TODAY
Admire the many artists on display at the Mexican Museum
The Mexican Museum's newly opened exhibit, Mexico in San Francisco, features 42 diverse works on paper by 15 celebrated artists including Diego Rivera, Jesus Sosa Calvo and more. There will also be live demonstrations of hand-carved alebrijes—Oaxaca's famous, colorful animal sculptures.
Walk the Day of the Dead exhibit at SOMAarts
Now in its 18th year, the Day of the Dead exhibit at SOMArts puts a political emphasis on loss and collective morning with works that touch on police brutality, gentrification and displacement, discrimination and environmental destruction. Mediums include everything from silkscreen prints and barbie-doll tableaus to interactive digital mosaic and traditional canvas.
Eat through the Dia de los Muertos menu at Copita
Executive Chef Daniel Tellez is cooking a special Hanal Pixan (the name given to the Day of the Dead celebrations of the Maya people) menu through November 2. Copita will also transform the space with festive décor including marigold flowers, traditional candles and tributary photos and mementos. A local chalk artist will also bring Copita’s sidewalk to life with drawings of sugar skulls and other holiday symbols.
Photograph: Courtesy Arguello
Drink tons of tequila at Arguello
THURSDAY
Join the procession at Day of the Dead SF
San Franciscans are encouraged to bring flowers, candles and mementos of loved ones to place on the public altars around Garfield Park before the procession at 7pm. Admission is free, but a donation to the on-going GoFundMe campaign is recommended to help cover miscellaneous costs.
FRIDAY
Watch Luna Mexicana at the Oakland Ballet Company
The Oakland Ballet will celebrate the holiday at the Paramount Theater with a captivating performance that tells the story of a young woman who dreams of resurrecting her deceased friends and family. Arrive early for a chance to glimpse the ofrendas set up by the Oakland Museum of California and enjoy delicious, traditional snack offerings, such as hot chocolate and pan de muerto.
Photograph: Courtesy Eugenia Leon
SATURDAY
Listen to the Dia de los Muertos community concert at SF Symphony
This annual celebration combines traditional dance music with Mexican orchestral classics, led by conductor Alondra de la Parra and accompanied by Grammy-winning Mexican vocalist Eugenia Leon. Both the matinee and evening shows begin with welcome parties in the outside lobby, showcasing elaborate art installations by Bay Area artists, Aztec dance performances and family-friendly crafts such as sugar skulls, paper flowers and tortilla art. Don’t forget to pay your respects to the community altar dedicated to the victims claimed by this year's deadly hurricanes.