling students to connect with music, dance, history, culture, art, and their stories. They provide a positive outlet for students to grow, express their creativity, and showcase their talents.

2:00PM Colibrí Dance Theatre

Colibrí Dance Theatre is a home for movement and meaningful storytelling. We are a multifaceted dance company rooted in spirit and the quiet power of the body in motion.

Inspired by the hummingbird—a symbol of resilience, healing, joy, and freedom—we create dances that live between breath and memory. Our work is swift but intentional—hovering just long enough to stir something within you.

We craft pieces that amplify stories and voices too often left unheard. Our work blends grounded technique with a touch of magical realism, honoring the many identities and lineages within our company. It is this rich diversity that shapes our collective.

Our Mission

Colibri Dance Theatre brings movement and memory together to celebrate our diverse identities, honor our ancestors, and amplify voices too often left unheard. Through dance, theatre and storytelling, we aim to empower past, present, and future generations to embrace the deep history, complexities, beauty, and resilience of our community, and awaken the courage to tell their own stories.

3:00PM 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.

F.A.Q.s

We are excited to welcome you to our 2026 Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, October 25th!

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.

4:00PM La Nueva Diligencia

La Nueva Diligencia es un grupo de música folklórica que cautiva a su público con melodías y letras llenas de significado y arraigo cultural. Con su música, llevan a sus seguidores a un viaje sonoro por la vasta riqueza de la música tradicional. Se destacan por su habilidad para equilibrar el respeto por la tradición con una frescura actual, creando piezas que hablan tanto a la generación más mayor como a la más joven. Su objetivo es llevar a la música folklórica a nuevas audiencias y seguir propagando la riqueza de su patrimonio cultural. No te pierdas la oportunidad de vivir una experiencia única en los próximos espectáculos de La Nueva Diligencia!