Dia de los Muertos comes alive
Altars, entertainment, cultural education and more across the region for the Day of the Dead
Day of the Dead is an annual celebration embracing the memories of those who have died with a combination of Aztec rituals, Catholic beliefs and altars made up of memorial offerings.
It falls on Wednesday and Thursday. And since Day of the Dead is not about mourning but is a celebration, its events usually include music, dancing and food. So to help you celebrate, here are some celebrations in the Southland.
Bowers Museum
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday
Where: 2002N. Main St., Santa Ana
Cost: Free
Information: bowers.org
People can place photos of dead loved ones on the community altar and listen to musical groups, including Mariachi Anacatlan, and watch and dance performances by Relampago del Cielo Grupo Folklorico. There will also be free samples of Mexican hot chocolate, plus tamales for sale.
City of Moreno Valley Day of the Dead
When: 6-10 p.m. today
Where: Moreno Valley Civic Amphitheater, 14075Frederick St., Moreno Valley
Cost: Free
Information: moval.org
You can get food and drinks from vendors and at the Michelada Garden, then buy goods from local artists and artisans while viewing altar displays at this free annual event. There's also music from Mariachi Divas, and Savor: A Tribute to Santana.
Downtown Santa Monica
When: 2-9p.m. Saturday
Where: Third Street Promenade, 1351Third St. Promenade, Santa Monica
Cost: Free
Information: downtownsm.com
The downtown Promenade will become an outdoor Day of the Dead festival with performances by groups including Neiya Arts, Ballet Flor de Mayo, Grupo La Rosa, Folklor América and Poco Pocho. There will be colorful community altars and a Latino pop-up market offering crafts, arts and treats. The larger-than-life La Catrina public art sculptures created by Los Angeles-based Ricardo Soltero will be on view throughout the Promenade.
Forest Lawn
When: Noon-3 p.m. Sunday at the Cypress, Covina Hills and Glendale locations, and 3:306:30 p.m. Thursday at the Cathedral City location
Where: 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress; 21300Via Verde St., Covina; 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale; and 69855 E. Ramon Road, Cathedral City
Cost: Free
Information: all-events
Check out folkloric dance and mariachi performances, community altars, artwork, food trucks and 6-foot Catrina sculptures at all locations. Bob Baker Marionette Theater will do performances at the Covina Hills, Cypress and Glendale locations.
Grand Park
When: forestlawn.com/
Daily through Thursday
Where: 200N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Cost: Free
Information: grandparkla.org
The downtown L.A. park's celebration of Day of the Dead continues through Nov. 2 with a display of 19 professionally designed altars and a community altar that honors the victims of gun violence in Monterey Park and those who perished in Maui's wildfires.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5 p.m.midnight Saturday
Where: 6000Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
Cost: Tickets for day event start at $35; tickets for the night event start at $60.
Information: ladayofthedead.com
This is a huge celebration that attracts thousands of people to the famous cemetery. The daytime event is for families, with a busy Children's Plaza, more than 150 Aztec dancers and performers on four stages, and altars throughout the cemetery. At night it's more adult-oriented, with dance music by Bomba Estereo and Nochenegra, and vinyl records spun by DJ Mar and DJ El Keamo. Come dressed up in Day of the Dead outfits for both events.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
When: Noon Sunday
Where: 501N. Main St., Los Angeles
Cost: Free
Information:
The venue will offer lessons on historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead traditions plus live music and dance and art workshops.
Laguna
lapca.org
Art Museum
When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 3-5 p.m. Saturday
Where: 307Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach
Cost: Museum admission is $12for adults and $9for students, older adults and military personnel
Information: lagunaartmuseum. org
The Laguna Art Museum is inviting Self Help Graphics & Art to bring the group's Barrio Mobile Art Studio to teach the art of screen printing. Participants will create handmade stencils with their own designs, and will silk screen images onto tote bags in Dia de los Muertos style.
Long Beach Dia de los Muertos Parade
When: 11a.m.-12:30p.m. Nov. 4 longbeach.gov
Check out floats, cultural performances and music as the parade makes its way down Pine Avenue toward Rainbow Lagoon, where it will culminate with an Arte y Ofrendas Festival.
Mercado La Paloma
Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the daylong street party along six blocks in downtown Riverside. The celebration includes a display of altars, music from bands on two stages plus a car show and a lucha libre ring where wrestlers will battle it out throughout the day.
Self Help Graphics
When: Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, 3-8 p.m. Nov. 4
Where: East Los Angeles Library (4837E. Third St., Los Angeles) for art workshops, Civic Center Park (4801 E. Third St., Los Angeles) for celebration.
Cost: Free
Information: com selfhelpgraphics.
On Saturday, Self Help Graphics will offer free Día de los Muertos art workshops where participants will learn about and create traditional crafts to honor the dead. Then on Nov. 4, it's the 50th annual Día de los Muertos Celebration at Civic Center Park. Dress up in Día de los Muertos fashion. There will be a mobile procession, altars by local artists and community members, the Muertos Marketplace, food by local vendors and entertainment from the main stage.