Festival of the Souls

Yes, entry to this event is free to the public. Tickets will be available to purchase for food, beverages and select activities. Festival of the Souls is a FREE Community Event.

No, all ages are welcome to attend.

Yes, the event will be held outdoors. Mystical Celtic Heart is located in Old Town Elk Grove and home of Elk Grove's Historical Stafford House. The commercial property has over 900 square feet of retail space and a landscaped outdoor space which is used to host classes, workshops, private/public events and meeting space. Mystical Celtic Heart's outdoor space is available for rent. Email events@mysticalcelticheart.com for rental space availability.

No, Mystical Celtic Heart is located in Old Town Elk Grove and home of Elk Grove's Historical Stafford House. The commercial property has over 900 square feet of retail space and a landscaped outdoor space located behind the retail space. The outdoor space is used to host classes, workshops, private/public events and meeting space. Mystical Celtic Heart's outdoor space is available for rent. Email events@mysticalcelticheart.com for rental space availability.

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed. Service animals are allowed (by law!) but they must be restrained at all times and the owner is responsible for their clean up. If your service animal is deemed unruly or dangerous by event personnel, it may be refused access and/or will be required to leave.

Yes, we encourage you to dress up in your favorite festive attire!

All Hallows' Eve falls on the 31st of October each year, and is the day before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day in the Christian calendar. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time for remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. On All Hallows Eve, the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead was thin. It allows the souls of the dead to come back to earth and walk among the living.

Day of the Dead (Dia De Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations! Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration.

Yes, absolutely and we encourage everyone to do so! Our ofrenda is open to the public and all are welcome to bring pictures and/or items to honor their loved ones and ancestors. The ofrenda is available for the entirety of the event and will be open the next day for removal of ceremonial objects (items).

Samhain’s (pronounced "sow-en") literal meaning is, “summer’s end,” and the Samhain festival marked the end of long, daylight hours and the beginning of short, cold days. This is when harvesting ended, and winter began its chilly approach. Samhain, The Witches' New Year (Halloween) is a time to reconnect with our ancestors, and honor those who have died. This is the time when the veil between our world and the spirit realm is thin, so it's the perfect time of year to make contact with the dead.

The Wheel of the Year is comprised of eight Sabbats or festivals that occur on or around the same day each year. The eight Sabbats are comprised of four solar events, i.e. the Summer Solstice, Winter Solstice, Spring Equinox, and Fall Equinox. The remaining four festivals are based on seasonal changes and farming. Here’s a rundown of the eight Sabbats, what they align with, and their dates: Yule: December 21st – January 1st Winter Solstice Imbolc: February 1st Holiday is known as Candlemas which signifies the first signs of Spring Ostara: March 20th Spring Equinox (first day of Spring) Beltane: April 30th – May 1st A fire ceremony that signifies the midpoint between Spring and Summer Litha: June 21st or 22nd Summer Solstice Lughnasadh: July 31st – August 1st Marks the first harvest of the year Mabon: September 21st – September 23rd Fall Equinox Samhain: October 31st – November 1st Marks the New Year on the wheel of the year. Considered by many to be the most important of all the Sabbats.

Yes, Old Town has free public parking.