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34 Things To Do to Celebrate Día de Los Muertos in Los Angeles

Celebrate Día de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of the Forest Lawn sponsored event in Glendale.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of the Forest Lawn sponsored event in Glendale.
10/13/24 - By Toby B

Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles has vibrant celebrations across the city in many neighborhoods and cultural institutions that honor the Mexican tradition of remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed away. 

Spirited Day of the Dead celebrations are steeped in traditional arts and culture throughout Southern California. Children may be familiar with these celebrations from movies such as Coco and The Book of Life. Expect Aztec dancers, mariachi musicians, Calavera face painting, and sugar skull decorating. Ofrendas, or altars, are also created to remember loved ones and are often the centerpieces of Día de los Muertos events. 

Take part in more fall traditions by finding the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles, going apple picking near LA, and discovering fall fun in our LA Fall Day Trips Guide. 

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Ofrendas can be found throughout LA. Ofrenda photo by Martin Pearce via Flickr 2.0 of Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street
Ofrendas can be found throughout LA. Ofrenda photo by Martin Pearce via Flickr 2.0 of Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street

Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles

Día de Los Muertos (El Monte)

El Monte - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
El Monte's Día de los Muertos celebration is presented as a daytime festival this year. Held on Main Street, the free family event features altars & a procession, children's workshops, face painting, food and vendors. READ MORE

Gloria Molina Grand Park's Downtown Día De Los Muertos

DTLA - FREE
October 19 - November 2, 2024
Gloria Molina Grand Park pays tribute to the cultural tradition of Día de los Muertos with a 2-week public art installation.  Highlights of 2024's event include opening day festivities, a parade, and closing festivities with a film screening. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street

DTLA - FREE
October 25 - November 2, 2024
Olvera Street hosts its annual celebration of the festive Mexican holiday when families remember their ancestors and the continuity of life. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood
Saturday, October 26, 2024
The annual Día de los Muertos event at Los Angeles’s oldest memorial park is the nation's largest Day of the Dead event, celebrating the memories of loved ones with ceremonial tributes and extravagant altar creations amidst some of the city's most famous departed. In 2024, the celebration returns as a single daylong event is made memorable with music, dance, and exotic costumes and decor throughout the park. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos on 3rd Street Promenade

Santa Monica - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Downtown Santa Monica celebrates Día de los Muertos with music, performances, and more along Third Street Promenade.   Family friendly activities include kids arts and crafts, face painting, and games for all ages. READ MORE

San Pedro's Día de los Muertos Festival

San Pedro - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Historic Downtown San Pedro celebrates Día de los Muertos with art, culture, crafts for kids, delicious cuisine, and live entertainment. The festival also includes an altar exhibition featuring the work of artists and community members. The festive live entertainment lineup includes performances by MariachiDivas de Cindy Shea, two-time Grammy-winning multicultural, all-women ensemble READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Celebration (MainPlace)

Santa Ana - FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
MainPlace Mall celebrates Día de los Muertos with a fun and free event.   An immersive altar installation honors the Day of the Dead while teaching about Aztec culture through discussions and live performances showcasing language, dance, and unique ceremonial traditions.  Live performances include Aztec dance, Mariachi, musical storytelling and Cumbia. READ MORE

Disney Pixars's COCO: Live-to-Film Concert

Northridge
Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27, 2024
Disney Pixar’s beloved Coco comes to life on stage with the heartwarming smash hit film’s score, by Oscar and GRAMMY Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. Performed live by Orquesta Folclórico Nacional de México, Disney Pixar’s Coco follows 12-year-old Miguel on a journey through the Land of the Dead and features the Academy Award-winning song “Remember Me,” by songwriters Kristen Anderson Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen, Frozen 2). Disney fans of all ages are invited to enjoy an unforgettable night of Disney magic. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Festival at MOLAA

Long Beach - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
MOLAA's Día de Los Muertos Festival returns, once again offering a vibrant celebration of life and loved ones. This year's theme is Journey of Our Ancestors. Guests can enjoy a DJ and live performances. Activities include a face-painting station, a children’s sugar skull workshop, a printmaking station and a live tattoo artist. READ MORE

Downey Día de los Muertos Art Festival

Downey - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Downey's annual Día de los Muertos Art Festival is held again on a Sunday, as it returns for its 11th year. The festival includes activities for the whole family, including an arts & crafts station, Calaveras decorating, face painting, bilingual storytime, a puppet show, and chalk walk. Other highlights include a Dia de los Muertos Art Gallery, live performances including traditional Folklorico dances, and Classic Car Altars. READ MORE

