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Photos of San Francisco's Day of the Dead Procession and Festival of Altars

Naomi Fiss
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San Francisco celebrated Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on Friday November 2 in the Mission. This traditional Mexican / Mexican-American holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who are no longer with us, and helps us take a moment to acknowledge and reflect on the importance of those people. The festivities took place in two parts: The Festival of Altars at Garfield Park, where artists created beautiful and heartfelt altars. Separately, a candlelight procession was led from 22nd Street and Bryant, wound its way through the streets of the Mission, and included Aztec dancers, musicians, community leaders and activists. The images following show the beauty of community, the commemoration of lives, and the rich cultural tradition that the Mission District has held for decades.

All Photos by Naomi Fiss

ALTARS
Day of the Dead: Mission Stop the Violence. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead: Ghost Bike. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead: The journey begins...Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead altar. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead altar. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead altar. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead altar. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead altar. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead altar - musical tribute. Photo: Naomi Fiss

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Candlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Candlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Candlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi FissCandlelight vigil at Day of the Dead Procession. Photo: Naomi Fiss

FACES OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Faces of Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Faces of Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissFace painting at Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissBride at Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissBearded man at Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Faces of Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissFaces of Dia de los Muertos dancing in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissHonoring John at Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi FissFaces at Dia de los Muertos in SF Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss

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THE PROCESSION
Day of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss

MISSION STREET SCENES AND PAN DE MUERTO
People in the Mission on the way to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Dia de los Muertos mural in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead participants in front of Dia de los Muertos mural in the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissCafe in the Mission serving Pan de Muerto. Photo: Naomi FissShop window with Dia de los Muertos altar in the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Pan de Muerto in Mission cafe. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead participant in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead biker in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead skeleton in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead skeleton in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss
Day of the Dead marcher in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissDay of the Dead cruisers in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissPeople along the Day of the Dead procession route in the streets of the Mission. Photo: Naomi FissPeople watching the end of the Day of the Dead Procession in the Mission. Photo: Naomi Fiss

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