Día de los Muertos, also known as Day of the Dead, is celebrated Nov. 1 – 2. But SoCal is full of festivities throughout October leading up to the traditional holiday. Celebrate online or in-person at one of the many Día de los Muertos celebrations in and around L.A.
Grand Park kicks off their 9th annual Downtown Día de los Muertos on Oct. 22 with a free, 12-day public art installation presented in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art. Park-goers can contribute to the community altar or view the altars made by local artists and learn about the traditions of Día de los Muertos.
San Pedro Waterfront Arts District presents a free screening of the movie “Coco” at Warner Grand Theatre on Oct. 24 in addition to food trucks, craft booths and more in honor of Día de Todos Santos.
Join Mercadito Monarca and Playhouse Village for a free Día de los Muertos Celebration on Oct. 24, featuring live music, an altars exhibit, Aztec dance, an artisan market, games and arts and crafts.
Olvera Street hosts their 9-day Día de los Muertos Festival starting Oct. 25, with nightly theatrical performances, community altars, face painting and a 5K run/walk on Oct. 30, which features a Runners Altar.
Join OC Parks to make your own sugar skulls to take home at their Crafts and Craniums: Celebrating Día De Los Muertos event Oct. 26. Come early to enjoy Irvine Regional Park.
The Los Angeles Zoo is hosting their first-ever Beloved Pets Ofrenda through Nov. 2. The Zoo partnered with Plaza de la Raza to create an altar where visitors are invited to bring pictures or drawings of their beloved pets that have passed away.
To celebrate virtually, join Center for the Arts Eagle Rock’s Papel Picado online workshop on Oct. 29, just in time for creating altars and celebrating Day of the Dead. The City of Pasadena will host their own virtual arts and crafts workshop, Día de los Muertos Sugar Skull Craft, on Oct. 30. Join Forest Lawn’s 2021 Dia de los Muertos celebration, which will feature both live and recorded performances from 12-1:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 via Forest Lawn’s Facebook page.
Head over to San Pedro Fish Market’s Long Beach location for their first ever Día de los Muertos celebration. Wear your costume, enjoy food and drink specials while overlooking the marina.
Third Street Promenade will host a free Día de los Muertos Community Celebration Oct. 30, featuring L.A.-based artist Ricardo Soltero’s La Catrina sculptures, DJ dance party, performances by Santa Monica Ballet Folklórico, Santa Monica Youth Orchestra Mariachi Perla del Oeste and more.
Hollywood Forever’s 22nd Annual Día de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 30 features two events. The daytime event, Día de los Muertos, will have a children’s plaza, face painting, cultural performances, altars and arts and crafts vendors. The evening event, Noche de los Muerotos, will also have traditional dance performances, arts and crafts and culinary vendors and live musical performances.
