Producers of the event are Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO), along with the Old Town Chamber of Commerce as its community partner. Alana Coons, education director said, "This event is organically grown and comes from our belief that our city is like no other in the country, that its unique identity, historically, architecturally and culturally, make producing Día de los Muertos a perfect fit as it adds to that celebration of cultural diversity that is San Diego."

Over forty local businesses, museums, and shops will create traditional and contemporary Día de los Muertos altars creating a free walking Tour of the Altars that can be enjoyed by the whole family. There will be a variety of entertainment, live music, dancing, and complimentary refreshments such as hot chocolate and churros. Traditional arts and crafts workshops for sugar skull decoration, miniature take-home altars, paper flower making, skull face painting and more will be available for visitors. Free lectures and presentations on the history and meaning of Day of the Dead will be held daily at the Adobe Chapel as well.

A drawing for a $2,500 gift basket donated by dozens of Old Town businesses will be held on Wednesday night right before the finale of the two-day celebration: the traditional candlelight procession from the Whaley House to El Campo Santo Cemetery. There, among the gravesites of Old Town's earliest families, visitors are invited to leave offerings of their own in honor of their lost loved ones. The public altar will change throughout the two days as guests add to it in what amounts to a public art installation.

From 8 to 10pm the after parties begin! Held at major restaurants and saloons throughout Old Town including Fiesta de Reyes, El Fandango, Café Coyote, Casa Guadalajara and more! Details of various establishments can be found on the event website page.

Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life and death. It is not in any way to be confused with Halloween, which precedes it; the celebration is neither ghoulish nor morose. The holiday is spent in celebration with friends and family, as a time to offer hospitality to the spirits and to honor and remember loved ones. Coons continues, "This celebration is a means of bringing the community together to experience the tradition and culture surrounding Day of the Dead. We hope everyone will embrace the magic and leave the event with something lasting on an emotional level, as well as just having a great time."

Altars will be up for viewing on Tuesday, November 1, 11am-8pm and Wednesday November 2, 11am-8pm. Visitors will be able to watch at some locations as they build their altars and interpreters will be on hand to explain the meaning of their particular altar throughout the two-day celebration.