Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is coming up November 2nd. There are a ton of events and ways to participate in this Meso-American holiday that honors people who have passed.  Before you go, just be sure to read our guide on how to do it the right way and be respectful of cultural traditions. If we missed anything, let us know and we’ll keep adding to the list!

San Francisco

• San Francisco Procession of Altars: Mission District, Nov 2nd In San Francisco, Day of the Dead has been celebrated in the Mission district since the early 70’s with altars in Garfield Park.  It serves as a community graveyard for the night with expressions of art, music, other live performances and a walking procession. Procession begins 7pm at 22nd and Bryant. Public Altars in Garfield Park at 26th and Harrison, 4pm-11pm. Bring flowers, candles and mementos of loved ones to place on altars. This is an alcohol-free event.

Davies Symphony Hall Dia de Los Muertos last year

• Día de los Muertos Community Concert with the San Francisco Symphony: Davies Symphony Hall, Sat Nov 5th 2pm and 8pm $10-$90 Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a special event at Davies Symphony Hall. Join Grammy Award-winning ensemble La Santa Cecilia for their infectious music combining Latin rhythms, rock, tango, jazz, and klezmer along with Mariachi Flor de Toloache, the first and only established all-female mariachi band in New York, and the Women of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. Arrive an hour early and enjoy art installations adorning the hall, along with traditional crafts, interactive altars, and more!

Santa Cecilia at the Sf Symphony combines Latin rhythms, rock, tango, jazz, and klezmer. Mariachi Flor de Toloache is the first and only established all-female mariachi band in New York

• Día de los Muertos Exhibition – Visions at Twilight: SOMArts 934 Brannan St,  Oct 7-Nov 5th (opening and closing receptions $10-$15) Curated by René Yañez and Rio Yañez with assistance from architect Nick Gomez, the event features work by more than 70 artists each year. The father and son team challenge artists to use their creative visions to look at personal loss, as well as local and global issues. In past years artists have created installations about contemporary issues including health care, the presidential election and neighborhood violence.

• Ofrendas Para Las Animas. Offerings for The Souls: Mission Cultural Center 2868 Mission St, SF Mission Cultural Center is hosting their 30th Annual Day of the Day Exhibition October 1, 2016- November 19, 2016. Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm MCCLA main gallery 2 nd floor and Inti-Raymi gallery $2 exhibit admission fee. Day of the Dead Celebration – November 2nd, 6:30 – 11pm.
  Admission: $7

• Excelsior Presents Dia De Los Muertos: Excelsior Playground, 579 Madrid St 5-8pm We will have music, carshow, face painting, food, arts and crafts, stilt walkers, drummers, altar displays and much more! Please bring your families with you and altars to display and share with your neighbors.

• Pasto Seco Band: Elbo Room 645 Valencia St, Nov 2nd, $10 Pasto Seco Band brings you a night of undeniable passion and unhinged reverance with their uniquely playful brand of Cumbia. Hailing from all over Latin America the band’s 14 members make even the stiffest hips come to life. Appropriately they are raising the dead on Dia De Los Muertos
  

• Strangelove Dia De Los Muertos Day of the Dead Celebration: Cat Club 1190 Folsom St $8 ($5 until 10pm) In the back room, djs Tomas Diablo (strangelove) and Sage (dark sparkle) spin Dark Electro, Industrial, Synth, and EBM. And in the front room djs Daniel Skellington (dark shadows) and Keyz (club circuitry) spin Swirly Goth, Dark Disco, and Cobweb Classics. Skull Face Painters, piñata and Altar to the Dead – Bring a picture of a deceased loved one to add to our altar.

• Hip Hop For Change presents Dia de los Meurtos: The Great Northern 119 Utah S, Nov 2nd $10-20 Featuring live performances by, Los Rakas, Bayonics DJ Leydis and Chuy Gomez (hosting and DJing)

East Bay

• Fruitvale Día de los Muertos Festival: Fruitvale Village Oakland (adjacent to Fruitvale BART) Oct 3oth, Free An outdoor festival that brings over 60,000 people to the vibrant, culturally-rich Fruitvale neighborhood to enjoy world-class live music, family friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the stunning altar artistic installations created by community members paying homage to los muertos. Join to experience live music, Ballet folklorico, Aztec dancers and to shop at the local artisan craft stands.

Oakland artist Daniel Camancho’s space at the Día de Los Muertos festival.

• Dia de los Muertos Family Celebration: Ashkenaz 1317 San Pablo Ave Berkeley Nov 2nd $10-$12 Mexican Son Dance Lesson with Lolis García y Nydia Algazzali Gonzalez at 4:30 pm followed by Family Fandango Jarocho at 5:00 pm plus Ashkenaz Community Altar and special vegetarian Mexican menu. Ashkenaz is always all ages!

• Day of the Dead Dinner: Cosecha Oakland 907 Washington St We’ll be making Albondigas (meatballs) simmered in a spicy chili broth. Pastry Chef, Maestro Luis from Mexico City, will be making warm Pan de Muerto – Day of the Dead bread. We’ll have a community altar for those who wish to leave a picture.