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