After Halloween, we still have something to look forward to: Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. It is a truly unique holiday commemorating, well, the dead. If you’re looking forward to celebrating with lots of tamales and sugar skulls we found seven Day of the Dead events around the Bay Area perfect for just that. (And if you're inspired, check out our makeup tutorial here!)
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS COMMUNITY CONCERT
Take the whole family to Davies Symphony Hall on Saturday November 2 for an afternoon of honoring Latino art and culture. The concert begins at 2 p.m. and if you arrive at 1 p.m. you will enjoy a pre-celebration in the lobby before the concert starts. They’ll have refreshments, performers, and activities for the little ones. This event is recommended for those of us who are 7 years old and older.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FASHION SHOW
The Mission Cultural Center will be hosting a Day of the Dead Fashion Show. This show will "honor the life and fashion of our ancestor" and models will be painted like skeltons and donned in marigolds. Check out the show for $5, this Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Marigold Project, a non-profit organization with the goal of maintaining and keeping the Dia De Los Muertos tradition alive, the Festival of Altars welcomes you to make an altar for a loved one that has passed away. The event starts at 6 p.m. in Garfield Park (26th & Harrison) and goes until 11 p.m.
This Saturday night, at 7 p.m. meet at 22nd and Bryant with fellow Day of the Dead enthusiasts to march through the Mission. Paint a sugar skull on your face and join the traditional Aztec dancers that will also be parading.
While you’re in the mission checking out the Festival of Altars or the 24th street parade, head to La Movida Wine Bar to check out their Day of the Dead festivities. They’ll be hosting a pop-up shop for local designers, sampling cookies from Marlo, as well as celebrating the launch of Triple Voodoo’s Belgian Stout, “King Leopold”.
The Oakland Museum of California’s curious exhibit, The Tree of Life and Death, has been going on all month but if you’re looking for something super kid friendly to do for the celebration, this is the place. There will be colorful altar installations and hands on activities perfect for the little ones. OMCA is open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In its 25th year, the Dia De Los Muertos celebration in San Rafael is a great place to check out Latin American culture. This celebration is at the Albert J. Boro Community Center from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday. Along with art workshops, face painting, and a parade enjoy performances from Aztec dancers, Pan Rafael Steel Drum Band, Mariachis, and a Mexican ballet.
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