According to the Mexica calendar, tomorrow is the start of a new year. To mark the occasion, San Jose-based Azteca dance group Calpulli Tonalehqueh will kick off their 24th annual, 3-day New Year celebration — the largest of its kind in the US — this afternoon at Emma Prusch Park.

Also known as Yancuic Xīhuitl, this cultural holiday begins with the burning of ocote (pitch-pine) candles accompanied by prayers + a series of drum, song, and dance performances. The weekend’s festivities will also feature Native American-owned businesses, kids activities, and food + drink vendors.

The Calpulli Tonalehqueh Aztec dance group hosts the largest new year celebration of its kind in the US. | Photo via Teko Alejo

Alongside cultural performances, local arts collective — Together We Create (TWC) — is also gathering a group of 22 diverse artists to paint several large murals throughout the park over the course of the weekend. This will be their largest group of artists since TWC’s first collaboration with Mexica New Year in 2017.

We may see lots of rabbits in the art this weekend — as this year’s significance is dedicated to Matlactli Tochtli, or “10 Rabbit.” The number 10 represents two hands coming together for the duality, reflection, and awakening of our senses, while the rabbit symbolizes creativity, good taste, and the fertility of the earth.

This year’s design will wrap up Jesse’s four-year collab with Tochtli. | Photo via @urbanaztec

In honor of the rabbit, Bay Area-based artist Jesse Hernandez created a special glyph design for Tochtli, the main dancewear brand used by Calpulli Tonalehqueh, and will be featured on t-shirts available in limited quantities this weekend.

Mitlalpilli — the Techutli, or leader of Calpulli — noted this event is not just a celebration, but a ceremony to honor and educate.

“We want to make sure that all of our guests living on this land are aware, respectful, knowledgeable, and conscious about the traditions and the cultures of the native people of this continent,” he said. “This is essential for us […] and actually for everybody that’s living here in this land.”

You can find this weekend’s full schedule of events on Calpulli Tonalehqueh’s website.