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Things To Do in LA this Weekend with Kids: Dia de los Muertos, Pumpkin Launch, Grand Avenue Arts

Try conducting an orchestra at Grand Ave Arts: All Access. Photo courtesy of The Colburn School
Try conducting an orchestra at Grand Ave Arts: All Access. Photo courtesy of The Colburn School
10/31/19 - By Toby B

As I write this, Halloween is before us. We're still putting the finishing touches on our costumes and greedily anticipating the bounty of treats that awaits us. It's the one night of the year when we let our kids take candy from strangers (and might even grab a few pieces for ourselves).

But what about the weekend ahead? Some weekends would have a hard time living up to such a world-class Thursday, but not November 2-3, 2019, nosirree. Because this weekend we celebrate another holiday of otherworldly import: Día de los Muertos. It's marigolds from here to Sunday, and Los Angeles offers endless opportunities to honor dearly departed loved ones. We're particularly fond of the celebration at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which is why we're a proud media partner.

And as if two holidays in close succession weren't enough, this weekend offers an additional gift that we all can appreciate: an extra hour of sleep. It’s the end of Daylight Savings Time for 2019, so in the wee hours of November 3, the clock “falls back” an hour. Make sure to reset your clocks (and it’s a good time to check the batteries in your smoke alarm, as well).

Keep reading for events so good you're gonna need an extra hour of sleep and several pieces of your kids' candy...

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Grand Park Dia De Los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Grand Park
Grand Park Dia De Los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Grand Park

ALL WEEKEND

Downtown Dia De Los Muertos

Downtown
Gloria Molina Grand Park pays tribute to the cultural tradition of Día de los Muertos with a 12-day public art installation.  READ MORE

Fiesta de los Muertos

Downtown
Olvera Street hosts its annual celebration of the festive Mexican holiday when families remember their ancestors and the continuity of life. READ MORE

Day Out with Thomas Dream Big Tour (So. Cal. Railway Museum)

Perris
Thomas fans can enjoy a ride on a full-size Thomas the Tank Engine, with Sir Topham Hatt on hand to meet passengers.  READ MORE

LA Baby Show

Downtown
The LA Baby Show welcomes expectant and new parents (and their bumps, babies, and toddlers). Attendees can discover top brands and services, listen to expert speakers and seminars, participate in giveaways (for strollers, gear, and a Dream Nursery), and enjoy family fun and bonding. READ MORE

Circus Vargas: The Greatest of Ease (Lakewood)

Lakewood
The Circus is in town! Circus Vargas is raising its tent at Lakewood Center Mall.  Circus Vargas’ 50th anniversary extravaganza is an homage to the golden era of circus in America. READ MORE

LA Fall Fair

South El Monte
The largest fall festival in Los Angeles County boasts 12 acres of amusement rides, circus attractions, live music (on Saturday and Sunday), games, arts & crafts, and an international food court. READ MORE
Pumpkin Launch. Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube
Pumpkin Launch. Photo courtesy of Discovery Cube

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Grand Ave Arts: All Access

Downtown
Grand Avenue Arts: All Access showcases major cultural institutions in DTLA. The free one-day event features performances, exhibitions, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive family-friendly activities. In addition, new for 2022, the Downtown Center Business Improvement District introduces Grand Ave Augmented, a series of AR experiences along Grand Avenue that complement the live programming at participating organizations. READ MORE

Día y Noche de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood
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. Separate day and evening events are made memorable with music, dance, and exotic costumes and decor throughout the park. READ MORE

Pumpkin Launch

Fullerton
Halloween may be over, but the Discovery Science Center has one last hurrah for pumpkins with the annual pumpkin launch at Cal State Fullerton. READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Santa Monica
The City of Santa Monica presents its 8th annual Día de los Muertos event celebrating the cycle of life and the remembrance of ancestors at Woodlawn Cemetery The event includes traditions that are part of this ceremony both in Mexico and in the United States. READ MORE

Home Depot Kids Workshops

Multiple Locations
Home Depot's free kids workshops truly deliver ...in this case, a Home Depot delivery truck! READ MORE

Planes of Fame Hangar Talk and Flying Demo

Chino
The featured plane in January is the Curtiss P-40N Warhawk. READ MORE

Annual Noche de Altares

Santa Ana
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. Children can participate in free art workshops and get their faces painted. READ MORE

Festival de Día de los Muertos

University Park
The theater's annual Día de los Muertos block party celebration is a popular community event that features decorated altars, carnival rides, and live music.  READ MORE

Celiac Disease Foundation Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk

Sherman Oaks
The Celiac Disease Foundation hosts its 2nd Annual LA Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk. All participants receive a personalized fundraising page to share with friends and family, event shirt, and a post-race bag full of gluten-free goodies, coupons, and swag. READ MORE

