Celebrating Traditions: Call for Entries for the XXVI Day of the Dead Festival 2026

A Cultural Initiative by the ISC

The Instituto Sudcaliforniano de Cultura (ISC) has announced the calls for entries for the XXVI Festival Tradicional de Día de Muertos 2026, aimed at various sectors of the community to foster creativity and preserve Mexican traditions. The head of the ISC, Víctor Hugo Caballero Gutiérrez, emphasized that this edition seeks to highlight the cultural richness of Baja California Sur through the participation of writers, artists, families, and collectives.

"This festival is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our traditions and engage the community in creative ways."

The festival is not just a celebration; it serves as a platform for local talent to shine. The ISC's initiative encourages participation from all age groups, ensuring that the essence of Día de Muertos is preserved and celebrated in a contemporary context.

Exciting Categories for Participation

Among the various calls for entries, one of the most anticipated is the “Calaveritas Literarias,” which invites Sudcalifornian writers to submit humorous creations that highlight wit and critique surrounding death. The winner of this category will receive 8,000 pesos, making it an attractive opportunity for local writers to showcase their talent.

"We want to encourage writers to express their creativity in a way that resonates with our cultural identity."

Additionally, the “Cuento Joven” category targets young writers, inviting them to craft stories related to Día de Muertos, with a prize of 8,000 pesos for the best entry. This initiative aims to engage the youth in cultural storytelling, ensuring that the traditions are passed down through generations.

Artistic Expressions and Community Involvement

The festival also features the “Vivas las Catrinas” contest, which invites participants of all ages to design and characterize the iconic figure of the Catrina. This category offers prizes of 10,000 pesos for adults and 6,000 pesos for children, encouraging families to participate together in this vibrant tradition.

"The Catrina is a symbol of our culture, and we want everyone to express their creativity through this figure."

Moreover, the “El Jolgorio de las Catrinas” contest challenges participants to create a three-dimensional piece that stands between one and two and a half meters tall, using various materials such as paper, plastic, clay, cardboard, and more. The top three entries will receive cash prizes of 11,000, 8,000, and 5,000 pesos, respectively, promoting artistic expression and innovation.

For graphic designers and visual artists, the “Cartel Oficial” category invites submissions that represent the most iconic elements of Día de Muertos. The selected artwork will not only receive a prize of 10,000 pesos but will also be used as the official image of the festival, providing significant exposure for the artist.

Finally, the “Altares y Ofrendas Tradicionales” category calls on families, institutions, and collectives to create altars in honor of their deceased loved ones. The prizes for this category are substantial, with 16,000 pesos for the first place, 12,000 for second, and 10,000 for third, highlighting the importance of honoring traditions in a communal setting.

For those interested in participating, the detailed rules and guidelines can be found at isc.cultura-bcs.gob.mx/convocatorias. For further inquiries, individuals can reach out via phone at 612-12-2-31-13 and 612-12-2-15-75, available Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.