César E. Chávez Celebration Calendar

Join us for UC San Diego's 24th Annual César E. Chávez Celebration Kickoff. The signature kickoff event will feature keynote speaker María Dolores Águila, a Chicana poet and author of Barrio Rising, the 2024 “One Book, One San Diego” kids selection. Deeply inspired by Chicane history and art, she seeks to write empowering and inclusive stories about everything she learns.

Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

Location: Price Center Ballroom

Hosted by the César E. Chávez Celebration Month planning committee. For more information, please contact cesarchavezcelebrate@ucsd.edu.

Join us for a book signing with Chávez Celebration Kickoff speaker María Dolores Águila, a Chicana poet and author of Barrio Rising, the 2024 “One Book, One San Diego” kids selection.

Time: 1:00pm - 2:15pm

Location: UC San Diego Bookstore

Hosted by the UC San Diego Bookstore in partnership with the César E. Chávez Celebration Month planning committee. For more information, please contact cesarchavezcelebrate@ucsd.edu.

Eighth College Students and Residents and come pick up food from local family owned farms with a highlight on the impact our farmers have in our homes and communities.

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: Eighth College - Podemos

Hosted by Eighth College Student Affairs. For more information, please contact Pauline Herring at pherring@ucsd.edu. 

Working with Casa Familiar to engage UCSD students, staff, faculty, and the community in an empowering act of service that honors the legacy of César Chávez and highlights the ongoing relationship between our communities, food justice, and the land. This project will connect our campus community to the decolonization of food systems, reflect on the historical and present labor of farmworkers, and inspire leadership in advocating for sustainable, equitable food practices.

This event is not just about planting seeds in the soil—it’s about planting seeds of empowerment, knowledge, and justice. By connecting students to the land and the legacy of César Chávez, this project inspires collective action toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location: 268 W Park Ave, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Hosted by the Center for Student Involvement. For more information, please contact Victoria Abrenica at vabrenica@ucsd.edu.

As a part of UC San Diego’s Cesar Chavez Day, John Muir College is producing a curated afternoon of personal expressions focused on Heritage and Hope. Tell Me A Story The program will feature the voices of poets, students, and faculty. Contributors share about piece(s) of their Latinx heritage, how it gives them hope or what they hope for. “Tell Me a Story” will fill the Quad outside of the Middle of Muir (M.O.M) on Wednesday April 9th,2025

We are putting out an open call for submissions of those wishing to tell a story. The formats vary as can the lengths. Poems, anecdotes, descriptions of images, full narratives, from less than a minute up to ten. Entries do not need to be fully composed, but should convey basic details and overall theme/message of the Story.

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Stewart Commons- in front of Mom's Cafe

Hosted by Muir College Student Affairs. For more information, please contact Claudia Pena at c2pena@ucsd.edu 

During challenging times we look to our past to learn and stay steadfast. This event will create a collaborative mural that visually represents at least one of César Chávez’s 10 Core Values to inspire us; Determination- allowing participants to express their interpretation of the principle/value through art which will be displayed in OASIS. This mural will serve as a visual expression of the perseverance, willpower, and collective strength that empowers individuals and communities to overcome adversity.
Determination Value – Determination that is characterized by an attitude that with faith, steadfast commitment, patience, and optimism, human beings can prevail against all odds.

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Center Hall Room 339

Hosted by OASIS. For more information, please contact Haydee Salazar at hsalazar@ucsd.edu 

Our Chicano Park event circulates the annual celebration for the Chicano Park movement and will provide students the opportunity to learn about Chicano park and the history behind the park's celebration.

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00p.m.

Hosted by ERC Res Life. For more information, please contact Melissa Diaz at melissadiaz@ucsd.edu. 

Danzar, meaning “dance” in Spanish, is a cultural event that celebrates Chicanx-Latinx heritage through the art of dance, emphasizing its cultural significance and its connections to civil rights movements like the United Farm Workers movement led by César Chávez. Members of the UC San Diego Dancesport Team will host a beginner-level workshop on Latin Dance.

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Location: Great Hall

Hosted by ERC Student Affairs. For more information, please contact Will Songer at wdsonger@ucsd.edu. 

Adelanté: Roots and Rhythms is a cultural event celebrating Chicanx, Latinx, and Hispanic heritage through performances, food, and student organizations. This event highlights both the commonalities and rich diversity across Latin American cultures, fostering education, unity, and community engagement. Featured countries include Brazil, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Honduras.

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Location: Sixth College West Lawn

Hosted by Sixth College Res Life. For more information, please contact Gabriela Aceves at Gaceves@ucsd.edu. 

Join CLSA for our annual book club to commemorate the César E. Chávez legacy.