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La Reina Catrina del Festival

Be Crowned La Reina Catrina y El Catrin del Festival- Saturday, October 31, 2026!

This competition celebrates the beauty, creativity, and cultural significance of Día de los Muertos. Participants will showcase their attire, makeup, and overall presentation while honoring the traditions and spirit of La Catrina and El Catrín.

Cash Prizes for the Top 3!

A minimum of 10 participants is required for the competition to take place.

This is more than a competition, it’s a celebration of heritage, artistry, and presence

Who Can Participate?

Open to all participants ages 14 and older.
Pre-registration is required. No day-of entries will be accepted.

Judging Criteria

Contestants will be judged on:

Overall appearance and presentation
Creativity and originality
Authenticity to the Día de los Muertos theme
Makeup and attire
Use of accessories, props, jewelry, feathers, and other design elements
Stage presence

We strongly encourage participants to be unique and authentic in their overall design, as originality and creativity are important parts of the competition.

Attire Guidelines

Face paint is required.
No masks.
No street clothes or Halloween costumes.
Original Catrina or Catrín designs are encouraged but not required.
Formal attire, quinceañera dresses, suits, tuxedos, and other elegant garments may be incorporated into your design.

People's Choice Award

Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite participant. Contestants will be asked to arrive before the competition and spend time throughout the festival so guests can view and appreciate their designs before casting their vote.

Additional details, including arrival times and competition information, will be sent to registered participants closer to the event.

As the winner, you may be asked to represent Moravida Festival in future promotional materials, social media, and community appearances.This event is open to participants ages 14 and up who wish to embody the grace and tradition of La Catrina or El Catrin. Contestants will take part in a regal procession, showcasing their handcrafted attire and meaningful representation of Día de los Muertos.

La Catrina: A Symbol of Día de los Muertos

La Catrina is one of the most recognizable symbols of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). She is often depicted as an elegantly dressed female skeleton wearing a large hat adorned with flowers and feathers.

The image of La Catrina originated in the early 1900s through the work of Mexican illustrator and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada. Posada created a satirical drawing known as La Calavera Garbancera to criticize people who abandoned their Indigenous roots and traditions in favor of European customs and appearances. His message was simple: regardless of wealth, social status, or appearance, death comes for everyone.

Years later, renowned Mexican artist Diego Rivera popularized the figure in his famous mural Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park, where he portrayed her as the elegant skeleton now known as La Catrina.

Today, La Catrina represents much more than death. She serves as a reminder to celebrate life, honor those who came before us, and embrace the idea that death is a natural part of the human experience. During Día de los Muertos, images of La Catrina can be found throughout festivals, altars, parades, and celebrations, symbolizing remembrance, cultural pride, and the enduring connection between the living and those who have passed on.

At Moravida Festival, La Catrina serves as a powerful symbol of remembrance, tradition, and the joyful spirit of Día de los Muertos.