Celebrate life at annual Dia de los Muertos festival

In November 2003, only about 100 people gathered at Bare Hands Gallery to honor the late Birmingham photographer Spider Martin with an art memorial inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead.

But the event grew into a full-fledged festival — Dia de los Muertos Alabama — and is “one of the largest and most popular events in the city,” festival director Keri Lane told Iron City Ink in 2018.

The event, presented by nonprofit Bare Hands Inc., will be back on the streets of Pepper Place in Lakeview on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5-11 p.m.

Attendees can display their remembrances of loved ones on public altars. They can also enjoy music, dance, face painting, a memorial roll call, a jazz street parade and the Frida Kahlo Ceremony.

There will be a beer garden, as well as food vendors offering authentic Mexican food such as corn, tamales, gorditas and tacos.

The Birmingham Museum of Art will provide crafts for children.

Tickets at the door are $15 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children ages 6 and younger are admitted free.

For tickets, go to bhamdayofthedead.com.