Day of the Dead events spring to life around the Bay Area.
The Bay Area has embraced the Mexican traditions of Dia de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, with parades, art exhibits, theatrical performances and other gatherings that start earlier than All Saints’ Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day and extend beyond those dates. Here’s a sampling of events in chronological order.
Major events LA ULTIMA PARADA, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY »
Billed as a “celebration of life on the Day of the Dead,” this family festival at the Mexican Heritage Plaza in San Jose has been expanded to two days this year. On Saturday, the evening event will start with an Alum Rock Altar Walk to see 30 altars and other artworks in three blocks near the plaza. Music, dance performances will follow. Sunday’s big festival will feature a concert by Quetzal, 300 masked dancers performing La Viejada, plus costume contest, arts and crafts, bingo, food booths, marketplace.
DETAILS » 1700 Alum Rock Ave. for all events. Schedule, 6-11 p.m. Saturday, with free admission that evening. Noon-8 p.m. Sunday; general admission $5, with kids 10 and under admitted free. www.laultimaparada.org.
CALVARY CEMETERY CELEBRATION, SATURDAY »
This San Jose cemetery’s annual celebration, co-sponsored by the Silicon Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will feature dance and choral performances, a community altar, face painting and children’s crafts.
DETAILS » 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at 2650 Madden Ave. Free admission. www. catholiccemeteriesdsj.org.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL, SUNDAY »
This Unity Council-sponsored event in Oakland’s Fruitvale district is now in its 22nd year. The event will feature ballet folklorico, Aztec dancers, live entertainment on three stages, a children’s pavilion with carnival rides, artisans, vendors and food and beverage booths. Festival attendees are encouraged to bring photos of loved ones or other mementos to the Community Altar at East 12th Avenue and Avenida de la Fuente.
DETAILS » 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in the Fruitvale Village,
East 12th Avenue and 33rd Avenue. Admission is free. www.unitycouncil.org. DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION, NOV. 2 »
This evening event in downtown Berkeley will feature the building of community altars, live music, do-it-yourself art projects, skeletal face painting, food trucks, beer and wine garden and a candlelight procession at 9 p.m.
DETAILS » 5-10 p.m. Nov. 2 on Kittredge Street and Harold Way. Free admission. www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com.
DAY OF THE DEAD PROCESSION, NOV. 2 »
In San Francisco, the Marigold Project presents the annual Festival
of Altars at Garfield Park, plus a procession that will begin at 7 p.m. at 22nd and Bryant streets and end at the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring flowers, candles and mementos of loved ones to place on the altars.
DETAILS » 4-11 p.m. Nov. 2 at the park, 26th and Harrison streets. Free admission. www.dayofthedeadsf.org.
Music, theater, dance LUNA MEXICANA, DANCE, THROUGH NOV. 3 »
The Oakland Ballet’s Day of the Dead troupe will tour throughout the East Bay with a piece about a young woman’s dreams reviving her relatives, who dance back to life in spirited forms. Performances
Friday in Pleasanton and Wednesday in Dublin, and a Nov. 3 performance at the Paramount in Oakland.
DETAILS » Ticket prices, packages vary; purchase at www.oaklandballet.org.
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS COMMUNITY CONCERT, NOV. 4 »
The San Francisco Symphony will present two concerts with noted vocalist Eugenia León of Mexico on Nov. 4: a family-friendly 2 p.m. matinee and a more intimate 8 p.m. concert with León’s band. Concertgoers should arrive early for festivities including altars, folk art, dancing and refreshments.
DETAILS » Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. Tickets $12.50-$95. www.sfsymphony.org.
Museums, art exhibits COMMUNITY DAY, SATURDAY »
Families are invited to attend the San Jose Museum of Art’s Day of the Dead celebration, with Mexican folk dancers and Aztec dancers, skeleton performers, sugar skull decorating, photo ops and more.
DETAILS » 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at 110 S. Market St. Free admission, but order tickets ahead of time online at sjmusart.org.
MAGIC LANTERN 3-D SHOW, TUESDAY »
Redwood City’s popular 3-D light show will take on a Day of the Dead theme on Halloween night. The 15-minute shows are projected onto the facade of the San Mateo County History Museum.
DETAILS: » 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Courthouse Square, downtown Redwood City. Admission is free; attendees may bring chairs and blankets. ww.visitrwc.org.
“METAMORPHOSIS AND MIGRATION: DAYS OF THE DEAD,” THROUGH JAN. 14 »
The Oakland Museum of California’s Day of the Dead exhibit focuses on the annual migration to Mexico of monarch butterflies, which also symbolizes the return of loved ones’ souls. The exhibit includes works of art, butterfly specimens, altars, a new mural in the Oak Street Plaza, plus a special commemoration of lives lost in the Ghost Ship fire.
DETAILS » Admission $6.95 youths to $15.95 adults; free for children 8 and under. Special rates for 5-10 p.m. Fridays. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. 1000 Oak St., Oakland; www.museumca.org.