NOAA and Our Planet Day

Long Beach
Families can find out what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) does for you, our nation, and our world at this annual event at the Aquarium of the Pacific. READ MORE

Anaheim Cemetery Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Anaheim
After a 3 year absence. The Dia de los Muertos festivities are back at Anaheim Cemetery. The free event begins with a Dia de los Muertos Blessing. Performances by Ballet Folklorico Donaji and the talented students from R.H.Y.T.H.M.O. and Mariachi Academy follow. READ MORE

Long Beach Airport Festival of Flight 2023

Long Beach
The popular Festival of Flight returns to Long Beach Airport. The free event features aircrafts on static display, live music, food and beer trucks, and activities for kids. READ MORE

Dia De Los Muertos at The Shops at Montebello

Montebello
The Shops at Montebello celebrates Dia De Los Muertos in Center Court with festive face painting, costume contest ($500 worth in prizes), Aztec dancers, pan (sweet bread) de muerto samples and more.  The first 100 shoppers in line receive a Dia de los Muertos candle. READ MORE

DATE CANCELED Public Star Party

Griffith Park
We spoke to soon!  Looks like the skies are disappearing after all: due to projected rain and clouds, the public star party for Saturday, April 13, is canceled.  After the sun's disappearing act this week,  it's probably a good idea to take a look at the sky and make sure the stars are still there.... ​The Observatory's free public star party offers a chance for the whole family to look at the sun, moon, planets, and other objects with the assistance of the Los Angeles Astronomical Society, the Los Angeles Sidewalk Astronomers, and the Planetary Society. READ MORE

One Small Step

Torrance
Check your oxygen, adjust your space, suit and buckle up for the biggest mission of your life…One Small Step recounts history’s greatest adventure, the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to send the first man to the moon. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Snowfest
Photo courtesy of Snowfest

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

Exploring Your Universe 2023

Westwood
Exploring Your Universe returns to the UCLA campus, taking over the science section with hands-on demonstrations and experiments, talks, a planetarium show, and access to rare fossils.  READ MORE

End of Daylight Savings Time

Somewhere in time
Hey, you! Time to reset your clock! Now 2am is 1am,  3am is now 2am.  We're falling backward. Got it? (And by it, I mean an extra hour of sleep.) READ MORE

Canoga Park Dia de los Muertos Festival

Canoga Park
Canoga Park's annual Día de los Muertos Festival fills Sherman Way between Canoga and Topanga Avenues with all manner of Day of the Dead entertainment. Booths line the street; highlights include traditional holiday altars and food from around the world. READ MORE

SnowFest 2023

Simi Valley
The snow comes early this season in Simi Valley. Snowfest features tons of snow, with sledding, a snow slide and snow lots. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos - Mexican Day of the Dead Festival

Santa Ana
The Bowers invites families to celebrate the Day of the Dead with a free festival. Dia 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

Andell Family Sundays: Animals of the Supernatural

Mid-Wilshire
 LACMA visitors can learn about mythical animals such as dragons, enchanted house cats, and tengu (hint—they are part crow and excellent at martial arts!). The exhibition Every Living Thing: Animals in Japanese Art shows the myriad ways animals are depicted in Japanese art. READ MORE

Fowler Families: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos

Westwood
The Fowler celebrates the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring departed loved ones through music, dance, regalia, and storytelling by the Los Angeles-based group Xipe Totec Danzantes Aztecas. Originally from Mexico City, this ensemble has developed with the blessings and recognition of traditional elders in Mexico. READ MORE

Happy Trails for Kids 9th Annual Hike-A-Thon & Family Fun Day

Pacific Palisades
The 9th Annual Hike-A-Thon & Family Fun Day in Temescal Park offers a day of music, games, arts-n-crafts, an art bus, a bounce house, face painting, In’n’Out and hiking. READ MORE

Día de los Muertos Festival at MOLAA

Long Beach
MOLAA's Dia de Los Muertos Festival returns, once again offering a vibrant celebration of life and loved ones.   This year's theme is Hecho con Amor / Made with Love in honor of Mexico and MOLAA's upcoming exhibit, Festin de Sabores , which highlights the richness and complexity of American cuisine. Kids activities include facepainting, a sugar skull workshop, and a printmaking station.  READ MORE

Performance on the Frog

Pasadena
Let the rhythm move you!  Rhythm Child helps kids find their inner percussionist. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Whittier Narrows Rec Park / LA Prada Plaza
Numerous Venues along Grand Avenue, including: The Broad Museum
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
Planes of Fame Air Museum
El Centro Cultural de Mexico
Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Recreation Center