Día de los Muertos

The vibrant celebration of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of the most captivating cultural events in Fruitvale. According to tradition, this holiday welcomes the spirits of the dead back home for the night, allowing them to reunite with their loved ones. While Mexican families have observed Día de los Muertos for centuries in religious ceremonies, the modern festival on the streets of Fruitvale traces its roots to the 1970s Chicano movement that began in East Los Angeles. During this era of civil rights activism, Mexican-Americans reclaimed their indigenous heritage and cultural roots, shaping the new Chicano identity.

Self Help Graphics & Art, a printmaking collective and the oldest Chicano art center still in existence, reintroduced indigenous customs such as ofrendas (altars) adorned with photographs of departed loved ones. Each November, the streets come alive with dancing, delicious food and costumes as over 100,000 community members gather to honor and celebrate Mexican heritage. Check out this video by the Unity Council to see footage of the event.