Taking place during the first two nights of November, Día de los Muertos is a high-spirited Mexican tradition known for its vibrant characteristics like golden paths of cempasúchil (marigold) petals and glimmering calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls). This celebration, originating from Mexico, has made its way into the lives of many in California, having countless events and festivals around Orange County. Here are some places worth checking out during the early beginnings of November!
Moreno’s Restaurant – Nov. 1
For an authentic culinary experience, try Moreno’s restaurant in Orange! Moreno’s menu consists of a variety of Mexican cuisine, such as spicy and saucy enchiladas, flavor-packed carne asada dishes, and classical quesadillas. Energetic mariachi music will accompany the vibrancy throughout the night along with a showing of baile folklórico, a traditional Mexican dance performed with extravagant outfits. In the spirit of celebrating the dead, Moreno’s atmosphere is lively and colorful, a perfectly suitable location to spend Día de los Muertos.
9th Annual Viva La Vida Dia de Muertos Festival – Nov. 4
4th Street in Santa Ana will display a dazzling and jubilating environment that comes with the Viva La Vida Festival and Parade. For one night, this street will be bustling with artisan vendors, music and entertainment, harboring food trucks, and displaying traditional ofrendas (altars) built by both community members and organizations. These ofrendas, which can be reserved at their website vivalavidasantaana.org, will flourish with iconic cultural symbols like papel picado, decorative paper with intricate designs, and La Virgen de Guadalupe, a famous Mexican religious figure.
Noche de Altares – Nov. 4
Centro Cultural de México brings Noche de Altares, or Night of Altars, to Santa Ana. There will be an abundance of colorful artisan shops and local food vendors whom you could purchase goodies from to support local Hispanic small businesses! Traditional and freestyle ofrendas will also be visitable throughout the night to honor loved ones and share their life stories. Other festivities found within this event include live mariachi music in company with cultural performances, including baile folklórico.
Bowers Museum – Nov. 5
Enjoy a festival fit for your family! Cultural art projects like calavera face painting, sugar skull paints, paper cempasúchil flower making, and live musical performances will be present at the Museum. From Oct. 25 to Nov. 12, an ofrenda in the Bowers Museum Historic Courtyard Annex will also be open to the public during the museum’s operating hours. This community ofrenda is furnished with decorations and trinkets, having a mix of photos of yours and others’ loved ones that everyone celebrates and memorializes.
As melancholy as the death of loved ones may sound, it would be even more so without remembering them and honoring the beautiful life and memories they shared. Around the world and here in California, candles illuminate altars and the frames of departed loved ones during Día de los Muertos, commemorating their wonderful lives for years to come.
