Día de los Muertos Celebration

A two-part Día de los Muertos Celebration of remembrance, family, and community.

Thank you for joining us!

Two sugar candy skulls sitting on a blanketed table at a Día de los Muertos Celebration

The San Diego Automotive Museum held our first-ever Día de los Muertos Celebration, honoring the rich traditions of this meaningful holiday with a day of family-friendly activities followed by an unforgettable evening of live music.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed. At the heart of the celebration are remembrance, family, and community. As part of the museum’s celebration, guests had the opportunity to experience traditional elements of Día de los Muertos while surrounded by some of the world’s most beautiful and historic vehicles.

Two Celebrations. One Special Day.

Daytime Activities at the Museum & Evening Concert with DannyV

Día de los Muertos was celebrated at the San Diego Automotive Museum with two unique experiences on Saturday, October 10, 2026. During the day there were family-friendly activities included with regular museum admission, then guests returned in the evening for a concert featuring DannyV and special guest Vanessa Vindell.

Daytime Celebration

During the day families celebrated at the San Diego Automotive Museum and experienced Día de los Muertos-inspired activities.

Guests explored ofrendas, enjoyed a special Día de los Muertos photo opportunity, met Catrinas, and more. Guests were also welcomed to bring a photo of a loved one who has passed to contribute to the museum’s public ofrenda, creating a shared space for remembrance and honoring those who came before us.

A beautiful Catrina at a Día de los Muertos Celebration.

Guests can explore ofrendas, enjoy a special Día de los Muertos photo opportunity, meet Catrinas, and more. Guests are also welcome to bring a photo of a loved one who has passed to contribute to the museum’s public ofrenda, creating a shared space for remembrance and honoring those who came before us.

The celebration will also feature lowriders in the museum’s back dirt lot, bringing together automotive culture and the traditions of the holiday.

A family walking into the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park

The celebration also featured lowriders in the museum’s back dirt lot, bringing together automotive culture and the traditions of the holiday.

Daytime activities were included with regular museum admission, and members received their usual member admission benefits.

Evening Celebration

As the sun went down, the celebration continued with a special evening featuring Latino independent artist DannyV, a Watsonville, California-based musician known for his soulful sound and heartfelt music.

All ages were welcome.

DannyV brought an evening of music, great vibes, and unforgettable memories to the San Diego Automotive Museum, performing fan favorites including “My Baby,” “I NEED YOU,” “One Last Chance,” “Morning Coffee,” and more.

Plus, there was a special opening performance by Vanessa Vindell.

The evening celebration also featured an ofrenda and special Día de los Muertos elements throughout the museum.

DannyV will bring an evening of music, great vibes, and unforgettable memories to the San Diego Automotive Museum, performing fan favorites including “My Baby,” “I NEED YOU,” “One Last Chance,” “Morning Coffee,” and more.

Plus a special opening performance by Vanessa Vindell.

The evening celebration will also feature an ofrenda and special Día de los Muertos elements throughout the museum.

A photo of a sugar candy skull sitting amongst lit candles and flowers on an ofrenda.

Evening Schedule

6:00–7:00pm VIP Meet & Greet 
7:00pm Doors Open 
8:30–9:00pm Opening Performance by Vanessa Vindell 
9:00pm DannyV Performance

Our Sponsors

Thank you to our wonderful event sponsors. If you’re interested in being a sponsor for a future event, please contact Monica Moreno at (619) 398-0316 or monica@sdautomuseum.org.

Featured Vendors

Great events are made possible by great local partners. Get to know the featured vendors that helped make this event possible.