The Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara is going dark with Día de Los Muertos celebrations amid fears related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and detentions across Santa Barbara County.

Executive Director Dalia Garcia spoke on behalf of the museum in a statement posted to its social media a week ago, canceling its usual festivities for the Mexican holiday. 

Día de Los Muertos, celebrated Nov. 1-2, honors loved ones who have passed away. People celebrate by creating ofrendas, altars with photos of their loved one, flowers, and any food or trinket the individual enjoyed while alive. 

“This decision emerged from deep reflection and ongoing conversations with artists, community members and immigrant rights advocates,” Garcia said. “Many have reminded us that although ICE raids may no longer dominate daily headlines, the threat to undocumented families remains very real.” 

Last year, the museum celebrated the holiday with its Calenda, a procession full of community members beginning at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art to the Museum of Contemporary Art with traditional music and dance. 

“To hold a public celebration without naming this reality risks turning ancestral practices into mere aesthetic décor and commodifying indigenous identities, stripping them of their meaning and dignity,” Garcia said in her statement. 

This year, Garcia said, the museum will redirect energy and resources toward supporting community-led initiatives that protect the most vulnerable community members. 

However, not all local organizations are following suit. Many are still holding celebrations throughout the upcoming weekend.

Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation

The Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation is hosting a market and craft day in collaboration with the Mujeres Makers Market on Sunday at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara, 123 E. Canon Perdido St.

There will be free arts and crafts activities for families from noon to 4 p.m. in the Presidio Orchard. Additionally, the community can expect to see face painting, workshops and dance performances alongside a DJ, Lotería, a photo booth and a Catrina Contest. Attendees also can contribute to its community altar honoring loved ones.

There also will be local vendors through the Mujeres Makers Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Museum of Art is hosting its 36th annual Día de Los Muertos celebration with school and community altar displays and art activities at 1130 State St. on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

Community members can enjoy free art activities and altars on display in the Park Lobby and Art Learning Lab.

Museum-goers can see the altars on display in the galleries with their museum ticket.

Isla Vista Recreation & Park District

The Isla Vista Recreation & Park District is hosting its free Día de Los Muertos celebration at the St. George Youth Center YMCA, 889 Camino del Sur, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. 

 The celebration will include altars, face painting, ceramic skull painting, food, and performances from Xochipilli Folkorico and Mariachi.

UC Santa Barbara

The UCSB Library is showcasing an ofrenda made up of student-made shoebox altars available for viewing until Monday.

The Arlington Theatre

The Arlington Theatre, at 1317 State St. in Santa Barbara, has created its own Día de Los Muertos altar. 

“We chose to honor and remember a handful of the cultural icons that made a positive impact on the world around them as well as a few pets of Arlington management,” a social media post stated. “We are very happy to be celebrating such an important part of Latin culture.”