Family Days: Día de los Muertos

DTLA - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
The dead come to life at LA Plaza! Guests can explore the historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead traditions at this annual event READ MORE

HMOC Día de los Muertos 2024

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Heritage Museum of Orange County celebrates Día de Los Muertos with a free event and community altar (ofrenda).  Guests can enjoy live entertainment, food, vendors, community altar, arts and crafts and more. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Festival at the Muckenthaler

Fullerton - FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Muckenthaler Cultural Center celebrates Día de los Muertos with festive activities for the whole family, live music, local artisans, and arts and crafts for kids.  Admission is free. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos (Simi Valley)

Simi Valley
Sunday, October 27, 2024
The Simi Valley Historical Society and Museum celebrates its Annual Día de los Muertos Festival in Strathearn Historical Park. Highlights include entertainment from a Mariachi band, Aztec and Folklorico dancers, face painting, and Día de los Muertos craft vendors. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Celebration (Multiple Forest Lawn Locations)

Glendale, Covina Hills, Cypress & Cathedral City - FREE
Sunday, October 27 & Saturday, November 2, 2024
Forest Lawn hosts in-person observances of Día de los Muertos at its Glendale, Covina HIlls, Cypress and Cathedral City locations. The community celebrations honor the memories of the dead while illuminating the rich history of the Mexican holiday with vibrant altars, 6-foot-tall Catrina and alebrijes (spirit guides) art works, folkloric dance and Mariachi performances, arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments. READ MORE

Plaza de la Raza's Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival

East LA - FREE
Friday, November 1, 2024
Plaza de la Raza hosts an all-ages, family-friendly, free Día de los Muertos celebration. The community is invited to experience a memorable evening filled with art, music, dance, and living tradition. Highlights include exhibitions and ofrendas by local artists, mainstage performances, hands-on workshops, and local vendors. Everyone is invited to contribute photos or items of loved ones to the community altar.   READ MORE

6th Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival on Catalina

Avalon - FREE
Friday, November 1, 2024
Catalina Museum's 6th Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival pays tribute to the vibrant Mexican tradition, celebrating life while paying homage to dearly departed loved ones.  Activities include kids' art projects, tequila tastings, and local food vendors. The evening is filled with cultural performances, including Haynes Marionettes Puppet Show, Mariachi Las Catrinas, and Sin Frontera. READ MORE

Día de Los Muertos with Dudamel

DTLA
Friday - Sunday, November 1 - 3, 2024
LA Phil celebrates Day of the Dead with vibrant Afro-Mexican and Brazilian music. Gustavo Dudamel leads a festive exploration of Latin American music for Día de los Muertos with Villa-Lobos’ progressive tour de force and Gabriela Ortiz’s 2019 Yanga. Her work for orchestra, chorus, and percussion ensemble is characterized by its use of African instruments and colorful, multilayered rhythms. READ MORE

Self Help Graphics Día de los Muertos Celebration at Civic Center Park

East LA - FREE
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Self Help Graphics' 50th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration takes place at Civic Center Park in East LA. The public is encouraged to dress up in their favorite Día de los Muertos fashion and take part in the festive Día de los Muertos Celebration Procession. Participants meet up at 2pm in Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights, then take the Metro* to Civic Center Park for the celebration. READ MORE

Anaheim Cemetery Día de los Muertos Celebration

Anaheim - FREE
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Día de los Muertos festivities are back at Anaheim Cemetery. The free event features ballet folklorico dancing and mariachi performances. READ MORE

Día De Los Muertos at LA National Cemetery

Westwood Village - FREE
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Los Angeles National Cemetery's Día De Los Muertos celebration is a day filled with vibrant altars, traditional music, delicious snacks, and colorful decorations. Guests can honor our fallen Service Members and their loved ones, learn about military burial benefits, and connect with the community. READ MORE

Annual Noche de Altares

Santa Ana - FREE
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Noche de Altares is a free, family-friendly, community event featuring a variety of musicians and dancers. All are invited to view and/or build traditional altars honoring loved ones (fees apply). Children can participate in free art workshops and get their faces painted. READ MORE

Día de Muertos with Lil’ Libros Huesos Book Reading, Signing, and Family Workshop

