UC Irvine students took a break from the books to honor loved ones and tradition with a Día de los Muertos event on Monday, Nov. 2.
The Day of the Dead event was also open to the community, featuring folklórico and Aztec dance and mariachi performances, including from UCI and local schools.
Baile Folklórico de Price Elementary School perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Andie Brown dons makeup she did herself during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Xipe Totec Aztec dance group perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
UC Irvine students watch as Xipe Totec Aztec dance group march past them
during UCI’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lariza Benitez takes a picture of her daughter, Isabella Hernandez, 7, during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Baile Folklórico de Price Elementary School perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Priscila Regalado performs with Mariachi Orgullo de UCI during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laura Hasbun adds glitter to Gianna Olivares Sanchez face during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Xipe Totec Aztec dance group perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Xipe Totec Aztec dance group perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mimi Ko Cruz dons makeup and a costume during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
1 of 11
Baile Folklórico de Price Elementary School perform during UC Irvine’s fourth annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Irvine Barclay Theater on Monday, November 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
There was a community altar in keeping with the Día de los Muertos tradition of ofrendas in honor of loved ones.
“Nearly half of the School of Social Ecology’s students are Latino, and presenting our Día de los Muertos event is a way of honoring our Latino culture,” Jon Gould, dean of the school, said in a statement. “It’s a beautiful tradition that helps us embrace our students, educate the community and honor our ancestors.”
