Dia de Los Muertos Community Celebrations

On Saturday, November 1, the museum will be transformed with Community Celebrations that are memorable, beautiful, and rich with cultural significance. This year there will be two community celebration ceremonies presented by Alice Mendoza, at 11am and 3pm, and (FREE) tickets are required to attend. An opening procession of butterfly-costumed kids will lead guests down a flower path into a museum humming with music, art and activity. Centered around a traditional ofrenda, a colorful, multi-paneled shrine created by artist Araceli Cruz, guests are encouraged to add their own mementos and stories honoring loved ones who’ve passed on. Enjoy samples of champurrado (traditional Mexican hot chocolate) and pan de muerto, make-and-take art activities, traditional face painting, and strolling musicians sharing traditional Mexican folk songs.

200 tickets will be available for each timeslot, 11am & 3pm. If you cannot register we encourage you to still visit day-of, or in days following as the ofrenda will still be accessible.

If you have high concern about large crowds, we recommend you wear a mask, or visit at a later date, the the Museum will be approaching maximum capacity all day.

10:45 AM – Guests gather for the butterfly procession from KiDiMu to BIMA.

11:00 AM – First Ceremony (ticket required)

• Free bread & chocolate available until 12:30 PM
• Live music during ceremony window

12:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• Art activities & face painting in the classroom (begin right after the first ceremony and continue all afternoon)
• Día de los Muertos videos playing in the Auditorium

2:45 PM – Guests gather for the butterfly procession from KiDiMu to BIMA.

3:00 PM – Second Ceremony (ticket required)

• Free bread & chocolate available until 4:30 PM
• Live music during ceremony window

Guest name:

Alice Mendoza and Araceli Cruz

Guest bio:

Alice Mendoza is a retired Bainbridge teacher and winner of the 2008 Island Treasure award. She continues to serve the Kitsap community through her volunteer work in schools and other organizations. She is a lead organizer of BIMA's annual Dia de Los Muertos celebrations.

Araceli Cruz, originally from Tucson, Arizona, has called Bainbridge Island Washington home since 2001. A self-taught mixed media artist and playwright, Araceli's first solo showing was in 2017 with an exhibition at the Bainbridge Island Library. As one of the key visionaries behind the Dia de Los Muertos annual festivities for the past decade, Araceli has played a pivotal role in honoring this rich tradition. In 2023, Araceli showcased her artistic prowess by presenting the thought-provoking play "Cempasuchil". Her creative work is deeply rooted in the essence of Dia de Muertos, paying homage to the celebration of life and drawing inspiration from Maya and Aztec history and hieroglyphs. Araceli's diverse portfolio encompasses a wide array of artistic expressions, from the iconic BIMA Dia de Los Muertos Ofrenda installations to striking three-dimensional mixed media pieces, unique t-shirt designs, and innovative ofrenda kits. Beyond her visual artistry, Araceli shines as the playwright behind the visually captivating production "Cempasuchil," showcasing her multifaceted talent and unwavering dedication to storytelling through various mediums.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 550 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, United States