Sign up below to get Mission Local’s free newsletter, a daily digest of news you won’t find elsewhere.
The annual Día de los Muertos celebration has a long history in the Mission, dating back to when a group of local artists — Mia Gonzalez, Yolanda Garfias Woo, and Galeria de la Raza founders Rene Yañez and Ralph Maradiaga — banded together to make some of the neighborhood’s first public ofrendas.
They based these on family history, their love of Mexican artists like Jose Guadalupe Posada, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and a longing to honor the Mission’s own heroes.
This year, celebrations begin on Saturday and will go through Tuesday, with some displays open well into November.
Want the latest on the Mission and San Francisco? Sign up for our free daily newsletter below.
October 31
“Perreo Fest — Baile de Muertos” Dance Party at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts is bringing in the weekend with a Latin dance party. It is a 16+ event with drinks, appetizers and multiple contests including one for the best Catrina costume, the lively skeletal figure seen frequently in Día de los Muertos art, and best Perreo, a dance performed to reggaeton beats.
When: Oct. 31, 7 to 11 p.m.
Where: 2868 Mission St.
Admission: $5
November 1
Family workshops at MCCLA
The center is hosting multiple family-friendly workshops on Saturday. A few are free, including the “Catrina printmaking” and “Calavera or heart painting.” Others range from $10 to $40 including workshops for decorating sugar skulls ($10) or making the Catrina figures ($40).
When: Nov. 1, 3 to 8 p.m.
Where: 2868 Mission St.
Admission: Free – $40
Día de los Muertos: “We Love You” at SOMArts
The annual exhibition features traditional altars and contemporary works by self-identified women, transgender, and gender-nonconforming artists, curated by Río Yañez and Bridgétt Rex. The exhibition is meant to be a tribute to “those most affected by the current administration,” Dara Katrina Del Rosario, communications director, wrote in a press release.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, in honor of the Day of the Dead, gallery hours are extended to view the exhibit from noon to 8 p.m.
The closing reception on Nov. 7 includes an artist market, remembrance rituals, and drag performances curated by Per Sia.
Where: 934 Brannan St.
When: Oct. 11 to Nov. 7 (gallery is closed on Nov. 2). You can find the gallery hours here.
Admission: Free. A $15 donation is suggested for the closing reception for 16 and above. RSVPs encouraged.
Dia de Muertos street fair in the Tenderloin
The Tenderloin is hosting its own Day of the Dead street fair this year with live Latin music, local food vendors and lucha libre wrestling. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 1, to avoid clashing with the annual, Nov. 2 parade in the Mission District.
Community members can decorate ofrendas or altars together, watch Aztec dance performances and paint traditional sugar skulls. An entire area will be dedicated to kids-only activities and games.
Tickets don’t need to be reserved, but early RSVPs will get a free screenprint from Evolve SF.
When: Nov. 1, 2 to 8 p.m.
Where: Golden Gate Avenue between Larkin and Jones streets
Admission: Free
Night of Cempasúchil hosted by CANA
Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Americas is hosting a Night Market for Dia de Muertos in honor of the late Eddie Palmieri and his contributions to Latin music.
The family-friendly event will have live mural paintings, performances by indigenous dance groups, artist booths and food. Visitors are encouraged to bring memorabilia of their loved ones to place at the community altar.
When: Nov. 1, 4 to 9 p.m.
Where: The Great Lawn, Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission Street between 3rd and 4th streets.
Admission: Free
SF Symphony’s annual Dia de Muertos Special Event
SF Symphony’s annual Day of the Dead special event includes art installations in the lobby, workshops for decorating sugar skulls, face-painting, Mexican hot chocolate and custom drinks inspired by the animated Pixar movie, “Coco.”
The concert blends traditional and contemporary music to pay tribute to the festival’s rich history.
When: Nov. 1, 1:30 p.m onwards. The art installation will be on display until Nov. 12
Where: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.
Admission: $60 to $200. Children’s tickets are half price.
Bernal Heights Día de los Muertos
Artist and activist Calixto Robles will lead the creation of a community altar where attendees can contribute flowers, incense, photos, letters, or small keepsakes to honor loved ones who have passed.
The musical family René y Familia (La Familia Peña-Govea) will perform original and traditional bilingual music drawing on cumbia, ranchera, and sones. This is an outdoor event.
When: Nov. 1, 2 to 4 p.m.
Where: 500 Cortland Ave.
Admission: Free
Día de los Muertos Tour by Mission Lotería
Participate in a guided walking tour through the Mission District that explores Day of the Dead traditions via neighborhood murals and altars.
The tour includes stops at artisanal shops like Mixocatl and La Reyna Bakery, and the 24th Street BART Plaza, where people can purchase sugar skulls. Tours wrap up with a ceramics workshop at Artillery Ceramics to make a clay calavera.
When: Nov. 1-2, 6 p.m. onwards
Where: The tours start at Artillery AG + Ceramics, 2751 Mission St.
Admission: $81.88 per person
November 2
The Marigold Project’s 33rd Annual Festival of Altars
Every year the Marigold Project organizes the Day of the Dead Festival of Altars at Potrero del Sol Park. Hundreds of people attend every year. Community members can bring offerings like flowers or personal items to add to the community altars or they can reserve a space in advance to build their own ofrendas.
The altar installations will be open from 8 a.m. followed by a ritual ceremony at noon. In the evening there will be art and crafts workshops and musical performances.
When: Nov. 2, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Potrero Del Sol Park
Admission: Free
44th annual Dia de los Muertos procession in the Mission
El Colectivo del Rescate Cultural will host the 44th annual Day of the Dead procession in the Mission. Hundreds of people participate in the procession, joined by Aztec dancers, musicians and performers.
The procession starts at 22nd and Bryant Street. For the first time since 2019, and the passing of founder Juan Pablo Gutierrez, the Collective will have 13 hand-painted banners in the procession, all in the style of the traditional Aztec calendar.
This year’s theme is “Nuestros Muertos No Se Venden” or “Our Dead Are Not for Sale.”
When: Nov. 2, 7 p.m. onwards
Where: 22nd and Bryant St.
Admission: Free
More Day of the Dead, from Mission Local’s archives:
How Yolanda Garfias Woo brought pan de muertos to the Mission.
How to make your own pan de muertos.
We’re more than halfway there!
We’ve raised 2/3 of our $300,000 goal to cover immigration for the next three years of Trump’s term! More than 500 of you have stepped up since September — an incredible feat of community support.
We are humbled. We still have a bit to go: Donate below if you want to keep Mission Local in the courts, reporting on ICE’s actions in San Francisco.