The Canyon Country Community Center came alive Saturday with music, color and plenty of family-friendly fun as Santa Clarita residents gathered to celebrate Día de los Muertos.

The City of Santa Clarita’s fourth annual celebration brought families together for an afternoon that blended traditional Mexican culture with activities for children, while also providing a meaningful space to remember loved ones who have passed away.

Mariachi music filled the community center as families moved between crafts, games, face painting and other activities. Children could take part in the popular Youth Sports “Zombie Run” in the gym, while younger visitors made their way through the Mini Monster Maze. Trick-or-treating and small prize giveaways added a Halloween twist to the celebration.

The afternoon also featured a performance from Ballet Folklórico de Oro, the folklórico group from Golden Valley High School, showcasing traditional Mexican dance.

At the heart of the celebration was a Cempasúchil archway, where attendees could leave messages in memory of loved ones.

The bright orange marigold, known as cempasúchil in Spanish, is closely associated with Día de los Muertos and is traditionally used to honor those who have died.

For many families, the holiday is less about mourning and more about remembering — keeping the memories, stories and traditions surrounding loved ones alive.

That spirit was reflected throughout the event, where cultural traditions shared space with the simple pleasures of a community gathering: children playing, families spending time together and music bringing people into the same room.

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