Mid-Wilshire
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Academy Museum invites families to celebrate Día de Muertos with a book reading and workshop. To start the day, Lil’ Libros illustrator Luis San Vicente reads and signs his newest book, Huesos. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Celebration in Long Beach

Long Beach
Saturday & Sunday, November 2 & 3, 2024
Long Beach City hosts a free day of family fun in celebration of Día de los Muertos. The activities start with a festive street parade, followed by an Arte y Ofrendas Festival. READ MORE

Canoga Park Dia de los Muertos Festival

Canoga Park - FREE
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Canoga Park's annual Día de los Muertos Festival fills Sherman Way between Canoga Avenue and Topanga Canyon Blvd. with all manner of Day of the Dead entertainment. Booths line the street; highlights include traditional holiday altars and ofrendas. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Celebration at the Fowler

Westwood - FREE
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Artist Maria Elena Cruz visits the Fowler Museum for some  Día de los Muertos inspired crafts.  Guests can learn to create mini ofrendas (shrines/offerings) and ornamental sugar skull piñatas in honor of those who have passed away. The weekend also marks the closing of Descanse en Paz: Memorial Paintings from 19th-Century Mexico. Visitors can tour the exhibition, listen to music, and enjoy pastries from La Monarca Bakery & Cafe. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos - Mexican Day of the Dead Festival

Santa Ana - FREE
Sunday, November 3, 2024
The Bowers invites families to celebrate the Day of the Dead with a free festival. Día de los Muertos is based on the Mexican belief that our departed loved ones come back to earth to be with us every year in a joyful celebration that lasts for three days. READ MORE
Día de los Muertos sugar skull decorating is a popular tradition. Photo courtesy of the LA County Library
Día de los Muertos sugar skull decorating is a popular tradition. Photo courtesy of the LA County Library

Día de los Muertos Events at Libraries

A Magical Día de los Muertos Celebration With Arty Loon

Woodland Hills - FREE
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
The Arty Loon Show presents: ¡Loco en su Coco - Una Celebración del Día de los Muertos! The Woodland Hills Branch Library invites kids and teens to celebrate with magician Arty as he takes them through the rich folklore of Día de los Muertos. Using music, puppetry, storytelling and magic, Arty presents an engaging and immersive experience through the land of the dead. READ MORE

Songs and Stories of Día de los Muertos with Dr. Gloria Arjona

La Mirada - FREE
Saturday, October 19, 2024
La Mirada Library celebrates the vibrant cultural tapestry and meaning of Día de los Muertos with this interdisciplinary program that combines music, visuals, and storytelling - including traditional songs in Spanish and indigenous languages. READ MORE

Día de Los Muertos/Day of the Dead Program at Alondra Library

Norwalk - FREE
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Kids can learn about the significance of Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead and how cultures celebrate their loved ones. Participants make their own Catrina/Catrín mask to take home. In addition, the librarian reads aloud from La Divina Catrina/ Oh, Divine Catrina by Aracely De Alvarado. READ MORE

DIY Tissue Paper Skulls

Carson - FREE
Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Día de los Muertos on Olvera Street de los Muertos or Day of the Dead is traditionally celebrated by the people of Mexico on November 1 and 2. Kids can visit the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library to learn more about this tradition then decorate their own skull using tissue paper. READ MORE

Sugar Skull Face Painting 101 at Bell Library

Bell - FREE
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Tweens and teens can visit the Bell Library for a fun and interactive workshop. Participants learn how to safely create a Calavera face painting to celebrate Día de los Muertos and then learn more about the holiday from the library's book display. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos: Sugar Skull Decorating

Manhattan Beach - FREE
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Día de los Muertos is traditionally observed in Mexico. People honor loved ones that have passed away in various ways including decorating sugar skulls. At this free workshop,  kids can decorate a sugar skull and find out more about this celebration. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Family Celebration at the Central Library

DTLA - FREE
Saturday, November 2, 2024
The Central Library celebrates Day of the Dead with stories, music and art, in Spanish and English, at this fun event for the entire family. This event is free and open to all. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

El Monte Main Street
Downtown San Pedro at the LA Waterfront
Heritage Museum of Orange County
Muckenthaler Estate & Cultural Center
Forest Lawn, multiple locations, including Glendale
Catalina Museum for Art & History
Woodland Hills Branch Library
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library