Opportunity Details
Volunteers make a lasting impact by connecting communities with a celebration of cultural heritage. You’ll bring visibility, joy, and togetherness to a community at the heart of Santa Cruz that is often underrepresented. Here’s how you can get involved at one of the area’s most meaningful cultural celebrations.
Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead at the MAH is a dynamic celebration brought to life with and by Santa Cruz’s Latinx community.
It is a deeply meaningful and vibrant holiday, integral to Mexican heritage. It is a time to celebrate spiritual journeys, family, life, death, and the memories of deceased loved ones. Families honor those who’ve passed by making colorful alters full of flowers, candles, favorite foods, and meaningful objects. Sugar skulls (intricate edible artworks), costumes, and skeleton face painting connect people to death through joyful celebration.
Volunteers support this project in several capacities:
Evergreen Decor Squad
11 am - 3:30 pm, Evergreen Cemetery
The Dia de los Muertos parade leads to a vibrant celebration at Evergreen Cemetery. Help bring the beauty of this meaningful celebration to life by decorating the space in de los Muertos style.
Santa Cruz Mission Decor Squad
1 - 4 pm, Mission Adobe
Help decorate Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park in festive and traditional styles with Dia de los Muertos flags and marigolds. You’ll bring this stop along the parade to life with vibrant colors and beautiful decorations.
Face Painting and Parade Posse
12 - 3 pm, Museum of Art and History
Skulls and skeletons are meaningful symbols during Dia de los Muertos. Help local artists facilitate a face paint station for visitors.
Art Activity Helpers
11 am - 3 pm, Museum of Art and History
Help lead luminary and paper flower art activities for Dia de los Muertos participants.
Parade Leaders
1:30 - 4 pm, Museum of Art and History
Be a part of the area's biggest Dia de los Muertos parade from the Museum of Art and History, through Mission State Historic Park, to a vibrant celebration at Evergreen Cemetery.
Welcomers and Smile-Makers
3 - 6:30 pm, Evegreen Cemetery
Welcome participants to Evergreen Cemetery when parade arrives. You'll be the first face they see upon arriving to the beautiful decorated festival space.
People Power
10:30 am - 3 pm, Museum of Art and History or 3 - 6:30 pm, Evergreen Cemetery
Lend your top notch people power skills and help keep the parade and festival clear from traffic.
Festival Finale
5:30 - 7 pm, Evergreen Cemetery
Celebrate the culmination of a beautiful day of family, stories, art, and community. Help break down the event with MAH staff. Share your feedback and insights from the event and hang out with the folks behind the festival.
Get more information about volunteering for this project and others at the Museum of Art and History...Select the Red Express Interest button below
Age Minimum (with Adult): 10+, Minimum Age:12+, Court Ordered Volunteer - Allowed
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This link allows you to participate in this opportunity with a team. A team can be a family team, corporate team, or any kind of organized group. When you click on the link you will have the option to:
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