Celebrating Dia de los Muertos in Orange County

Celebrated throughout Mexico, Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day holiday that focuses on gathering friends and family together to pray for and to remember friends and family members who have died while also helping to support their spiritual journey. Traditions associated with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas and honoring the deceased with Aztec marigolds, Calaveras and the favorite foods and drinks of the departed. The tradition also includes visiting the graves of the deceased with these gifts and leaving the items at the gravesite.

5th Annual Dia de los Muertos Remembrance & Celebration

The 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos Remembrance & Celebration will take place at Fairhaven Memorial Park on November 2nd. The event will feature a bi-lingual service as well as performances and food. Participants can enjoy live music and the customary sharing of pan de muerto while also creating ofrendas and lighting a candle to reflect upon their lost friends or family members. Fairhaven Memorial Park is located at 1702 Fairhaven Avenue in Santa Ana.

Dia de los Meurtos at O.C. Cemetery

A special Dia de los Muertos observance will take place at the Orange Count Cemetery on November 2nd from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. This second annual Day of the Dead celebration invites families to come to Anaheim Cemetery to build personal ofrendas on the grave sites of their loved ones. Those without a loved one at the cemetray can still choose to honor their loved ones by building an ofrenda in one of the designated locations near the Community Mausoleum. The free event will also feature a youth mariachi band, a youth ballet folklorico group and free refreshments and marigolds while supplies last. Anaheim Cemetery is located at 1400 East Sycamore Street in Anaheim.

15th Annual Noche de Altares

The 15th Annual Noche de Altares will take place on November 4th from 1:00 pm until 10:00 pm at El Centro Cultural de Mexico and Calacas. This ?Night of Altars? provides participants with the opportunity to honor the ancient traditions of Dia de los Muertos while also bringing community members together through culture, art and compassion. Participants are invited to built an altar in memory of a deceased loved one or to bring awareness to a social issue. El Centro Cultural de Mexico & Calacas is located at 4th and Birch Street in Downtown Santa Ana.

Dia de los Muertos at the Anaheim Marketplace

Taking place on November 5th from noon until 4:00 pm, Dia de los Muertos at the Anaheim Marketplace provides families with the opportunity to place photos of their loved ones in a traditional Dia de los Muertos alter. The event also includes arts and crafts, mariachi and folkloric dancers, face painting and other activities. The Anaheim Indoor Marketplace is located at 1440 South Anaheim Boulevard in Anaheim. The event is free for participants.

Bowers Museum Mexican Day of the Dead Festival

Bowers Museum will host its Mexican Day of the Dead Festival on November 5th from 11:00 am until 3:30 pm. The event will include sugar skull decorating, music, face painting, art projects for the entire family, mariachi, Mexican hot chocolate and more. Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N. Main Street in Santa Ana.