An altar for Marcia, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack at 36 in September. Her family and partner, Carina created the altar in her honor. “Instead of crying at home, I had to do something,” said Carina. “I had to do something to remember her.” Photo by Kelly Waldron.

On Thursday, marigolds were scattered, altars dressed and pan de muertos baked, in celebration and remembrance of the dead. Día de los Muertos has once again arrived. 

Known as the Day of the Dead in English, Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday for the living to honor the dead and celebrate life.

The Mission was awash in altars decorated with vibrant garlands, people holding candles and mementos of their loved ones that passed away, and the annual procession led by dancers in traditional Aztec feathered regalia, and skeleton Catrinas.

From the 24th Street BART Plaza to Potrero del Sol park, our reporters caught a glimpse of Mission residents today, in joy and mourning.

You can find out more about the Día de los Muertos events here, and our coverage of this day in the Mission from the previous year. We will add more photos throughout the night.

Woman speaks at microphone in a park, people stand in the distance behind her. Statues are behind her on the left hand side.
Rosa de Anda, executive director and founder of the Marigold Project, speaks during the Festival of Altars ceremony. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Three people stand by a table with flowers and crafts materials, in a park.
The Aceves family sets up its altar, in honor of relatives who have died. Three additional altars lay in front of the table to honor trans lives, Mary Ellen Pleasant and Palestinian lives. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
A cart of marigold flowers on some grass in a park.
Cartloads of marigolds are scattered around Potrero del Sol park, ready to be placed on the altars. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Pink boxes of pastries, pan de muertos, labelled with different flavors.
One of the many bakeries along 24th Street selling pan de muerto, sweet bread. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
An altar with various mementos including flowers, shells and teacups.
Another altar at Portero del Sol. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
An altar with bunches of marigolds and a pedestrian sign.
An altar to mark the pedestrians of San Francisco who lost their lives this year. Created by WalkSF, this altar aims to bring awareness to pedestrian safety. Each vase represents a pedestrian who was killed. There are 16 on the table. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Two busts with masks for Dia de los Muertos, and buckets of marigold flowers on the side of the road.
Shops along Mission Street sell marigolds and masks. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
A drawing of a person with face makeup and a floral headband.
Jaime Peralta draws. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
A stage in the park at dusk, lit up by strings of fairy lights.
A concert on Thursday evening at Potrero del Sol. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
An altar with a cross and various photos and mementos.
Another altar in Potrero del Sol park. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
A woman, sitting with her dog on her lap, has her makeup photographed.
Michelle Donehew Perez and her dog, Milo. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
Handwritten notes on colored paper attached with pegs to string.
Handwritten notes to loved ones who have passed in Potrero del Sol park. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
An altar with flowers, strings of lights and various mementos.
The altar outside Luz de Luna on 24th Street. Photo by Kelly Waldron.
A Day of the Dead altar about Palestine and Gaza
Several altars for Gaza and “Free Palestine” along 24th Street. Photo by Xueer Lu.
An artist sitting by the alter she put together, explaining her altar to the pedestrians.
Sa Francisco local artist “Forced 2 Fly” explaining the altar for Gaza to pedestrians on 24th Street. The altar has arts made by seniors and kids, a combined effort through generations. Photo by Xueer Lu.
A banner with the words viva palestina libre in front of a building.
A banner that reads “Viva Palestina Libre” in front of a building at the corner of 24th and Harrison streets. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • scene from the procession of dia de los muertos
    Scene from the procession at 24th and Bryant streets. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A person wearing a feathered headdress.
    The back of a dancer dressed in traditional Aztec feathered regalia at the procession. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • garland at a dia de los muertos procession.
    Garland at the procession. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A banner on a street in san francisco.
    Scene from the procession at 24th and Bryant streets. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A group of people in a procession on a street.
    The procession starts. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A person dressed as a skeleton with wings.
    Jessy, who stood among the crowd at the procession at 24th and Bryant streets, was dressed in a skeleton costume with white wings. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A man dressed as a skeleton walking down the street.
    Dancers in skeleton Catrinas started to arrive at 24th and Bryant streets. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A person dressed in a costume holding a disc.
    Ron Griffman, 47, from Shasta Nation, showing up in support. Photo by Xueer Lu.
  • A group of people dressed as skeletons playing concussion beats.
    Ron Griffman and his friends among the crowds. Photo by Xueer Lu.

History on the day of the dead

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Kelly is Irish and French and grew up in Dublin and Luxembourg. She studied Geography at McGill University and worked at a remote sensing company in Montreal, making maps and analyzing methane data, before turning to journalism. She recently graduated from the Data Journalism program at Columbia Journalism School.

Xueer is a data reporter for Mission Local through the California Local News Fellowship. Xueer is a bilingual multimedia journalist fluent in Chinese and English and is passionate about data, graphics, and innovative ways of storytelling. Xueer graduated from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism with a Master's Degree in May 2023. She also loves cooking, photography, and scuba diving.

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