Dia de Los Muertos is one of Mexico’s traditional holidays reuniting and honoring beloved ancestors, family, and friends. It is an ancient and enduring ritual when the living commune with the dead – a mystical night when the veil is lifted between their two realms and they may share a day together.

Dia de Los Muertos at Hollywood Forever cemetery was envisioned for the purpose of providing an authentic venue, in which this ancient tradition could be genuinely observed, celebrated, and preserved. This event has provided a gateway for those who wish to re-acquaint themselves with their deeply rooted traditions and profoundly engage with one of the most devotional celebrations for the continuous cycle of life.

Dia de Los Muertos attire strongly encouraged, come dressed in your finest Calaca (skeleton) apparel. Spend an eventful day relaxing and watching the evening stars appear as the cemetery comes to life with joyful celebrations. Enjoy fine Mexican cuisine and a wide spectrum of Day of the Dead arts and crafts available for purchase.

At the heart of this sacred event are the meticulously individually crafted altars and spiritual shrines. These dazzling private tributes and offerings which provide a linkage between ancient traditions and modern customs chronicle the perpetual relation between faith, family, and history.

The theme for this year celebration is El Magico Mundo de Los Alebrijes – The Magical World of Alebrijes. Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. See 100+ altars created by members of the community to their ancestors and loved ones.

The first Alebrijes, along with use of the term, originated with Pedro Linares. After dreaming of the creatures while sick in the 1930s, he began to create what he saw in cardboard and paper mache. Today Alebrijes are a vibrant part of the culture of Oaxaca.

Enjoy a vibrant traditional procession of hundreds of Aztec Ritual Dancers in full costume in the home of Hollywood’s Immortals with traditional Aztec blessings and Regional Musical-Dance group dedications.

There will also be an Art Exhibition in the Cathedral Mausoleum and a costume contest for the best dressed Calaca.

Children can enjoy the arts project area presented by LACMA (The Los Angeles County Museum of Art). Adults can enjoy arts and crafts vendors and food vendors from around Los Angeles.

The main stage headliner will be legendary vocalist and former lead singer of the bands Caifanes and Jaguares, Saul Hernandez. Saul creates music that reflects the present and is rooted in the most telluric past. Performed live, his music is more than a concert: it is a ritual. This year features a new third stage featuring music and theatrical performances including Ceci Bastida, Buyepongo, Chicano Batman, and Quitapenas.

Home to the oldest memorial park in Hollywood dating back to 1899, Hollywood Forever is the only cemetery in the country which opens its gates and welcomes its surrounding community to commemorate El Dia de Los Muertos.

Hollywood Forever is genuinely focused in striving to bestow a memorable occasion by embracing the celebratory process of death and dying through providing a historically recognized cultural setting for this festive event and sacred observance. This community based event encompasses and visually illustrates a Pre-Columbian ancient jovial traditional view of death with a modern eclectic celebratory observance.

Dia de Los Muertos is a time of celebration on remembrance. It is also a time to come to terms with our mortality and become aware of the cycle of life and death. Rather than deny and fear death this event teaches us to accept and contemplate the meaning of mortality.

WHAT: Dia De Los Muertos 
WHEN: Saturday, November 2, 2013 | 12:00 pm – 12:00 am
WHERE: Hollywood Forever | 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. | Hollywood, CA 90038

DETAILS:

• Tickets: $25
• Children under 8 years and under free until 4:00 pm
• Seniors 65 and over free until 4:00 pm

CONTACT INFO: (323) 308-4765 | events@hollywoodforever.com

SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook | Twitter | Yelp 

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Mr. Events.