Halloween Evening at the Altars: Avenida de Altares Walk + Aztec Dance
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Do you know why Halloween and the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) are always around the same dates?
The history behind that is Halloween is "All Hallow's Eve", the night before All Saints Day & All Souls' Day (Catholic), for saints and the departed. While the Aztecs had their own feasts for the dead, Miccailhuitl, and after the Spanish conquest the two merged into Día de los Muertos. That's why it always arrives right on the heels of Halloween. Interesting, isn't it?
So we are celebrating this Halloween evening with a different cultural experience, by going two Dia de los Muertos events that happen next door to each other in San Jose:
- Avenida de Altares the 10th, altar walk, Mexican Heritage Plaza
- Micailhuitl Dia de Muertos the 22nd, Danza Azteca Ceremony, History San Jose Park
We meet at a Mexican bakery, form small groups, and walk San Jose's candlelit altar avenue at sunset into Avenida de Altares at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. Then, for the adventurous, we drive to History Park for an Aztec dance ceremony with guest dancers from California and Mexico. A richer cultural experience, a bigger crowd, and a real festival vibe.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Avenida de Altares is a free community celebration with a community altar gallery, an artisan market, art activities, face painting, and a stage program, including a Catrina costume contest and a headliner. It runs 5:30 to 10:30 PM. This is its 10th year.
THE PLAN
5:00 PM Meet at Mexico Bakery, 1560 Alum Rock Ave. Grab some pan de muerto and a name tag.
5:15 PM Circle up outside the bakery. Quick intros, then we split into small groups of 5 to 8.
5:30 PM Each group walks Alum Rock Ave into the Plaza at golden hour. Sunset is 6:10.
6:00 PM At the Plaza entrance, each group takes a photo, then explores together.
6:45 PM Aztec dance crew: leave from the Plaza entrance (see below).
7:15 PM Catrina costume contest on the main stage. Pick your group's favorite and vote. Aztec dance crew: regroup at the History Park main gate.
7:30 PM Dinner with your group, at the event or at La Costa next door.
8:30 PM Winners are announced, then the headliner. Regroup at the stage.
9:00 PM Head home, or stay for the rest of the show.
FOR THE ADVENTUROUS: AZTEC DANCE AT HISTORY PARK
Micailhuitl is the 22nd annual Día de Muertos ceremony by Calpulli Tonalehqueh, a San Jose Aztec dance group. Their Danza Azteca runs 5 to 9 PM with guest dancers from California and Mexico, inside a free, alcohol-free festival with community altars, an artisan market, a food court, and lowriders. It's our first time at this one, so come for the adventure.
- Decide with your group at the Plaza whether you're in.
- 6:45 PM: walk back to your car with someone from your group, then drive yourself. It's about 10 minutes. You'll head home straight from History Park, so no coming back for your car.
- Navigate to 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose. Don't search "History San José"; its mailing address on Senter Rd isn't the park entrance.
- Park in the small lot at the main entrance. If it's full, use the Kelley Park lot at the end of Phelan Ave ($6).
Overflow: SJSU South Campus garage at 10th & Alma.
- 7:15 PM: regroup at the History Park main gate, then we walk in to the ceremony together.
- Hungry? The food court inside has 10+ vendors.
- After the dance, walk back to the lots together. The Kelley Park lot is a walk through the park after dark.
HOW GROUPS WORK
- No one assigns groups. Mix it up and join people you didn't arrive with.
- Each group picks a Pacer, who keeps the group together, and a Photographer, who takes the group photo.
- As you walk, decide on your group's favorite altar. You'll share it at the Plaza entrance.
- Swap numbers with your group, and post your group photo in the TownFlame WhatsApp group.
GOOD TO KNOW
- New here or coming alone? That's who this is for.
- Running late? Head straight to the main stage at 7:15 and find a group there.
- Photos are welcome. The altars are memorials, so please don't touch the ofrendas or the offerings on them.
- Costumes are welcome. Catrina face paint or Día de los Muertos dress fits the night best.
- Food is on your own. Bring cash for the bakery and any stalls.
- Getting there by car: parking is tight near the Plaza, so park near the bakery. If you're joining the Aztec dance, come by car.
- Getting there by transit: VTA Rapid 522 runs from Palo Alto and Mountain View along El Camino to Alum Rock & King, right at the Plaza. From there it's a 10-minute walk west to the bakery, or meet us at the stage at 7:15.
- Wear comfortable shoes and bring a layer for after dark.
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