Date & Time Details: November 1, 2026 TIme: 1:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Location Topa Institute

Address 9739 N Ojai Rd, Ojai, CA 93023, USA

Contact: Topa Institute Office
contact@topainstitute.org
(805) 646-8343

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Micailhuitl: Días de los Muertos

November 1, 2026

Register now

Micailhuitl

Días de los Muertos – A Season of Remembrance

Hosting partner: Grupo Chicomecoatl – Danza Azteca Chichimeca

Long before Día de los Muertos became a single day of skulls and marigolds, it was an entire season of honoring the memory of our loved ones who have already crossed the great river to the Mictlan, or the “place of the ancestors”.

This year, Topa Institute is acknowledging this season with the making of a community ofrenda by the first full moon in September that will stay in place until Nov. 2nd. On Nov. 1st, there will be platicas with culture bearers, song, dance, and ceremony, followed by a convivio and ending with a celebration with live DJ music and dancing.

Micailhuitl

Días de los Muertos Season Schedule:

September 23rd: Establishing a Ceremonial altar/ofrenda

Grupo Chicomecoatl , Danza Azteca Chichimeca, will guide the creation of a community altar/ofrenda at Topa Institute.

Every Sunday 10am – 2pm: Community Visiting Days

Community Visiting Days will follow every Sunday, offering opportunities to visit the altar, sit with the land, and take part in this extended season of honoring ancestors. Community members are invited to bring offerings such as marigold/cempoalxochitl flowers, citrus-type fruit, or veladora candles, etc. You are also welcome to bring photographs of loved ones and pets who have passed. To protect and preserve your photographs, please bring copies and keep your originals.

Note: It is recommended to wait until it has been at least one year since a loved one made their sacred transition before adding their photo to the altar, as we acknowledge the time it takes to make the journey and cross the great wide river to the Mictlan, the place of the ancestors, during the first year.

November 1st: Final Ceremonial Community Gathering 

Community gathering honoring the season of the Días de las Animas. See the event schedule below:

 

Note: This event is FREE, but we kindly ask that you to RSVP for the community gathering on November 1, 2026 by clicking on the “REGISTER NOW” button on this page.

 

November 2nd: Despidida de las Ánimas 

Grupo Chicomecoatl will offer a copaltemaliztl, ceremonial removal of the altar/ofrenda, sweep and clean the space, and signal to the ánimas that the visit has ended and it is time to return to the Mictlan, the place of the ancestors. Not open to the public.

 

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Learn more about Native Monarchs on their website.