Day of the Dead is a celebration when the dearly departed return briefly to earth, to spend time with those they left behind. Celebrants create altars dedicated to the memory of the deceased, laden with some of their favorite things – from a bottle of liquor to a stuffed animal, and decorated with marigolds, the traditional flower of the dead.

This Mexican festival began before the arrival of the Spaniard conquerors, and was merged into the existing All Souls Day celebrated by Christians. These days, it’s typically celebrated between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, depending on location. Over the last few decades, it has also become a symbol of Mexican national pride and spread north into the U.S.

Here are some places to celebrate locally in 2017:

1. Anaheim: 5 to 7 p.m.,Thursday, Nov. 2. Free. Anaheim Cemetery Day of the Dead. Featuring a blessing by Father Arturo Ferreras of St. Matthew Ecumenical Church, mariachi music by Sean Oliu, and Ballet Folklorico Donaji. Free refreshments, desserts and Pan de Muertos, along with free small bouquets of marigold will be available while supplies last, and children can color their own free Dia de los Muertos mask. No parking inside the cemetery during the program. Please use street parking near the cemetery. Location: 1400 E. Sycamore St. Anaheim. Learn more: occemeterydistrict.com/article.cfm?id=113

2. Anaheim: Anaheim Marketplace. Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5. Free. 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration at this indoor swap meet. Families will be invited to place photos of their loved ones in a traditional Dia de los Muertos altar. Mariachi and folkloric dancers, arts & crafts, face painting, and much more will be available for the entire family. Location: 1440 S. Anaheim Blvd. Learn more: anaheimmarketplace.com/events/

3. Baldwin Park: Underway now, 4 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 4. Annual Day of the Dead altar and exhibit. Location: Arts and Recreation Center, 14403-B E. Pacific Ave., Baldwin Park, free, plus free related activities on Mondays. Learn more: 626-214-1601 or baldwinpark.com.

4. Canoga Park: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. 17th Annual Dia de los Muertos Family Festival. Free. Festivities are continuous all day in historic downtown Canoga Park, with live music, puppet show, altars and more. Location: Canoga Park Youth Arts Center, 7222 Remmet Ave

Canoga Park. Learn more: 818 346-7099 or culturela.org/event/17th-annual-dia-de-los-muertos-family-festival/.

5. Coachella: 3 to 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2. Free. Forest Lawn Coachella’s annual Day of the Dead celebration and religious service begins at 5 p.m. Music, refreshments, free souvenirs, entertainment and more. Learn more: forestlawn.com. Location: 51990 Jackson St. Coachella,

6. Covina: 3 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Dia de Los Muertos at Forest Lawn Covina Hills, with entertainment, vendors, refreshments and more. Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 29, religious service 3-4 p.m., Mariachi Divas performance 4-6 p.m. Location: Forest Lawn – Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina. Learn more: 855-800-5296 or forestlawn.com.

7. Cypress: Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Annual Day of the Dead celebration and religious service at Forest Lawn. Face Painting begins at Noon. Religious service begins at 3 p.m. Music, refreshments, free mementos and live entertainment. Location: Forecourt of The Ascension Mosaic, 4471 Lincoln Ave, Cypress. Learn more: forestlawn.com/event/ddlm-cy-2017/

8. Downey: 11 a.m.- 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Annual Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival. Live music and dance on three stages.Inside the Downey City Library, interactive art exhibit Casa Calaveras by artist George Newman. Film screenings, costume contest and more. Location: 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey. Learn more: ddlm.downeytheatre.org/.

9. Fullerton: 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26. Fullerton College will celebrate its annual Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead festival in the quad. The event is free and open to the public and regularly draws more than 1,000 people to the college. Location: 321 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. Learn more: news.fullcoll.edu/fc- celebrates-dia-de-los-muertos- oct-26/

10. Fullerton: Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5. Free. The Muckenthaler Center Dia de Los Muertos celebration with arts and crafts, altars, art workshops, food vendors, live music and dance, including classical Latin guitarist Joseph Yashar, the Rockabillys, Corona Dance Company, Conjunto Tenocelomeh son Jarocho and more. Location: 1201 W. Malvern Ave, Fullerton. Learn more: themuck.org/programing/2017/1/5/dia-de-los-muertos-fiesta.

11. Glendale: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. Free. Celebrating the Colors of Life Dia de los Muertos celebration at Forest Lawn-Glendale. Altars, hors d’oeuvres, arts and crafts, movie screenings, music and more. Location: 1712 S. Glendale Ave. Learn more: Forestlawn.com

12. Irvine. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2. Cost $12.50. Pretend City’s Day of the Dead with story time, sugar skull creations, paper flowers and parade. Location: 29 Hubble, Irvine. Learn more: pretendcity.org or call 949-428-3900.

