Social Neighborhood -- Halloween's Avenida de Altares Altar Walk, San Jose

Halloween's Día de los Muertos Altar Walk + Avenida de Altares, a Day of the Dead event.
Saturday, October 31 · Meet 5:00 PM · Free

Have you got Halloween plan yet? How about follow us to visit Avenida de Altares -- Avenue of Altars, part of the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, at the Mexican Heritage Plaza of San Jose instead. To celebrate Day of the Dead, people often dress up in traditional costumes, with face paintings, and decorate altars in the theme of the dead. So two cultures coincides in the celebration of this evening.

We meet at a Mexican bakery, stroll along San Jose's altar avenue together at sunset into Avenida de Altares celebration at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, east San Jose. Come to meet your social neighbors, celebrate some cultural moments together.

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.
https://mhplaza.org/allevents/avenida26

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.
7:15 PM Catrina costume contest on the main stage. Pick your group's favorite and vote.
7:30 PM Dinner together, 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.

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.
- Shuffle groups in between.

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 carpool and park near the bakery.
- 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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