An outdoor screening of Coco and colorful altars adorned with skeleton figures, flowers, candles, and photos will mark the return of Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos to Sunnylands Center & Gardens in November.
Coachella Valley Days of Los Muertos runs from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6 at Sunnylands. From 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the public is invited to the gardens to see the ofrendas, or altars, that community groups erect to represent their organizations, as well as nichos, or shadow boxes, that have been decorated by local artists. Guests will also find information boards in the gardens with facts on Día de Los Muertos and take-home activities.
Special events include:
- Coco (rated PG) will be shown on the Great Lawn starting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4. In this animated film, Miguel, an aspiring musician, goes in search of his great-great-grandfather in the Land of the Dead. Sunnylands will remain open until 9 p.m. that day for the movie, as well as nighttime viewing of the ofrendas.
- Guests are invited to make their own paper catrín or catrina hats, a recognizable trademark of Día de Los Muertos skeletons, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4.
- Join master printer Dewey Tafoya to create a Día de Los Muertos-themed screen print using paper stencils from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4.
- Desert Oasis Healthcare will be on-site to offer the public free health checks on Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5. Guests will have the opportunity to discuss their health needs with a primary care provider or pharmacist. The DOHC mobile clinic will be available from 8:30 am to 3 p.m. on both days.
Community groups building altars in the gardens this year include Animal Samaritans, Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, Original Certified Farmers’ Markets of the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs Art Museum, Palm Springs Cemetery District, Reliance Hospice, and S.C.R.A.P. Gallery.
Additionally, for the first time, students from four Coachella Valley schools will erect altars in the Sunnylands gardens. The participating schools are Amistad High School in Indio; Cathedral City Elementary School in Cathedral City; Coachella Valley High School in Thermal; and Shadow Hills High School in Indio.
All activities and events are free.
Sunnylands Center & Gardens is located at 37977 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage.
