2024 Dia de los Muertos Theme: Reflecting & Rejoicing
This year’s Day of the Dead celebration holds special significance as we reflect on the 60-year journey that has defined The Unity Council’s enduring legacy.
In the spirit of Day of the Dead, a vibrant and deeply rooted tradition, we pause to remember loved ones lost, whose memory continues to guide and inspire us. This sacred celebration reminds us of the importance of honoring our ancestors and cherishing the connections that transcend time and space. Their legacy fuels our dedication to fostering unity and impact.
Join us in rejoicing in the countless moments of joy, growth, and coming together in the community that have marked our path. Together, we celebrate the bonds that unite us, and the shared vision guided by our ancestors that propels us forward.
As we come together to reflect and rejoice, let us renew our commitment to our traditions and to serving our community with compassion, strength, and unwavering resolve.
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The Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival began in 1996 on International Blvd. The original goals of the Festival continue to this day: to document, celebrate, and preserve the traditional celebration of the holiday, and draw new visitors to Fruitvale and support small businesses in the area. This event has taken place rain or shine every year since, and has always been completely free, open to the public, and family-friendly.
It is believed that on this day, the Day of the Dead, the deceased are given divine consent to visit with their relatives and friends on earth. The annual reunion takes place on November 1st and 2nd, merging the Catholic holy days of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day with the Aztec Quecholli, the fourteenth month of the Aztec solar calendar that honored warriors.
Throughout its history, the Festival has used its platform to raise awareness of social justice issues and current events impacting Latinx, indigenous, and Oakland residents. Throughout the years dozens of altars created by local groups and artists have commemorated Oakland victims of gun violence, victims of the September 11th terrorist attack, memorialized the Ghostship fire, and drawn attention to inhumane detention centers for immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Taking place just before the general elections, the Festival has also been a significant opportunity to get out the vote.
Every year community members submit their design for the official Festival poster. You can view them all here, and purchase a 25th Anniversary commemorative poster from our booth in the Muertos Mercadito!
