Día de los Muertos, which technically runs from Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, is one of Mexico’s most celebrated holidays. The result of Spanish influence on a centuries-old Aztec festival honoring Mictecacihuatl, goddess of the afterlife, Día de los Muertos now is celebrated around the world — and especially in Los Angeles, where festivals from the traditional to the contemporary celebrate los muertos all over the city. Traditionally tonight is reserved for honoring children who have passed, but since it falls on a Saturday, it’s when the city’s best Día de los Muertos celebrations are happening. Hollywood Forever, which claims to be the only cemetery in the United States where Día de los Muertos is celebrated, hosts its 15th annual event with the fitting theme of Quinceañera. Expect a traditional procession among the tombstones, more than 100 altars, musical performances on three stages, and an art exhibit in the Cathedral Mausoleum curated by Luis Villanueva. Downtown, head to Grand Park for a huge, free celebration featuring 50 traditional and contemporary altars (on view through Nov. 2), dance performances by Danza Azteca Xocoyote, Oaxacan group Nueva Antequera and Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, and live music from Very Be Careful and Palenke Soultribe. Plus: giant sugar skulls. If you’re near Long Beach, head to MoLAA, the only U.S. museum devoted to modern and contemporary Latin American art. Saturday night, catch La Muerte Vive! — Where Rock Opera Meets Cabaret, featuring musician Santos de Los Angeles, burlesque dancer Ruby Champagne and giant puppets (judas). Bring the family back the next morning for Target Free Sundays Festival de los Muertos — admission is free all day, so after you’ve decorated sugar skulls and checked out the community altar honoring author Gabriel García Márquez, head inside the galleries to check out some of the best of Latin American art (MoLAA altars on display through Nov. 9). Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos Concert, Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Sat., Nov. 1, 3-10 p.m.; free; grandparkla.org.

Sat., Nov. 1, 3-10 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 11/01/14)

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