Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is observed by many Latino cultures to commemorate and honor loved ones who have passed on. Building altars and adorning them with colorful paper flowers, decorating sugar skulls, parades of lavishly dressed skeletons and candles, are a few special ways to remember those we have loved. Officially, The Day of the Dead falls on November 1 and 2, but in the Bay Area events are spread throughout October and early November.

MARIN

Thursday, October 29: Dia de los Muertos Bilingual Storytime and Craft, 10am, ages 3-6, Corte Madera Library.

Saturday, October 31: Dia De Los Muertos Celebration, 10:30a-1p, free, decorating sugar skulls, face painting, snacking on traditional pastries and creating our own memory box, Mill Valley Community Center. 

Saturday, October 31: Cascada De Flores: Celebration All Souls' Day! 11-11:30am, music, dancing and laughter! Festeja Dia de Muertos con musica! Novato Library. 

Sunday, November 1-2: Dia de los Muertos, Bolinas Community Center

Monday, November 2: Dead of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos, 3:30 – 4:30pm, Paper crafts in the library! All ages welcome! Bolinas Library.

Saturday, November 7: Dia de los Muertos, 4-9pm, alters, art, face painting, parade, music, and more! Albert J. Boro Community Center, 50 Canal Street, San Rafael.

SAN FRANCISCO

Monday, October 19: Papre Skulls, 3:30pm, Drop in to make papel picado skulls with scissors and colorful tissue paper. Use templates provided by the library-- or design your own! Make one or make a garland of a few-- it's up to you! San Francisco Library, Ortega Branch.

Monday, November 2: San Francisco Day of the Dead, Procession and Festival of Altars, 4-11pm, art, music, performances and a walking procession, which help us contemplate our existence and mortality -- a moment to remember deceased friends and family, and our connections beyond our immediate concerns, Garfield Park, 25th/26th & Harrison Streets.

Saturday, November 7: Día de los Muertos Community Concert with Lila Downs, 11am, 2pm, & 8pm, Arrive an hour early for refreshments, live music and dancing, colorful altars, traditional crafts, and more, San Francisco Symphony.

EAST BAY

Saturday, October 24: Skeletonfest, 1-3pm, ages 3+, make sugar skulls, screen print a T-shirt or flag (bring your own clothing or fabric), make a cool or scary mask, and enjoy the Dia de Muertos decor and snacks throughout the Art Center! New this year: Make pom-pom skulls and eyeballs with artist, Dawn Gonzalez! Richmond Art Center.

Sunday, October 25: Days of the Dead Community Celebration, 11am–4:30pm, featuring main stage performances ranging from contemporary popular music to folkloric dance, Mariachi to Aztec dance. An artisanal mercado featuring traditional and contemporary apparel, craft, artwork, and food. A selection of festive food highlighting the Bay Area’s diversity of cuisines will be avaiable for purchase from Off the Grid, and Bike East Bay will provide a bike valet service. 

Monday, November 2: Day of the Dead Celebration, build a community altar 5-9pm, Blessing of the Alters 7:45pm, candle light procession 8pm, art projects, skeletal face painting, food trucks, music and more, 1400 block Shattuck Avenue, North Berkeley.

Sunday, November 8: Dia de los Metros, 10am-5pm, enjoy the flavors of Latin American cuisine and enjoy a day filled with entertainment on two stages, art and community, Fruitville Village, Oakland.

NORTH BAY

Saturday, October 31 - Sunday, November 1: The Day of the Dead Celebration, Safari West, Santa Rosa.

Saturday, October 31 - Sunday, November 1: Dia de los Muertos, Santa Rosa.

Sunday, November 1: Día de los Muertos Community Celebration, Everyone is welcome to bring photos to place on the altar, Maloney Memorial Waterwise Garden, Sonoma.

SOUTH BAY

Saturday, October 24: Día De Los Muertos, also called Day of The Dead, is a celebration of life. Día San José is a culmination of family, entertainment and most of all fun! Throughout the night, we sing, dance, laugh and celebrate our loved ones.

PENINSULA

Sunday, November 1: Day of the Dead, 5pm, music, kids activities, traditional food, vendors and altars contest at the San Mateo County History Museum. Procession, music and  crafts will be FREE activities for children, Downtown Redwood City.