On a recent trip to San Diego, we finished dinner at Old Town Mexican Cafe, a classic Mexican spot, and weren’t ready to call it a night. A short stroll later, we were in the middle of Día de los Muertos.
Every fall, Fiesta de Reyes, inside Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, turns its plaza into Día de los Muertos: La Experiencia. Dozens of displays fill the space, from small details you almost miss to larger-than-life Catrinas, along with decorated skulls and skeletons, marigolds and altars. Everywhere I looked, there was another burst of color.
I took my time. Music was playing, and I strolled through the stores around the plaza, stopping every few steps to take in the setup. Dining, shopping and live entertainment all share the same plaza, so it’s easy to turn a quick look into a full evening.
The stores are a big part of the fun. Fiesta de Reyes has 19 locally owned specialty shops, and the range is wide: hot sauces, silver jewelry, olive oil, toys, garden decor, hand-hammered copper pieces and original artwork. There’s a candy shop stocked with Mexican sweets and a tile shop, plus Tienda, which carries Día de los Muertos art and apparel all year and says it has the largest selection of Day of the Dead merchandise in San Diego. During the season, the theme carries right from the plaza into the stores.
If you go, the 2026 season runs September 1 to November 2. It’s free and family-friendly. This year adds a new lighting package that ties the displays together, and the official site recommends late afternoon through evening to see it. Parking is free throughout Old Town, with extra spots in the Caltrans lot across Taylor Street on weekends and after 5:00 pm on weekdays. Confirm current hours before you head over.
