Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, and in places such as the city of Los Angeles by people of Mexican ancestry. Acknowledged internationally by many other cultures, this multi-day holiday focuses on food, family and friends who pray for and remember loved ones who have died, in hopes that their prayers help support their spiritual journey.

Here are 8 of the Best Ways to Celebrate Día de Muertos in Los Angeles:

San Pedro Dia de los Muertos Festival

This Sunday, October 30, The San Pedro Property Owners’ Alliance, a non-profit organization, presents The 5th Annual San Pedro Dia de los Muertos Festival. This free, family oriented event will feature live entertainment, beer garden, delicious foods, crafts for kids, altar contest exhibition. San Pedro is expecting 10,000 guests to attend the festive event with a live performance by the Grammy Award-winning group, Mariachi Divas, an all-female mariachi band based in Los Angeles.

Come dressed in Dia del los Muertos to enjoy freshly prepared Latin American bites and artisan crafts from over 35 vendors., Get your face painted, shop for handmade jewelry, clothing and other specialty items.  At the free arts and crafts activity center, children can create a Dia de Los Muertos souvenir.

See the uniquely designed altars at the Altars Competition and Exhibition. Festival information parking map can be found at: http://www.SanPedroDayofTheDead.com.  San Pedro Dia De Los Muertos. https://www.facebook.com/ DowntownSanPedro/events
398 West 6th Street. San Pedro, CA – 3 to 9 p.m. FREE ADMISSION.

Antonio’s on Melrose Celebrates the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Nowthrough Wednesday, Nov. 2, offering special dishes, breads and treats in observance of the holiday, which originated in Mexico.Dia de los Muertos honors loved ones who have passed away, and the holiday is traditionally celebrated with dishes such as chicken or enchiladas with molé sauce, and chicken pipian. The festive holiday is marked by colorful decorations, flowers and costumes, as well as skeletons and skulls, said Irma Rodriguez, whose father Antonio Gutierrez founded Antonio’s on Melrose in 1970.Dia de los Muertos has started early at Antonio’s on Melrose with an altar created by Rodriguez, photo above. “The celebration is a remembrance, with great meals and memories and music,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a time of happiness; a big celebration.” In addition to the celebratory dishes, Antonio’s on Melrose is holding a Day of the Dead costume contest on Oct. 30 starting at 5 p.m. with prizes, goodies and giveaways.Antonio’s on Melrose is located at 7470 Melrose Ave. Call (323)658-9060, or visit http://www.antoniosonmelrose.com. (This was featured in the Beverly Press 10/27/16)

Gracias Madre Dia de los Muertos

Gracias Madre is holding a festive Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. with Aztec dancers and an altar decorating ceremony. Chef Chandra Gilbert is serving special pumpkin empanadas with mole negro. Another treat is pan de muertos con chocolate. The special dishes pair well with beverage director Jason Eisner’s PUNkin horchata cocktails, which are available through Tuesday, Nov. 1. The cocktails are made with almond milk horchata, espresso, Xicaru mezcal, pumpkin syrup and spicy whipped cream. In observance of Dia de los Muertos on Nov. 1, guests can write prayers to family members and others who have passed away to be placed on the altar. Authentic altars contain favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living. 8905 Melrose Ave., (323)978-2170.

The Cannibal LA (Culver City)

During Dia de los Muertos, sink your teeth into these bone-in dishes during the skeletal holiday at this butchery & gastropub offering a meat-heavy menu along with an extensive beer list & cocktails. Celebrate with The Ole 96’er – 60-day dry-aged, bone-in rib eye (96 oz.) a monstrous dish that must be ordered in advance, as it takes about 6 hours to cook. Or order the General Tso’s Pig’s Head – ½ pig’s head served with a General Tso-style sauce, moo shoo pancakes, and broccoli slaw. 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City – Phone: (310)838-2783.

E.P. & L.P.* (West Hollywood)
Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. Always one with whimsical names for their dishes, order Check Yo Neck – wood-grilled lamb neck with lettuce, herbs, and chili jam on Dia de los Muertos or  Lou Dogg’s Crispy Skin Chicken – ½ Mary’s Farm chicken with black vinegar, chili, and lemon. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd. (310)855-9955 – EPLOSANGELES.COM.

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar (Sawtelle, Fairfax, Downtown, Santa Monica)

K-BBQ Burger – grilled pork belly, “kim-cheese,” sprouting onion, gochujang barbeque sauce, sesame salt, and fried onions or the
PCB (Plan Check Burger) with ketchup leather™, schmaltz onions, mixed pickles, crunch bun, and Americanized dashi cheese (flavored with fermented kelp and bonito flakes).
This fiery dish will enlighten your palate. Plan Check Kitchen’s Korean Cioppino is filled with  mussels, calamari, gochujang, soju bomb, and kimchi. For the address and phone numbers of each location, go to http://www.plancheck.com/.

Little Sister (Downtown, Manhattan Beach)
Dine on steamed Black Cod with bitter greens, pork belly, shiitake mushrooms, leeks, and a fermented soybean/chili sauce on Dia del los Muertos. 523 W 7th St, Los Angeles (213)628-3146 –  http://www.littlesisterla.com and 1131 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach (310) 545-2096 – littlesistermb.com.

Wildcraft (Culver City)
What make Wildcraft pizza taste so good ? Betty! Sourdough Pizza signature crust is made with a 30-year old wild yeast starter affectionately named “Betty”. 9725 Culver Blvd. Culver City, CA  (310)815-8100.