Dia de los Muertos traditionally happens around November 1st and 2nd. But in Southern California, the observations often start early, as they did this year with the very well-attended Hollywood Forever celebration on Saturday, October 24th. Word was it was quite hard to enter the celebration by nightfall, so, calacas, please take note for next year.
That said, there are still many Dia days still ahead at points around our city, including these two much-loved gatherings:
Canoga Park Dia de los Muertos Festival: Sherman Way opens up to pedestrians at the Valley's largest Dia to-do. Enjoy Aztec dance, altars, sidewalk chalk art, a classic car show and a procession. The festival says some 20,000 people attend, making it one of the largest celebrations in SoCal. Sunday, November 1, 1 2009, 10AM-5PM, Sherman Way, Canoga Park, (between Canoga Avenue and Vassar Avenue).
Fiesta Muertos at Olvera Street: Folklorico, Mariachi bands and candlelit walks mark the Day of the Dead in this historic corner of Los Angeles. Saturday, October 31st and Sunday, November 1, 2009, noon-6PM (there's a nightly procession at 7PM as well). Olvera Street, 845 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles.
