How to celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Bay Area

Día de los Muertos at OMCA. Photo courtesy of OMCA. 

Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is a vibrant Mexican tradition that honors ancestors and loved ones who have passed away. The roots of Día de los Muertos, which usually takes place on Nov. 1-2, go back 3,000 years. One of the most cherished customs is the creation of altars (ofrendas) adorned with pictures, candles, favorite foods, marigolds and colorful skulls, inviting spirits to join the festivities. There are many ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Bay Area, from lively events and family-friendly activities to processions and a festival of altars. Hop on BART and join in celebrating this special holiday. 

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in the East Bay 

Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival is a beloved annual celebration. Photo courtesy of The Unity Council.

29th Annual Oakland Día de los Muertes | Fruitvale

When the Oakland Día de los Muertes Festival began in 1996, its goals were to document, celebrate and preserve the traditional celebration of the holiday, draw new visitors to Fruitvale and support small businesses in the area. On Nov. 3, head to Oakland to enjoy this must-see, family-friendly celebration where thousands now visit to pay their respects. Expect live music, tasty food, altar exhibits, rides and games for kids, arts and crafts and plenty of vendors. The celebration runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m with this year’s theme “Reflecting and Rejoicing.” Take BART to Fruitvale for the annual event 0.3 miles away at Fruitvale Ave. at International Blvd.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Berkeley. Photo courtesy of the City of Berkeley.

Día de los Muertos Festival | Downtown Berkeley 

This Bay Area Día de los Muertos Festival on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. is an excellent way to build cultural awareness and acknowledge the diverse LatinX community — the third largest ethnic group in Berkeley. Plus, it’ll be a blast! The free, outdoor event for all ages promises a full day of authentic food, arts and crafts, family-friendly activities, free community services and live performances. Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and walk 0.2 miles to Berkeley High School, 1980 Allston Way.

Join the festivities at the OMCA. Photo courtesy of OMCA. 

Día de los Muertos at OMCA | Lake Merritt

The 30th annual Día de los Muertos celebration at OMCA starts with a procession led by Día de los Muertos Committee members. Afterward, enjoy hands-on activities, tasty food, dance and music groups and colorful ofrendas. You can also pay homage to loved ones and support local artisans by purchasing Día de los Muertos goods for your home altar at the on-site Mercado. Tickets for this Oct. 27 event are $10 for all-inclusive festival and gallery access. Take BART to Lake Merritt to celebrate Día de los Muertos at one of the Bay Area's best museums, 0.1 miles away at 1000 Oak St.

The Día de los Muertos celebration in Jack London Square is fun for the whole family. Photo courtesy of Jack London Square. 

Halloween Día de los Muertos Family Fun Fest | 12th St/Oakland City Center

The Halloween Día de los Muertos Family Fun Fest is held on Oct. 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. This fun event in Jack London Square will include chalk artists, a mariachi band, crafts, a costume contest and Mexican Folklorico dancers. Bring the entire family! Take BART to 12th St/Oakland City Center for a memorable Día de los Muertos celebration in Oakland, 0.6 miles away at the plaza near Plank at 98 Broadway. 

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Francisco

Participate in the Day of the Dead Festival of Altars this November. Photo courtesy of Funcheap. 

Day of the Dead Festival of Altars | 24th St Mission 

Honor your ancestors at the Day of the Dead Festival of Altars in San Francisco on Nov. 2 beginning at 8 a.m. Participate by building your own altar and viewing beautiful community altars. You can bring flowers, 8-inch glass prayer candles and mementos of loved ones to contribute to the Community Altars. All are welcome to participate. There will also be live performances, interactive arts and crafts stations and cultural ceremonies. Take BART to 24th St Mission and stroll 0.9 miles to Potrero del Sol Park at 25th St. and San Bruno Ave.

Participate in this year's Annual Día de los Muertos Ritual Procession in the Mission District. Photo courtesy of Mission Local, Juan Pablo Gutiérrez Sánchez.

Annual Día de los Muertos Ritual Procession | 24th St Mission 

The Mission District Community's annual procession to celebrate our ancestors, relatives and loved ones that continue in our memories will be held on Nov. 2. The procession starts on the corner of 22nd St. and Bryant St. at 7 p.m. The experience takes about two hours and is led by Azteca Dancers, who stop at each corner to perform a ritual dance. Take BART to 24th St Mission to join or watch the procession 0.7 miles away at 22nd St. & Bryant St.

Head to the Exploratorium after dark to celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Bay Area. Photo courtesy of The Exploratorium. 

After Dark: Incarnation at the Exploratorium | Embarcadero

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in the Bay Area on Oct. 24 with ceremonial poetry, pageantry, live music and dance performances at the Exploratorium with the Marigold Project at After Dark. Here, we’ll honor our global ancestors and reflect on the balance of elements in the natural world: air, fire, water, earth and love. The opening procession starts at 7 p.m. Also, The Tactile Dome gets spooky (but not too scary) every Thursday this month. The interactive sculpture is eerily dark and full of mysterious textures and creepy sounds. Take BART to Embarcadero to learn and play after dark 0.6 miles away on Pier 15 at Embarcadero and Green St. 

Spend the evening at The San Francisco Symphony. Photo courtesy of the San Francisco Symphony. 

Día de los Muertos with the San Francisco Symphony | Civic Center/UN Plaza

The San Francisco Symphony has two fun events to celebrate Día de los Muertos in San Francisco. On Nov. 1, conductor Conner Gray Covington leads the symphony during the Academy Award-winning “Coco." On Nov. 2, the symphony presents its annual Latin American music and culture concert featuring traditional music with contemporary works honoring the holiday. Custom cocktails and mocktails are available on both nights. Also, enjoy dedicated altars and festive art installations created by local artists until Nov. 10. Take BART to Civic Center/UN Plaza for music and more only 0.4 miles away at 1150 Market St.

What is your favorite BARTable Día de los Muertos Event?

Share with us on social media at @SFBARTable and #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Instagram and Facebook to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.