Halloween has its perks—ladies get to dress up like their Jezebel alter egos—but Dia De Los Muertos is one of a kind. When else can you build an altar for your fallen homie and douse it with their favorite alcoholic beverage, or leave water and tobacco to honor your ancestors? Day of the Dead is the coolest and we’ve compiled a list to show you why.
Ofrendas 2008
Art & Installation Opening, Thursday, Oct 30, 7-10 p.m.
Calavera Fashion Show & Walking Altars, Saturday, Nov 8, 7-11 p.m.
Witness one of the most popular events of the season—a calavera/altar-themed fashion show presented by Tropico de Nopal art gallery and artists Ofelia Esparza, Juana Flores, Ana Serrano, and Marianne Sadowski, and designers Edith Abeyta, Germs, Jose Lozano, Cici Segura, Orquidia Violeta and many more.
Noche de Altares
Santa Ana’s Calacas store, which sells products made by indigenous people in Mexico and local artisans, and El Centro Cultural de Mexico organize this 6th annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration featuring danzantes, altares, musica, comida, y comunidad. Take a picture with Jose Guadalupe Posada’s “La Catrina” creation, which represents the tradition beautifully.
Dia De Los Dead
Paint your face festively and wear a costume, or you won’t get into this Boyle Heights bar Eastside Luv that prides itself on being for and by “pochos.” Located kitty corner to Mariachi Plaza, this super cool hangout coined their sangria L.A. Sangrona and rotates music that makes you feel like you’re at a backyard quinceañera.
9th Annual Festival De La Gente
This free downtown L.A. community festival features an altar contest with local talent, organizations, and artists around the country and music ofrendas by Quinto Sol, Santos De Los Angeles, and The Wiseguys: Swinging 18 Piece Orchestra. Stay for the after party masquerade costume ball with DJ Jason Bentley in control of the sounds.
Hollywood Cemetery Dia de Los Muertos
What better venue to celebrate the dead than the Hollywood Forever Cemetery? For nine years, this event has attracted over 100 altares, art exhibitions, giant calavera exhibits, danza Azteca ceremony and procession, traditional Mexican cuisine, and live music. It’s a ‘Oh hell yeah!’
Dia De Los Muertos on Olvera Street
The birthplace of L.A. already kicked off their annual celebration with nightly novenaria processions at 7 p.m. and piñata breaking, children’s workshops, face painting, strolling mariachi, ballet folklorico, and altars this weekend.
35th Annual Dia De Los Muertos
Self Help Graphics & Art is synonymous with this holiday ever since it began celebrating it back in 1972 after two artists met at Evergreen cemetery to honor the dead and had an idea. When news struck that the Archdiocese secretly sold the historic Chicano arts space founded by the late Sister Karen Boccalero, the community was shook. Show respect and enjoy music provided by The Sirens, Conjunto Los Pochos, Malafacha, Badtown, Domingosiete, El-Haru Kuroi, Caguama, and surprise guests.