Long Beach will be holding its seventh annual Dia de Muertos Festival. This event is set to begin on November 5th, and is set to take place from noon to 10pm in the downtown shoreline area. Specifically located on Shoreline Drive between Linden Avenue and Shoreline Village Drive. This festival is free, no tickets or purchases required for entry, so everyone can come and participate in this special holiday.
This festival aims to celebrate the massive amount of Latin heritage within Long Beach, which makes up roughly 43% of the total population in the city. It also seeks to celebrate the near 3 millenia old holiday, which holds its origin in Nahua history. In the press release given for the event, Mayor Robert Garcia said, “Día de Los Muertos is a day to honor our family and friends who have passed away. Our City celebration proudly reflects these long standing traditions and celebrates the rich culture of our diverse Latino community.”
Included at the festival will be a wide variety of entertainment to highlight the special significance of this celebration. Entertainment such as live music, beverages and food, and amazing custom arts and crafts. In addition, the Festival doubles as a Parade as they move through the area, starting at 10am at 3rd street and Pine. The Parade will go for over a mile, and ends at Shoreline past Marina park. The map detailing the route is available online. Included in the parade will be calaveras, Catrinas, musical groups, and dancers.
This year also promises to be even larger and last longer than the previous year due to the COVID restrictions in the Long Beach area being lifted. Last year, it was mandatory to show “in accordance with COVID-19 health mandates, regulations require attendees to show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test. Children ages 2 to 11 who are not yet eligible for vaccines are required to show a negative test. Those who are unvaccinated need to take a test within 72 hours of the event (as early as October 27).” In addition to these mandates, there was also the mask mandate last year. Both of these restrictions are no longer in place this year, allowing all guests to enjoy themselves to the fullest and properly enjoy this year’s celebration of life and death.
LB Living would also like to invite you to engage in our “Iconos y Ancestros: A Community Ofrenda” at the upcoming Dia de los Muertos Festival. You can participate by bringing a printed photo of your loved ones to display in the ofrenda. Please make sure that the photo is no larger than 4×6 (size of a standard photo). The ofrenda is presented in association with Adelitas Revenge.
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