Happy October! Day of the Dead is coming up at the beginning of November, and San Francisco is sure to celebrate with vibrant altars, performances, and events.
A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, Christian practices, and Spanish culture, the Day of the Dead, or Día De Los Muertos, is celebrated each year from October 31 to November 2. A version of the modern holiday can be traced some 3,000 years back, to Aztec and other Nahua rituals honoring the dead with offerings. Some of these traditions were blended with Spanish Catholic practices of All Souls Day during colonization, and the two holidays share the same date. Today, the Day of the Dead is celebrated across Mexico and the world with parades, offerings, and celebrations of the deceased. You may be familiar with prominent symbols related to the holiday, like sugar skulls and masks, and pan de muerto (find some of your own this year at La Reyna Bakery in San Francisco or Las Hijas del Gallo in South San Francisco!).
Here are some of our favorite ways to celebrate this holiday in the Bay Area:
1. Marigold Project: Housing one of the largest festivals of altars in the Bay Area, the Marigold Project is a community-based organization with deep roots in San Francisco’s Latin American community. This year, their festival of altars will be held in Potrero Del Sol Park, and will have community-built altars, live performances, interactive art, and cultural ceremonies. All are welcome to participate on November 2, with the ceremony beginning at 12pm and the performances at 5pm.
2. Day of the Dead Ritual Procession: Organized by the El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural de La Mission, the 43rd annual Día De Los Muertos procession runs throughout the Mission District, starting at 7pm on November 2nd. It begins at 22nd and Bryant Streets, running through Bryant, 24th, Mission, and then 22nd Street before ending back where it began. There will be live performances from Azteca Dancers, and restaurants throughout the Mission District celebrating alongside.
3. Día De Los Muertos in the California Academy of Sciences: Next Thursday, the Academy of Sciences continues their weekly 21+ Nightlife exhibitions with an evening celebrating Día de los Muertos. With live dance performances, interactive art exhibits, local Latine artisanal vendors, mezcal tastings, and access to the museum, it is sure to be an incredible night of celebration! The event is on November 7th at 6pm, and tickets are available for purchase here.
4. Casa Círculo Cultural and San Mateo History Museum: Join the San Mateo County History Museum and Casa Circulo Cultural on Sunday, November 3rd, for a celebration fit for the whole family! The museum will be hosting performances and childrens crafts, and there will be a festival of the altars in the courtroom, on display through Friday, November 8th. Admission is free from 4:00pm to 8:00pm.
… and much more! ¡Feliz Día de los Muertos!
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