Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Car altars are on display at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Neighbors and visitors enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Neighbors and visitors enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Neighbors and visitors enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Car altars are on display at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dance Tech San Pedro performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Neighbors and visitors enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Grupo Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Eva Mintz, 7, enjoys the Monarch butterfly exhibit at San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dance Tech San Pedro performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Grupo Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Karla Jimenez and her daughter Alicia, 5, enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Grupo Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas performs at the 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Dance Tech San Pedro performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Diana Sanchez, left, Lily Alvarez and Monica Padilla are dressed up for San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Grupo Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Grupo Folklorico Almitas Mexicanas performs at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Neighbors and visitors enjoy San Pedro’s 15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
Car altars are on display at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Catrina contestants parade their extravagant outfits at the15th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival in San Pedro on Sunday October 25, 2026. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
San Pedro’s 15th annual Dia de Los Muertos Festival — one of the port town’s most popular annual events — drew throngs of people on Sunday, Oct. 25, with many turning out in costumes to enjoy live music, dancing and the popular Catrina Contest.
Day of the Dead — or Día de los Muertos — is a traditional Mexican holiday celebrated every year in late October through early November.
The observance is a joyful, celebratory gathering in which family and friends gather to pay respects and remember friends and family members who have died. It is widely observed in Mexico and among those of Hispanic and Latino heritage in other parts of the world.
San Pedro’s annual observance draws thousands to the historic downtown shopping district near the waterfront, featuring dancing, live music and Day of the Dead displays.
Sponsored by Discover San Pedro, the area’s business improvement district and the Grand Vision Foundation, this year’s event was highlighted again by the popular Catrina Costume Contest, which featured contestants in elaborate headdresses, intricate makeup and striking costumes.
Catrina is one of the most recognizable symbols of the celebration. The symbol is believed to date back to the Aztec tradition surrounding the “goddess of death.” The San Pedro contest features a procession, with entrants judged on originality, authenticity, makeup, craftsmanship and presentation.
The Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas, meanwhile, were featured this year on the main stage.
Other highlights included altars and classic car displays, handcrafted goods booths, a beer and wine garden, and this year, a special display honoring the monarch butterfly, a symbol dead loved ones’ souls that is designed to connect the cultural tradition to the natural world.