Now in its fourth year, the Old Pasadena Day of the Dead Weekend celebrates the reverent yet vibrant Mexican holiday that honors loved ones who have passed before us. During the three-day event, 20 Old Pasadena businesses will create beautiful altars in their spaces for the self-guided Tour of Altars, while three community altars will allow the public to leave remembrances of their own. The weekend also includes an evening salsa dance party and instruction, calavera face painting, and live music performed by Marimba Tropical. All events are free and open to the public.
Tour of Altars
Visitors are invited to take a free self-guided tour, from Nov. 2-4, of both traditional and contemporary interpretations of altars lovingly created inside participating local businesses. The altars honor and celebrate the spirits of the dearly departed. A panel of judges will visit each altar and award monetary prizes in six categories.
The Tour of Altars includes three community altars at three locations:
– Big Bang Theory Way at 109 E. Union St. (Staged during the Salsa on the Alley event only.)
– Indiana Colony at 59 E. Colorado Blvd.
– CTRL Collective at 45 S. Arroyo Parkway.
Visitors will find the Tour of Altar maps on oldpasadena.org/dayofthedead. Printed maps will be available at each merchant altar location and at special activity sites during the event weekend.
Salsa on the Alley
Curated by La Junta and featuring live music by Cuba Rumba on Nov. 2 at Bing Bang Theory Way from 6-8:30 p.m. La Junta presents a salsa dance demonstration and instruction to get everyone warmed up for open dancing with Cuba Rumba, which performs salsa and a variety of other Latin rhythms.
Free Calavera Face Painting
Face painting will be available on Nov. 2 at Big Bang Theory Way from 6-8 p.m.
Weekend Fun
Live music with Marimba Tropical and free Calavera face painting at Mercantile Place between Fair Oaks and Raymond avenues on Nov. 3 and 4 from 1-4 p.m.
Old Pasadena Day of the Dead is presented by Old Pasadena Management. For more information, visit oldpasadena.org or call (626) 356-9725.
