Días de los Muertos - or Day of the Dead - has become an important celebration for communities around the Bay Area. From altars to food to music, it’s a community gathering that welcomes everyone.

Here are some of the Day of the Dead happenings in our communities.

The Oakland Museum of California is hosting its annual Day of the Dead exhibit, which features the work of a wide range of artists, students and museum docents.

"Forgotten Stories, Remarkable Lives" celebrate this year's exhibit Sunday with an opening ritual, craft activities, food and dance and music performances.

The exhibit runs through Dec. 9 and will offer gallery tours, demonstrations of traditional Meso-American arts as well as local Days of the Dead merchandise. The event is free with regular museum admission.

For more information, visit www.museumca.org .

In San Francisco, La Cocina is hosting an evening exploring the Day of the Dead food and culture connection in the Mission from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24, with one of the graduates of its incubator program. Chef Luis Valdez will teach participants how to make traditional breads and other dishes for Day of the Dead. The event includes dinner and drinks.

For more information, visit: www.lacocinasf.org/events/october-24th-dia-de-los-muertos.

Berkeley also is getting in on the celebrations with the fourth annual Dìa de los Muertos Celebration to be held on from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. It will include food trucks, a wine and beer garden and free skeletal face painting and art projects.

The event, sponsored by the North Shattuck Association, will be held on Shattuck Avenue between Rose and Vine streets in Berkeley. Costumes and papier maché giant heads are encouraged.

For more information, visit: www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/day-of-dead.