Celebrate Day of the Dead in Los Angeles 2025: Events & Traditions

El Dia de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Dia de los Muertos is the Mexican celebration of All Souls Day. It is celebrated with varying degrees of reverence and enthusiasm at Day of the Dead events across Los Angeles. Traditions include caring for the graves of family members, building elaborate altars to loved ones who have passed on, and celebrating the dead with processions, dances, and music. Calaveras, or skulls, appear in masks, costumes, paper mâché puppets, and candy, including sugar skulls that children decorate for this special day. Every Mexican community in LA hosts distinct festivities, from family events at local cemeteries to neighborhood block parties. Here are a few of the biggest celebrations.

Event Details

When: Saturday, October 29, 2016, 12 PM – 12 AM
Where: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., LA, CA 90038
Cost: $20 (cash only, correct change appreciated), children 8 and under and seniors 65+ free until 4 PM
Parking: Check the website for nearby parking.
Info: (323) 447-0999, www.ladayofthedead.com

The Olvera Street Merchants Dia de los Muertos

This event features nine nights of Novenario processions through the Olvera Street Mexican market at El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Site, followed by free pan de Muerto (sweet bread) and champurrado (a traditional Mexican hot beverage).

Event Details

When: Processions Oct 25 – Nov 2, 2016, 7 – 9 PM; Fiesta Muertos Nov 1-2, 2016, 10 AM – 6 PM
Where: Gazebo Plaza on Olvera Street, El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, LA, CA
Cost: Free
Info: (213) 625-7074, www.elpueblo.lacity.org

Dia de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics

As the city’s longest running and most authentic celebration of the Day of the Dead, this East Los Angeles community arts celebration occurs over multiple dates, including craft workshops leading to the main event on November 2.

Event Details

When: Craft Workshops Saturdays in October 12 PM – 3 PM; Exhibition Reception Oct 20, 2016, 7-10 PM; Procession and festival Nov 2, 2016, 4 PM – 10 PM
Where: Workshops at multiple locations, Exhibit at Self Help Graphics, 1300 E. 1st St, LA 90033. Festival at Felicitas and Mendez Learning Center (across from Self Help Graphics), 1200 Plaza Del Sol, Boyle Heights, CA 90033.
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Info: www.selfhelpgraphics.com, (323) 881-6444

Dia de los Muertos Noche de Ofrenda at Grand Park

Part of the Self Help Graphics celebration, this event will feature a blessing of 50 altars created by local partners, artists, and non-profit groups, as well as music, poetry, theatre, and dance.

Event Details

When: Saturday, October 29, 2016, 7 PM – 10 PM, altar display through Nov 5
Where: Grand Park, 200 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cost: Free
Parking: Pay lot under the park, limited street meters
Info: www.selfhelpgraphics.com, grandparkla.org, (323) 881-6444

Old Pasadena Day of the Dead

Old Pasadena celebrates the Day of the Dead with three days of self-guided tours of dozens of altars created by local businesses, culminating on Sunday with an afternoon Family Fiesta.

Event Details

When: Altar tour Oct 28-30, Family Fiesta Oct 30, 2-6 PM, Movie 7 PM
Cost: Free
Info: www.oldpasadena.org

Día de los Muertos Festival at the Museum of Latin American Art

Join this family festival featuring a Día de los Muertos Art and Altar exhibit, as well as art-making workshops, performances, and a costume contest.

Event Details

When: Festival Oct 30, 2016, 11 AM – 5 PM, Workshops, Wed-Fri, 3:30 – 5 PM drop-in
Where: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Parking: Free lot
Cost: Festival – Free, Workshops included in admission of $10 adults, $7 students/seniors, Free for kids under 12
Info: www.molaa.org

San Pedro Dia de los Muertos

San Pedro celebrates the Day of the Dead with a street party featuring live entertainment, an altar competition, food court, and a kids’ corner.

Event Details

When: October 30, 2016, 3-9 PM
Where: 398 West 6th Street, San Pedro, CA 90731
Cost: Free
Info: sanpedrodayofthedead.com

Santa Monica Dia de los Muertos at Woodlawn Cemetery

The City of Santa Monica hosts a free family celebration at Woodlawn Cemetery, including an opening procession and ceremonial blessing, followed by traditional Mexican music, storytelling, craft workshops, and food for purchase.

Event Details

When: October 30, 2016, 12-4 PM
Where: Woodlawn Cemetery, 1847 14th St, Santa Monica, CA
Cost: Free admission
Parking: Free parking & shuttle at Santa Monica College on Pico between 16th and 17th
Info: smgov.net

24th Street Theatre Dia de los Muertos Block Party

This event focuses on honoring those who have passed on, including art, music, dance, calaveras puppet theatre, and food at the 24th Street Theatre.

Event Details

When: November 2, 2016, 6-10 PM
Where: 24th Street Theatre, 1117 West 24th Street, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Info: www.24thstreet.org

The Downey Dia de los Muertos Art Festival

Downey’s Day of the Dead festivities feature screenings of cult favorites, “make & take” papel picado, luminarias, sugar skull decorating, continuous music, ballet folklórico, altars on display, face painting, and shopping.

Event Details

When: Sunday, Oct 30, 2016, 11 AM – 8 PM
Where: 8435 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA
Cost: Free Admission
Parking: Free Parking at the Civic Center and Downey High School
Info: (562) 861-8211, ddlm.downeytheatre.org

Dia de los Muertos at with Culture Clash at Valley Performing Arts Center

Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza lead the LA-based Culture Clash, focusing on cultural commentary and satire during the election season, in their performance “Vote or Die Laughing.”

Event Details

When: Nov 1, 2016, 8 PM
Where: Valley Performing Arts Center at CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330
Cost: $38-80
Parking: $7 online or on-site
Info: ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org

Dia de los Muertos at La Habra Children’s Museum

Kids can enjoy decorating sugar skulls and making calavera masks, along with traditional face painting.

Event Details

When: Sunday, Nov 6, 2016, 1 PM and 3:15 PM (limited admission for each)
Where: La Habra Children’s Museum, 301 S. Euclid St, La Habra, CA 90631
Cost: Free, a limited number of hand stamps are given for museum admission
Parking: Free
Info: www.lhcm.org/933/Target-Free-Days

Dia de Los Muertos in Orange County

Dia de Los Muertos at Segerstrom Center

Segerstrom Center for the Arts will celebrate Día de los Muertos with performances by various artists.

Event Details

When: November 2, 2016, 7:30 PM, pre-show activities and food trucks at 6 PM
Where: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Cost: $39-89
Info: www.scfta.org/dia

Dia de los Muertos at Pretend City

Bring a photo of your loved one to add to the altar and join in educational activities for Day of the Dead.

Event Details

When: Tuesday, Nov 1, 2016, 11 AM – 3 PM
Where: Pretend City, 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Cost: $12.50 anyone over 12 months, Military & Family $9.50
Info: www.pretendcity.org

Noche de Altares in Santa Ana

The community is welcomed to build altars to honor their deceased loved ones, accompanied by cultural performances and art workshops.

Event Details

When: Saturday, Nov 5, 2016, 12 PM – 10 PM
Where: 4th and Birch, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Cost: Free
Info: www.bowers.org

Dia de los Muertos at the Bowers Museum

This event features calavera face-painting, crafts, music, dancing, and traditional foods in the Bowers Museum courtyard.

Event Details

When: Sunday, Nov 6, 2016, 11 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Bowers Museum Courtyard and Kidseum, 2002 N. Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706
Cost: Free
Parking: $6, additional parking across the street
Info: www.bowers.org