Each fall, Fiesta de Reyes becomes a world of color, artistry and remembrance. Día de los Muertos – La Experiencia returns September 1 through November 2, 2026, filling the plaza with dozens of creative displays ranging from small discoveries to larger-than-life Catrinas, along with decorated skulls and skeletons, marigolds, altars and cultural interpretation.
This year, a new integrated lighting package connects the transformation across the plaza, revealing new details and creating an especially memorable atmosphere after sunset. Visit by day, return at night and experience the celebration from an entirely different perspective.
La Experiencia is free, family-friendly and available throughout the season during regular Fiesta de Reyes hours. Dining, shopping and live entertainment make it easy to turn a visit into a complete Old Town experience.
Experience the history of San Diego at Fiesta de Reyes. Comprised of 19 locally owned specialty shops, three distinct restaurants and a 10-room boutique hotel, Fiesta de Reyes is operated by Old Town Family Hospitality Corporation under the direction of president and veteran restaurateur, Chuck Ross.
Bringing his experience from more than 30 years in the destination restaurant business to bear in 2009, Ross renamed the plaza Fiesta de Reyes meaning “celebration of kings,” renovated two of the aging restaurants and many of the 19 shops surrounding the Fiesta de Reyes plaza, and presided over the completion of the project to restore The Cosmopolitan Hotel and Restaurant to its 1870’s glory. Dubbed as “Old Town’s Turnaround Specialist” by the San Diego Union-Tribune, Ross has worked tirelessly to create a festive and fun ambiance in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park both within and outside of his concession. Fiesta de Reyes is very much a family business with the entire Ross clan working together to create an unmatched experience for guests and visitors.
Whether it’s the authentic Mexican food of Casa de Reyes, the bold yet sophisticated fare of Barra Barra or a unique gift for someone special that brings you, we invite you, your friends and your family to experience what Fiesta de Reyes is all about: great food, fantastic atmosphere and an experience to remember.