LumaFest is SRJC Petaluma’s Educational
Open House and el Día de los Muertos
celebration, bringing together education,
culture, and community in a vibrant,
family-friendly festival.
Saturday, October 18, 2025
11am-3pm
SRJC Petaluma Campus
680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway
Discover the Magic of LumaFest
Explore the sights, sounds, and experiences that make LumaFest a one-of-a-kind celebration of culture, learning, and community.
From colorful performances and hands- on art activities to live music, science shows, and local food favorites, there’s something for everyone at SRJC Petaluma’s biggest event of the year. Whether you're visiting with family, friends, or flying solo — you’ll find inspiration around every corner.
Explore SRJC
Programs
Skull Decorating &
Art Activities
Altares y Ofrendas
Delicious Food
Trucks
Learning and
Lectures
Community & Club
Booths
Past Celebrations: Celebrating through performance
Danza Azteca
A powerful ceremonial performance honoring indigenous traditions through a sacred tribute to ancestry and cultural resilience
Ballet Folklórico
Traditional Mexican dance
performances that bring color,
music, and storytelling to life.
Mariachi Performance
Feel the joy of a live mariachi
performance — featuring vibrant vocals,
festive melodies, and the unmistakable
sounds of trumpets, violins, and guitars.
Meet FRESNO: THE SPIRIT OF lUMAFEST
At the heart of LumaFest stands a powerful and unexpected symbol: the articulated skeleton of a giraffe named Fresno, proudly displayed in the Mahoney Library at SRJC Petaluma. Fresno’s story is a unique journey of life, legacy, and learning.
Originally a resident of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno later found a home at Safari West in Sonoma County. After his passing, an SRJC instructor and a team of students came together to rearticulate his skeleton — a meticulous and respectful process that now allows Fresno to continue educating and inspiring future generations.
In honoring Fresno, we celebrate a central theme of El Día de los Muertos: that those who have passed continue to live on in the memories, stories, and traditions of the living. Fresno reminds us that death is not an end, but a continuation — an opportunity to reflect, to teach, and to connect across generations.
Much like the vibrant ofrendas built to honor loved ones, Fresno embodies the beauty of remembrance, transformation, and community — making him the perfect symbol of LumaFest.