There’s some cross-over of Day of the Dead and Halloween events in California — Halloween is October 31, and Day of the Dead on November 1 & 2 begins at midnight just after Halloween ends. Both holidays make use of weekends to hold celebrations so the weekend of October 28-29 is quite popular in 2017.
It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31, and the spirits of deceased children (angelitos) can reunite with their families for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them. Commemorative altars are created, sugar skulls are made as candy treats, and people young & old decorate their faces with skeleton designs to welcome the deceased. Often there are candlelight or daylight processions to a cemetery or on festival grounds. The celebration is designed to be happy, fun remembrance.
Berkeley Nov.2
Camarillo Nov.4
Canoga Park Oct.28 & Nov.5
Cathedral City Oct.28
Davis Oct. 31
Downey Oct.29
Fontana Oct.31
Fresno Oct.28
Fullerton Nov.5
Gilroy Oct.14-Nov.4
Hollywood Oct.28
Irvine Nov.2
Long Beach Oct.21
Los Angeles Oct.25 – Nov.2
Marysville Oct.29
Mill Valley Oct.2
Modesto Oct.21
Murphys Nov.4
Oakland Oct.22
Oceanside Oct.29
Oxnard Oct.14- Nov.5
Palm Springs Nov.3
Pasadena Nov.3
Pleasanton Oct.28-29
Riverside Nov.4
Sacramento Oct.13
San Diego Oct.28-29 & Nov.1-2
San Francisco Nov.2
San Jose Oct.21 & 28-29
San Pedro Oct.29
Santa Barbara Oct.29
Santa Cruz Nov.6
Santa Fe Springs Oct.21
Santa Monica Nov.4
San Rafael Nov.4
Simi Valley Oct.29
Ventura Oct.29
Victorville Oct.29
Watsonville Oct.23-28
Whittier Oct.15
Winters Oct.30
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