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Where to celebrate Día de los Muertos in SoCal
A boy plays the flute during a celebration of "The Day of the Dead" 01 November in East Los Angeles. The festival, both secular and religious, Catholic and pre-Columbian, is celebrated mostly by the Hispanic community of Los Angeles.
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HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images
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A boy views objects displayed on altars during a traditional Mexican celebration of 'Noche de Ofrenda' (Night of the Altars) in downtown Los Angeles, California on October 25, 2014, a week before the 'Day of the Dead' celebration on November 1.
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FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
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People in costume parade during the annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Hollywood, California on October 29, 2016.
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MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images
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Día de los Muertos is a holiday traditionally celebrated Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico to remember friends and family who have died. Here are some places to get your face paint on and participate in the celebration.
Plaza de la Raza Community Festival
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Plaza de la Raza MAP
COST: Free
This event has everything you could want out of a Día de los Muertos celebration. There are the traditional ceremonial blessings, live music, community altars and food. Visitors can participate in art workshops and watch the special live sand painting in honor of the holiday.
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: A boy plays the flute during a celebration of "The Day of the Dead" 01 November in East Los Angeles. The festival, both secular and religious, Catholic and pre-Columbian, is celebrated mostly by the Hispanic community of Los Angeles. Most other communities celebrate Halloween 31 October. AFP PHOTO/Hector MATA (Photo credit should read HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images)
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HECTOR MATA/AFP/Getty Images
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Día de los Muertos Procession
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, starting at 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Procession begins at Cypress Park Library MAP
COST: Free
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More than 200 residents, feathered Aztec dancers and city officials are expected to take part in this street procession. The route is 0.8 miles and ends at the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens, where participants can view altars and art installations.
Craft Workshops and Makeup Tutorials for Kids
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1 - Thursday, Nov. 2
WHERE: Los Angeles Public Library, various branches
COST: Free
The Los Angeles Public Libraries are offering workshops Wednesday and Thursday for kids to learn how to make traditional Día de los Muertos crafts, including cempazuchitl flower, sugar skulls and piñatas. Teens might enjoy learning to do the skeleton-style makeup. Check out the full list of events here.
Día de los Muertos Party at Fuego
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
WHERE: Fuego in Hotel Maya, Long Beach MAP
COST: Free
Enjoy live salsa music at Hotel Maya's Fuego restaurant at Wednesday's Día de los Muertos party. There will be an altar set up, as well as stations for tamales, street corn, tacos and free chips and salsa. Guests can also get their face painted or sample tequilas.
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Grand Park's Altars + Art
A boy views objects displayed on altars during a traditional Mexican celebration of 'Noche de Ofrenda' (Night of the Altars) in downtown Los Angeles, California on October 25, 2014, a week before the 'Day of the Dead' celebration on November 1. AFP PHOTO / Frederic J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)
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FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images
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WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1 - Saturday, Nov. 4
WHERE: Grand Park, DTLA MAP
COST: Free
Artists and community organizations have created colorful Día de los Muertos displays that take up four blocks of downtown L.A. Angelenos are encouraged to bring small offerings to the community altar. Artists offer lunchtime tours of their work every day at 12:15 p.m. starting at the Hill Street entrance of Grand Park.
Day of the Dead on Olvera Street
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1 - Thursday, Nov. 2
WHERE: Olvera Street MAP
COST: Free
Catch the last two days of this nine-day festival on this historic street in L.A., featuring live entertainment, face painting and ceremonial altars. There is a procession both Wednesday and Thursday starting at 7 p.m. The procession begins and ends with a traditional Mayan blessing, and free sweet bread and champurrado are given to all in attendance.
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Día de los Muertos Festival at 24th Street Theatre
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 2, 6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
WHERE: 24th Street Theatre MAP
COST: Free
Latin surf rock band The Space Sanchos are headlining this year's 24th Street Theatre’s annual block party to celebrate the Mexican holiday. There will be two stages of entertainment, homemade tamales, face painting and craft booths.
Día de los Muertos Festival Celebration in Long Beach
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Long Beach MAP
COST: Free
Holding off your Día de los Muertos celebration until this weekend? Long Beach might be the place to do it. There will be performances by Grammy winning artist La Santa Cecilia, KCRW's Raul Campos, and Long Beach local band KM. There's also art, food vendors and a beer garden.
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How are you spending your weekend? Let us know on Twitter @inkwaves and @LeoHasACat.
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