13. La Habra. 1 and 3:15 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5. Free. Children’s Museum of La Habra Target Free Sunday. Children can enjoy Day of the Dead festivities while making sugar skulls and calavera masks. .A limited number of hand stamps available on free first Sundays. Location: 301 South Euclid Street, La Habra. Learn more: lhcm.org/933/target-free-days

14. Lancaster: Noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Dia De Los Muertos Antelope Valley, family activities, story time, community altars, art galleries, food vendors, mariachi music, dance performances and more. Presented by the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Location: Joshua Memorial Park & Mortuary, 808 Lancaster Blvd. Learn more: facebook.com/ddlmav/

15. Long Beach:11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) annual festival. Live music, food trucks and more. Park free on the street or go to the parking garage for $15. 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Learn more: 562-437-1689 or molaa.org.

16. Long Beach: 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. The 4th annual Dia de Los Muertos festival on Pine Avenue between 6th St. and 7th St. Live music headlined by Grammy-winning La Santa Cecilia. Learn more: facebook.com/events/1770739053226139/

17. Los Angeles: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. through Oct. 31, noon to 9 p.m., Nov. 1-2. Olvera Street Day of the Dead Festival. Free. Nightly processions at 7 p.m. with Aztec dancers and calaveras, altars, festival entertainment and face painting (extra fee). Location: Olvera Street downtown.

Los Angeles. Learn more and see the entire schedule: olveraevents.com.

18. Los Angeles: Noon to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 28 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. General admission tickets are $20, kids 8 and under and seniors 65 and over are free until 4 p.m. VIP tickets $120. 18th annual Hollywood Forever Cemetery Dia de Los Muertos festival. The Legacy of Posada. Featuring a tribute to Mexican artist and patriot Jose Posada, whose engravings became part of Mexican national symbolism. Altars, Aztec dancers, live music on four stages, food vendors and kids art projects. Altar contest. Costumes encouraged. Featuring on the Main Stage: Aterciopelados. Learn more: www.ladayofthedead.com

19. Los Angeles. 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Free. Noche de Ofrenda at downtown Grand Park. A month of Self Help Graphics & Art’s (SHG) art workshops concludes with the construction of a large community altar at SHG‘s Noche de Ofrenda. Over 40 community partners participate in the creation of 40 plus altars, including the SHG Community Altar. Led by premier altar-makers, participants are invited to place their newly created offerings on the new community altar, displayed during the Día de los Muertos festivities. Typically, more than 10,000 people attend this family event. Learn more: selfhelpgraphics.com

20. Los Angeles: Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. In East Los Angeles’ historic Calvary Cemetery, the 4th annual Dia de Los Muertos includes a Catholic mass at noon celebrated by the archbishop, followed by a procession culminating in the participation of family friendly cultural activities, altar displays, while enjoying food, song, artisan displays and entertainment, all within the context of Dia de Los Muertos as it relates to the Catholic faith. Live music featuring Helen Ochoa. Catholic Cemeteries is co-hosting this event with the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education. Location: 4201 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles. Learn more: catholiccm.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos-misa-y-celebracion-calvary-cemetery/

21. Los Angeles: 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 27. Free. Annual South LA Dia de los Muertos celebration, featuring live music from Tierra; Changüí Majadero; JukeBox; Mariachi Quinto Sol, Gazoo & y La Hostess Raqc, Arts and crafts and food for all ages. Hosted by LA Councilman Curren D. Price. Performances by legendary Latin R&B band Eastside All Stars featuring members of Tierra, Thee Midnighters & Poncho Sanchez + Changui Majadero, Gazoo (Subsuelo DJs) & JukeBox Live with mariachi and dancers. Hosted by: RaqC with altar curation by Self Help Graphics. Location: 345 E 51st St., Los Angeles. Learn more: diadelosmuertosla.org.

22. Mission Viejo: Noon until 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1. Free. Saddleback College Art Department presents Dia de Los Muertos in the Fine Arts Courtyard and Art Gallery, FA 202. The event will include a Student Art Sale (ceramic bowls, jewelry, and more), Salsa Competition, Steamroller Printmaking (large scale prints of Dia de Los Muertos themed designs), print your own t-shirts & bags, a public altar (bring items to honor your loved ones) and the Sol Agave Food Truck starting at 3pm. This event is open to the public and elements will benefit the Mexico Relief Drive. The steamroller prints will be on display in the Fine Arts Gallery from Nov. 1 through Nov. 22. Location: Saddleback College, 28000 Marguerite Pkwy. Mission Viejo, just east of Interstate 5 at the Avery Parkway exit. Free parking in Lot 12.

23. Monrovia: 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28, “All Souls’ Eve:” San Gabriel Valley Choral Company concert honoring the dead with selections from “Moz Requiem,” Moerten Lauridsens’ “Lux Aeterna” and more. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church of Monrovia, 122 S. California Ave. Cost: $20 adults, $15 seniors and students and $5 children under 12. Learn more: sgvccsingers.org

24. Oxnard: Noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. Free. The annual Dia de Los Muertos ceremony in Santa Clara Cemetery includes a Catholic mass at noon, followed by a procession culminating with family-friendly cultural activities, altar displays, while enjoying food, song, artisan displays and entertainment, all within the context of Dia de Los Muertos as it relates to the Catholic faith. Live music featuring Alondra Santos. Catholic Cemeteries is co-hosting this event with the Archdiocesan Office of Religious Education. Location: 2370 N H St, Oxnard. Learn more: catholiccm.org/event/dia-de-los-muertos-misa-y-celebracion-santa-clara-cemetery/

25. Pasadena: 6-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27; 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Day of the Dead celebration with self-guided altar tours, music, dancing, crafts and other activities throughout Old Pasadena, free, detailed schedule and map online. Learn more: 626-356-9725, or at oldpasadena.org.

