For more than a decade, the city of Santa Ana, California, has hosted "Noche de Altares (Day of the Altars)," a popular community-organized Día de los Muertos celebration.
More than 100 altars were on display at the Day of the Dead festival, which draws thousands of visitors to downtown Santa Ana every year.
Terriquez Family Altar (Dedicated to Joshua James Terriquez)
Miguel Estrella & Friends Altar (Dedicated to Chris Tapia)
"Chris, we miss you, we think about you every day. #kingtio."
Mendoza Family Altar
Rivera Family Altar
"I miss you mom, there has never and won't be a day I won't think of you. I love you with all my heart. I wish you were still here. But I know you're watching over me and protecting me from all the bad. Maria Rivera Alejandre, my one and only true queen. <3" —Guadalupe Rivera
Philosophy Dons of Santa Ana College Altar (Dedicated to Tupac Shakur)
"Only God can judge me - 2Pac."
Mendoza Gutierrez Family Altar
"Always in our hearts."
Ayotzinapa Somos Todos of Santa Ana (Dedicated to 43 students from Ayotzinapa College who went missing in Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico)
Montano Family Altar
"Las raices nunca mueren... Solo si tu las dejas. La memoria de nuestros abuelos son para siempre. Ellos cargan la semilla de cosecha. Fuertes y Xingones son ellos. PUEBLA <3 ."
"Your roots will never die, only if you allow it. The memory of our grandparents lives forever. They carried the seed that led to the harvest. They were Strong and Badass."
Sandoval, Cruz, and Reyes Family Altar
De Colores Queer OC Altar (Dedicated to LGBT activist Zoraida 'Ale' Reyes)
"TRANS LIVES MATTER! Vuela libre mariposa. #DCQOC VIVE POR SIEMPRE."
More photos from Noche de Altares:
