The bright petals of cempasúchil. The candles that illuminate photographs of loved ones who have passed on. And the warmth that comes with eating delicious tamales.
At home and in community spaces, the Bay Area is preparing for Día de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2 — which this year falls on a weekend.
For centuries, families in Mexico and several other Latin American countries have gathered at this time to honor the dead, from generations past to those recently lost.
Photos are placed on ofrendas: colorful handmade altars that hold the favorite food or drink of a late loved one, alongside carefully detailed sugar skulls and plenty of marigolds.
Jump straight to details of major events:
Thanks to the Bay Area’s large Latino diaspora, there are multiple community celebrations for Día de los Muertos held across the region that are family-friendly and open to all — including those who are just starting to learn more about this tradition.
Keep in mind that some events are high-energy celebrations with spaces for dancing and socializing, while others are more solemn occasions that include traditional blessings and spoken word.
Sunday, Nov. 2
In terms of attendance — and sheer scale of production — this is by far the biggest celebration for Día de los Muertos in the Bay Area. On Sunday, Nov. 2, nine blocks along International Boulevard in the city’s Fruitvale neighborhood will fill up with giant ofrendas created by local artists, lowriders, live music stages and dozens of booths from community groups as well as local government agencies.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Oakland’s Día de los Muertos Festival is known to be a place to dance to live banda for hours and reunite with friends you haven’t seen in years — as well as being an event that firmly defends public spaces for immigrant families. This year’s theme is “Aquí Estamos y No Nos Vamos”: “We are here and we are not leaving.”
Sunday, Nov. 2
For more than 20 years, families have gathered in San Francisco’s Potrero Del Sol Park to install intricately decorated large-scale ofrendas. While honoring loved ones, many of these also address larger political and social questions — like the federal government’s immigration policy or Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
Installations will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 2. You can enter the park through any entrance and walk through the space to observe the ofrendas.
At noon, there will be a ceremony, and at 5 p.m., musical performances and poetry readings will begin.
You can also sign up to make your own ofrenda.
Sunday, Nov. 2
Just a block away from the ofrendas in Potrero Del Sol Park, musicians, artists and culture keepers will march down 24th Street, with thousands of families gathering on the sidewalk to watch.
Organized by the community group El Collectivo del Rescate Cultural de La Mission — or Collective to Rescue the Mission’s Culture —ofrendas, cempasúchil and vendors selling handmade crafts fill up almost every block at this event.
And while some parts of the procession are quieter and solemn, there will be live bands, dance groups and lowriders moving through too, with performances all over the Mission District through the night.
The procession begins at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 on the corner of 22nd and Bryant Street, then moves to 24th Street, where marchers will stay until they reach Mission Street. At each main intersection, Aztec dancers leading the procession will pause to perform a ritual dance.
Saturday, Nov. 1
On Nov. 1, the Children’s Discovery Museum in downtown San José will host a family-friendly Día de los Muertos event from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There will be storytelling for children, sand painting, performances by giant skeleton puppets and a procession that interacts with museum installations, including its mammoth skeleton.
Tickets are $18 for both adults and children.
Saturday, Nov. 1
San Francisco’s Tenderloin district is throwing a free family street fair on Nov. 1 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. for Día de los Muertos, which will offer ofrendas, face painting, Aztec dance, live music and local vendors,
There’ll also be a “kids zone” with lucha libre matches, bounce houses and a petting zoo.
Tickets are free, but you can RSVP to receive a free screenprint from Evolved SF when you arrive (while supplies last.)
Friday, Oct. 31
Known for its annual exhibition of ofrendas that runs for most of November, MCCLA is also throwing a dance party in San Francisco’s Mission District, a block away from 24th Mission BART station, on Oct. 31 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This “perreo fest” will also include plenty of different contests, including competitions for best costume and catrina. Entrance is $5 for ages 16 and up.
MCCLA will be hosting other Día de los Muertos programming throughout October and November.
Sunday, Nov. 2
The biggest Día de los Muertos celebration in San Mateo County takes place this year in Redwood City’s Courthouse Square on Nov. 2 from 3 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Dance and musical performances will fill the square, with a special emphasis placed this year on the traditions from the Mexican state of Puebla. Volunteers at the face-painting booth will be painting traditional skull designs on guests.
The San Mateo County History Museum will also be open at this time and families can step inside to decorate sugar skulls and make their own papel picado decorations.
Sunday, Oct. 26
Community group Corazón Healdsburg will host a Día de los Muertos celebration in the city’s main plaza on Oct. 26 from noon to 6 p.m.
Families are welcome to bring photos of loved ones to add to the communal ofrenda. There will be plenty of live music, dance performances and face painting throughout the day.
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