26. Riverside: 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. 14th annual Day of the Dead festival in downtown Riverside, sponsored by Division 9 Gallery & Ballet Folklórico de Riverside. Food, music, dance and decorated altars. Pay to create your own altar. Learn more: riversidedayofthedead.com/

27. San Pedro: 3 to 9 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. Dia de los Muertos in Historic Downtown San Pedro. Expanded area this year includes live music, including the Mariachi Divas, face painting, children’s area, crafts, clothing, free arts and crafts for kids, altars competition, food vendors, beer garden and more. Come in costume. Location: 398 West 6th Street. San Pedro. Learn more: sanpedrodayofthedead.com

28. Santa Ana: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 5. Free. The Bowers Museum presents diverse Mexican music and Azteca dance, sugar skull and calavera mask decorating, and the festivity’s classic food accompaniments of Mexican hot chocolate and pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”). Free to attend the festival, charge for the museum unless you’re a Santa Ana resident. Mariachi, ballet folklorico, classical Mexican guitar, vibrant jarocho and cumbias, and dance performance of the Aztec underworld. Sugar skulls, calavera-style face painting and other arts and crafts for all ages. An ofrenda, or ritual altar, for those who desire to leave sentimental notes for their departed loved ones. Location: 2002 N. Main St. Santa Ana. Learn more: Bowers.org

29. Santa Ana: 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4. Free. Noche de Altares at El Centro Cultural de Mexico. Annual event where the community comes together to build altars in memory of loved ones. Live music, cultural performances, face paintings and art workshops. Food and craft vendors. Photo opps with La Catrina. Location: 4th and Birch, Santa Ana. Learn more: nochedealtares.org/

30. Santa Ana: 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 28. Free. Dia de Los Muertos festival at the MainPlace Mall. Family activities and live entertainment at Macy’s Court, Center Court and the Food Court. Free. Bring family and friends for live music and dance performances, face painting, a photo booth, kid’s art, cookie decorating, raffle prizes, and more. Location: 2800 N. Main St. Santa Ana. Learn more: shopmainplacemall.com/

Dia de Los Muertos at Fairhaven Memorial Park. Photo courtesy of Fairhaven.

31. Santa Ana: 7 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2. Fairhaven Memorial Park is hosting a Dia de los Muertos celebration to remember friends and family members who have died. A bilingual service in Spanish and English will be officiated by Deacon Jerry de Santos and Deacon Louie Gallardo. There will be a traditional offertory, entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Attendees are encouraged to bring a photo of a loved one to place on the altar. Location: 1702 Fairhaven Ave. Santa Ana. Learn more: dignitymemorial.com/fairhaven-memorial-park

32. Simi Valley: 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Cost $7 adults, $5 kids. Simi Day of the Dead at Strathearn Historical Park. Live music and folklorico dancers, storytelling, face painting, food vendors, crafts for sale, kids crafts, altars for display and contribution. Come in costume or get your face painted at the festival. Location: 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley. Learn more: simihistory.com

33. Sun Valley: 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 1 Free. 11th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration at the Sun Valley Youth Center. Art workshops, live entertainment, community altar, ritual dance by Danza Temachtia Quetzacoatl. Location: Sun Valley Youth Arts Center, 8642 Sunland Blvd. Sun Valley. Learn more: culturela.org/event/11th-annual-dia-de-los-muertos-celebration-at-the-sun-valley-youth-center/

34. Thousand Oaks: 5 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 26. Free. Dia de los Muertos evening at Cal Lutheran. The public is invited to join family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, face painting, raffles, desserts and music. A communal altar will be available. Sponsored by the Cal Lutheran community and the Latin American Student Organization. Location: Ground-level patio is located past the breezeway of Ullman Commons in front of the Mail Center. 60 West Olsen Rd. Thousand Oaks. Learn more: callutheran.edu/calendar/event/4058#event.

35. Westminster: Noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 29. Free. At Westminster Memorial Park, a bilingual Spanish and English remembrance service followed by grave blessings Face painting and decorating of sugar skulls, handmade by a local volunteer, Lorena Ortega of Huntington Beach, who has donated 200 homemade sugar skulls each year since 2015, uses the sugar skull decorating activity as an opportunity to teach kids about the Hispanic culture and history of the celebration. Location: 14801 Beach Blvd., Westminster. Learn more: Call 714-893-2421 or dignitymemorial.com/westminster-memorial-park-mortuary/en-us/community/event-details.page?eventid=6456&eventdate=2017-10-29