SALINAS, Calif.  – On Thursday, October 30, 2025, Hospice Giving Foundation, in collaboration with Hartnell College and Hijos Del Sol Arts Productions, will celebrate the fifth annual Día de los Muertos event from 6:00 -8:00 p.m.  This is a free community gathering to honor and remember our loved ones who are no longer with us. 

This year, the event features multiple agencies providing information, entertainment, and resources. The afternoon will culminate with a procession, a program filled with music, dance, and song featuring Folklorico Raices Mestizas de Watsonville, Los Lupeños de San Jose, Mariachi Hermanos Muratalla, Oceloyotl, Hartnell College Chamber Music Ensemble. In addition, the Student Center and Steinbeck Hall will be filled with altars dedicated to loved ones.

“Día de los Muertos brings families and neighbors together in celebration and remembrance,” said Erin White, President and CEO of Hospice Giving Foundation. “Our partnership with Hartnell College and Hijos del Sol reflects a shared commitment to honoring life, supporting one another through loss, and creating space for conversations about care and dignity at the end of life.”

Día de los Muertos, a tradition deeply rooted in Mexican culture, pays tribute to our departed loved ones. The event includes ofrendas of sugar skulls, candles, marigolds, and more. Families unite in honor of their ancestors to bridge the worlds of the living and the deceased.

Though talking about death can be difficult, Dia de los Muertos provides a different way to think about death. It's a beautiful and tradition-filled way for families to celebrate life with music, art, and altars; to show our deep love for those no longer in our physical world, and to share love with our community.

The event promises an evening filled with colorful altars, artistic displays, traditional music, and culinary delights that pay homage to this tradition. Families, friends, and community members are invited to join us for a heartwarming and educational experience.

We look forward to welcoming you to Hartnell College on October 30th, as we come together to celebrate, remember, and embrace the cultural richness of Día de los Muertos.

ABOUT HOSPICE GIVING FOUNDATION

Hospice Giving Foundation is a nonprofit organization that works to support compassionate end-of-life care, advance community understanding, and provide resources for those facing life-limiting illnesses. Through partnerships and community involvement, Hospice Giving Foundation strives to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families during their most challenging times. For more information, visit www.hospicegiving.org.