Looking for Día de los Muertos events in Los Angeles? Celebrate the Day of the Dead with family-friendly festivals, colorful ofrendas, live music, folklórico performances, art activities and cultural celebrations across L.A. and Southern California from Oct. 24 through Nov. 5.
Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos
Oct.24 – Nov. 2 | Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Gloria Molina Grand Park will showcase a public art installation in DTLA honoring Angelenos’ longtime customs and traditions of the Day of the Dead celebration. For 10 days, the “park for everyone” transforms into a healing space where visitors can explore and view a beautiful collection of altars created by seasoned and emerging artists.
Opening Day Community Celebration, as part of the Grand Ave Arts: All Access event all along Grand Avenue in DTLA, with dance and music performances and a spiritual cleanse (Block 1, from Grand Ave. to Olive Court) is on Saturday, Oct. 24, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Noche de los Muertos Closing Night Ceremony (the park’s Performance Lawn in Block 2, between Grand Ave. and Hill St.) is on Sunday, Nov. 1, 3 – 7 p.m.
27th annual Día de los Muertos
Oct. 24 |Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
The 27th annual Día de los Muertos event returns to Hollywood Forever Cemetery from noon to midnight on Oct. 24. Expect live music, dancing and elaborate altars.
Día de los Muertos Family Day
Oct. 25 | LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, 501 N. Main St., Los Angeles
Starting at noon, catch performances that pay homage to the dead through music and dance, engage in interactive art, garden and culinary workshops and enjoy food, beverages and sonic soundscapes courtesy DJ Curator.
Día de Los Muertos Festival San Pedro
Oct. 25 |Historic Downtown San Pedro, 396 W. 6th St., San Pedro
For the 15th year, Downtown San Pedro will host a family-friendly Día de Los Muertos Festival.
This year’s celebration honors the monarch butterfly as a traditional Día symbol. The festival’s “Wings of Remembrance” artist installation will feature giant monarch butterflies at locations throughout the event footprint. Painted in vibrant colors and patterns by local artists and youth organizations, each giant monarch reminds us of the enduring connections between past and present generations and of our departed loved ones’ presence in our daily lives, embodied in one of nature’s most beautiful creatures.
LA Arboretum Día de los Muertos
Oct. 25 | Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia
Join LA Arboretum for their first ever celebration of Día de los Muertos with a family-friendly evening of art, music, nature and reflection. Browse a magical marketplace showcasing local, Latin-owned makers, artists, food and drinks. Engage in various creative activities honoring the holiday’s beauty and meaning. Kids can partake in crafts, face painting and more.
Día de los Muertos Weekend at Treehouse
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1 |Treehouse on PCH, 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
Día de los Muertos comes alive at Treehouse from Oc. 30 – Nov. 1. Step onto the rooftop adorned with vibrant décor as a DJ sets the mood for a spirited weekend of celebration. Sip on festive cocktails and show off your best Catrina skeleton attire or face paint to honor the tradition and the loved ones whose memories live on.
Los Muertos 5K
Oct. 31 | El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
Join the annual Los Muertos 5K on Oct. 31 for a festive Día de los Muertos celebration featuring pre-race face painting, live music along the course and a lively post-race celebration. Whether you’re racing or walking, it’s a fun way to honor the holiday and enjoy the community spirit.
The race starts on Main Street in El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument, runs through Chinatown towards Los Angeles State Historic Park then turns around at 19th Ave. back to Olvera Street.
Main Street Canoga Park Día de los Muertos Family Festival
Nov. 1 | Historic Main Street Canoga Park, 21801 Sherman Way, Canoga Park
The 26th annual Main Street Canoga Park Día de los Muertos Family Festival on Nov. 1 features a day of live music, food trucks, art activities and cultural procession. Bonus: a La Catrina Contest and car show.
Dia de Los Muertos
Nov. 1 | Pretend City Children’s Museum, 29 Hubble, Irvine
Sing along to Flower Songs Music, decorate a sugar skull, and enjoy a live Folklorico performance. It’s a day to remember loved ones and celebrate life through color, music and tradition.
Dia de los Muertos at Forest Lawn
Nov. 1 | Forest Lawn-Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale
Forest Lawn will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with free, family-friendly in-person events at four of its locations: Covina Hills, Cypress, Glendale, and Cathedral City, bringing the vibrant traditions of the Mexican holiday to Southern California. For each of the four events, marigolds, handcrafted Catrina and alebrijes (spirit guide) artworks and brightly colored community ofrendas (altars) will transform the Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks into radiant and majestic spaces for remembrance. Folklorico dance and mariachi music performances, arts & crafts, face painting, food trucks and carts, and refreshments will set a lively backdrop for the community to savor the holiday, light candles, place photographs and mementos on altars, and retell stories that keep the memories of generations of loved ones alive. Bob Baker Marionette performances will take place at the Covina Hills, Cypress and Glendale locations.
Family Fest Día de los Muertos
Nov. 2 | The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles
The Wallis hosts their second Dia de Los Muertos Family Fest, a day of remembrance and gratitude featuring performances, arts and crafts, music, dance and food inspired by this rich cultural tradition. Bring a blanket for a picnic and enjoy local food trucks including Salvi Nation, Daddy’s Best Froyo and Luna’s Hot Chicken.
Día de Los Muertos at NHM
Nov. 5 | Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
Enjoy live music, participate in hands-on art activities, get an up-close look at NHM’s interpretive ofrenda (altar) for commemorating the dead in the Becoming Los Angeles exhibit, and more. Come together as a community and take part in this celebration of life!
For more things to do with kids in L.A., check out our online calendar. Events are added daily.
