By Brent E. Beltrán

Candles. Photos. Marigolds and other flowers. Some favorite foods. Maybe a beer or shot of tequila. We all remember differently our loved ones who have passed.

Some remember with regret, others with joy, sadness, longing. But we remember.

Death is but a natural part of life. We carry our dead with us in our hearts and some are hoisted upon the bony blades of their forbearers. But we remember.

Every year November 1 and 2, los días de los muertos, are set aside to welcome back our ancestors and friends who have moved on from this mortal existence. And throughout San Diego numerous organizations have created celebrations to honor the dead.

The following is a list of Día de los Muertos events, fundraisers, concerts, art exhibits and celebrations around the county. Click the links for more information.

October 22 – 6:30-9pm – $30
Noche de Mole & Silent Auction Fundraiser
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave, San Diego 92102

October 22 – 5-7pm – FREE
Yellow Butterflies & Flowers
An altar installation commemorating Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez
New Americans Museum
2825 Dewey Rd Ste 102, Liberty Station, San Diego, CA 92106

October 22 – 6-9pm – FREE ($2 without candle)
Día de los Muertos Craft Night
Border X Brewing
2181 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

October 23-November 6 – 10am-7pm – FREE
Indoor & Community Día de los Murtos Altar Exhibition & Tours
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave, San Diego 92102

October 23 – 5-10pm – FREE
The Usual Suspects Día de los Muertos Photography & Art Show
Iron Fist Brewing
1985 National Ave #1132, San Diego, CA 92113

October 24 – 5-10pm – FREE
La Bodega’s 3rd annual Día De Los Muertos Skull Art Show
La Bodega Gallery
2196 Logan Ave, San Diego, CA 92113

October 24 – 7-10pm – FREE
Día de los Muertos Altar Tour & Art Exhibit
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

October 25 – 10am-5pm – FREE (Parking $5)
15th Annual Dia de los Muertos
Old Mission San Luis Rey
4050 Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92057

October 30 – 7-11pm – $10
Celebrating Life After Death
Queen Bee’s Art & Cultural Center
3925 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104

October 31 – 6-10pm – FREE
Día De Los Muertos Celebration
Mesheeka Creamery & Clothing
2113 Logan Ave B, San Diego, CA 92113

October 31 – 10am-6pm – FREE
Muertos Festival
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave, San Diego 92102

October 31-November 1 – 10am-8pm – FREE
Día de los Muertos
Bazaar Del Mundo
4133 Taylor St, San Diego, CA 92110

October 31-November 2 – FREE
Old Town San Diego Day of the Dead
Old Town

November 1 – 9-11am
Desayuno con los Muertos (Breakfast with the Dead)
Sherman Heights Community Center
2258 Island Ave, San Diego 92102

November 1 – 12-9pm – FREE
Izcalli’s 2nd annual Día de los Muertos Celebration
Market Creek Amphitheater
404 Euclid Ave, San Diego, CA 92114

November 1 – 6pm – FREE
20th annual Día de los Muertos Festival
California Center for the Arts, Escondido
340 N. Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025

November 1 – 10am-7pm – FREE
Fallbrook’s Día de los Muertos Celebration of Life
Masonic Cemetary
1177 Santa Margarita Dr, Fallbrook, CA 92028

November 1 – 1-5pm – FREE
Encinitas Día de los Muertos Celebration
Encinitas Community Center
1140 Oakcrest Park Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024

November 1 – Doors at 5, show at 9pm – $25
Noche de Muertos Day of the Dead Celebration
w/B-Side Players featuring Gilbert Castellanos
The Music Box
1337 India St, San Diego 92101

November 1-2 – All Day/Night – FREE
Chicano Park Altars
Chicano Park, San Diego

November 1-2 – FREE ($10 parking)
7th annual Día de los Muertos
La Vista Memorial Park
3191 Orange St, National City, CA 91950

November 1 (7pm) & 2 (8pm) – $10-$12
Journey of the Skeletons: A Día de los Muertos Play
Centro Cultural de la Raza
2004 Park Blvd, 92101

November 2 – 6pm – FREE
Annual Muertos Candlelight Procession
Sherman Heights Community Center to Chicano Park
2258 Island Ave, San Diego, CA 92102

November 2 – 7pm – FREE
Amigos del Rep present Historias Tenebrosas
San Diego Rep
79 Horton Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101

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Brent E. Beltrán

Brent E. Beltrán is a third generation pocho and second generation San Diegan that lives next door to Chicano Park in Barrio Logan. He's married to his warrior healer wife Olympia and is the proud father of a youngling name Sandino. Brent is a member of the SDFP Editorial Board, occasionally writes the column Desde la Logan and posts Looking Back at the Week every Sunday morning. He can be contacted at desdelalogan@gmail.com and through his Twitter account @DesdeLaLogan.

Latest posts by Brent E. Beltrán (see all)

• Looking Back at the Week: October 21-27 - October 28, 2018
• Looking Back at the Week: October 14-20 - October 21, 2018
• Looking Back at the Week: October 7-13 - October 14, 2018