Latinos across the world will gather tonight to honor their dead and celebrate Día de Los Muertos.
Day of the Dead, which celebrated the first two days of November, is a joyful holiday that honors and remembers deceased loved ones through a variety of cultural traditions, including altars.
Orange County residents can join holiday celebrations this weekend through a variety of free events offered by museums, cities, cemeteries, libraries and community organizations.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening in celebration of Día de Los Muertos.
Friday, November 1
Celebration in Yorba Linda
Celebrate Día de Los Muertos at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center. Enjoy children’s crafts, live entertainment and a food truck. There will also be an ofrenda in the center’s lobby.
When: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 4802 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Center at (657) 242-4660
Santa Ana Cemetery
Until supplies run out, pick up a children’s craft, Pan de Muertos and a small bouquet of marigolds at the Santa Ana Cemetery.
Ofrendas may also be constructed on the gravesites of loved ones.
When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1919 E. Santa Clara Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (714) 953-2959
Place a photograph of a loved one on the altar at Mission San Juan Capistrano, which will be on display through Tuesday, Nov. 5.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 26801 Old Mission Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Mission at (949) 234-1300
San Clemente
Join the 2nd annual Día De Los Muertos celebration at Max Berg Plaza Park. Attendees can enjoy altares, an art contest, traditional dance performances, vendors, food and other entertainment honoring the cultural traditions of the holiday.
When: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1100 Calle Puente San Clemente, CA 92672
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the park at (949) 361-8264
El Toro Memorial Park
Drive by the El Toro Memorial Park office to pick up small bouquets of marigolds, Pan de Muertos and a Dia de los Muertos Craft kits for children.
Families are invited to build personal ofrendas on gravesites.
When: 3:00 p.m.
Where: 25751 Trabuco Rd., Lake Forest,CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (949) 951-8244
Saturday, November 2
Celebration at Anaheim Cemetery
Enjoy live performances of ballet folklorico dancing and mariachi at the Anaheim Cemetery.
Guests can also get a themed craft, a small bouquet of marigolds, Pan de Muertos and face painting while supplies last.
When: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: 1400 East Sycamore St., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (714) 535-4928
Noche de Altares
Enjoy altars, live entertainment, music, food vendors and more at Noche de Altares in Santa Ana.
When: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: 4th Street between Ross and Broadway, Santa Ana, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact nochedealtares@elcentroculturaldemexico.org
Los Alamitos
Enjoy a Dia de Los Muertos costume contest, altars and entertainment at the St. Isidore Historical Plaza in Los Alamitos.
When: 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: 10961 Reagan St, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Cost: Free
For more details, contact St. Isidore at (562) 596-9918
Viva la Vida
Attend the 10th annual Viva La Vida in Downtown Santa Ana. Enjoy live entertainment, music, food vendors, altars and other traditions.
When: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: 309 W 4th St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Viva La Vida at info@vivalavidasantaana.org
Anaheim Central Library
Teens are welcome to the Anaheim Central Library to decorate a sugar skull, also known as a calavera, in honor of a loved one. Glitter, glue, beads, sequins and other decorating materials will be available.
When: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 500 W. Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-1880
Noche de Muertos
Families are welcome to Noche de Muertos in Fullerton for family-friendly activities, live entertainment and pop-up artist workshops in celebration of Día de Los Muertos.
When: 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (714) 519-4461
Dana Point
Enjoy mariachi, art, food, dancing and ofrendas at the La Plaza Park Día de Los Muertos celebration.
When: 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (949) 248-3530 or recreation@danapoint.org
Sunday, November 3
Anaheim Public Library: Haskett Branch
Work on an Alebrije craft at the Haskett Branch Library. Rooted in pre-colonial Aztec beliefs around spirit animals and guides, Alebrije are Mexican folk art sculptures that were popularized in the 1940s.
When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 2650 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-5075
Bowers Museum
Celebrate Día de Los Muertos at the Bowers Museum with a free family festival featuring music, dance, artwork and cultural foods.
When: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 2002 North Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (714) 567-3600
Monday, November 4
Irvine
Visit the Irvine Barclay Theatre for performances of mariachi, Ballet Folklorico and other live entertainment.
When: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Mimi Ko Cruz at mkcruz@uci.edu
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.
