Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles

Honoring the people, places and ideas that merit adoration and commemoration, the 12th annual Downtown Día de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park welcomes visitors to pay reverence at 19 ofrendas created by professional artists and local community organizations. Park goers can also contribute to the annual Community Altar - the 20th altar - which will honor the victims of gun violence in Monterey Park and those who perished in Maui’s wildfires. The altars will be located at the Gloria Molina Grand Park Fountain Overlook and Performance Lawn.

Los Muertos 5K celebrates Día de los Muertos with a run through historic Olvera Street, featuring music along the course, beautiful finisher medals and a post-race celebration. Can you say fast, fun and scenic (or rápido, divertido y pintoresco)?

Starting on Main Street in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, the race course runs through lower Chinatown and then takes a left turn onto Alameda Street towards Los Angeles State Historic Park. The 5k run/walk turns around at 19th Avenue after you cross over the Los Angeles River. On the return, you'll enjoy amazing views of the Downtown LA skyline. Expect a little uphill finish as you return to Olvera Street for an amazing finish line festival!

Participants are invited to honor loved ones by displaying photos of those that have passed at the Runners Altar located in the oval near Olvera Street.

On Saturday, November 4, Self Help Graphics & Art presents the 50th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration! With the SHG building currently closed for renovations, the traditional procession that kicks off the festivities will be a little different this year. The public is invited to dress up in their favorite Día de los Muertos fashion and meet at Mariachi Plaza for a traditional Danza blessing at 2pm. Starting at 2:30pm, the procession will Go Metro on the E Line to the East LA Civic Center Station.

Presented in partnership with the Office of Supervisor Hilda Solis and the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation, the SHG Día de los Muertos celebration will take place at East LA Civic Center Park from 3pm to 8pm. The free, all-ages festival will include altars, a Muerto Marketplace, live performances and food vendors.

DTLA Art Night is a monthly cultural gathering and artwalk that takes place on the first Thursday, featuring more than 25 Galleries debuting new exhibitions from their fine arts collections. The artwork spans a wide range of mediums from artists across LA, the U.S. and the world.

On Thursday, November 2, DTLA Art Night celebrates Día de los Muertos with a magical evening of art, culture and remembrance as the Historic Core comes alive with color and creativity. At 7pm, witness the captivating Danza Azteca Xipe Totec performance in front of the beautifully adorned altar and throughout the Historic Core. Bring your offerings to celebrate the lives of the cherished departed, and join in the heartwarming tradition of honoring their memories. Follow @dtlaartnight for updated info.

The acclaimed LGBTQ lounge, Bar Mattachine is popping up at Mezcalero in Downtown LA for a Día de los Muertos party on Wednesday, November 1. Hosted by Felony Dodger and Kitty L'Amour, with music by DJ Sindri and an all-agave cocktail menu that includes faves from the late, great Bar Mattachine. No cover, 21 and over.

Chef Antonia Lofaso's DAMA is serving a Oaxacan-inspired Día de los Muertos dinner from 6:30-9:30pm on Wednesday, November 1. The five-course experience includes selections from Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia, one of the oldest and finest tequila distilleries in the world.

The dinner begins with a Molote Relleno welcome bite paired with a Paloma (Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado Tequila, grapefruit, tonic, lime). The first course features Tamales, Tostada and Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino Tequila. Next, Memela de Pollo, Pork Loin con Segueza and Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Reposado Tequila. For the third course, Parilla de Oaxaca (carne asada, chorizo, cecina) and Nopales Salad are paired with Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Extra Añejo Tequila. Dessert offers Nicuatole and Tequila Carajillo - Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Platino Tequila infused with pineapple & cinnamon, Licor 43 and espresso.

Tickets are $155 per person and on sale at Resy. 21 and over.

Hollywood Forever is renowned as the final resting place of hundreds of legendary Hollywood stars and iconic musicians. Each year, the landmark cemetery hosts the largest Día de los Muertos celebration outside of Mexico, featuring more than 100 altars, live music, DJs and Aztec dancers.

Now in its 24th year, the festival is actually two separately ticketed events - the daytime Día de los Muertos (9am - 3pm) and the evening Noche de los Muertos from 5pm to midnight. This year's theme is "Máscaras de México – Vida y Muerte en La Máscara" (Masks of Mexico - Life and Death in the Mask).

Along with the altars and cultural performers, the festivities include headliners Bomba Estéreo; a ceremonial procession at 6pm; Cathedral Art Exhibition featuring Rafael Coronel and 200+ masks; arts & crafts vendors, L.A. Taco curated taqueros, Mezcal Garden, costume contest and more.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketweb with options for General Admission and VIP. For more info, download a PDF of the full schedule and festival map.

On Thursday, November 2, Cayetano Talavera leads a natural dye workshop at Craft Contemporary in honor of Día de los Muertos. Using marigolds, the emblematic flowers used in Mexican Day of the Dead altars, participants will extract natural golden colors and experiment with dyeing cotton fabrics. $12 ticket includes materials and drinks; free admission for museum members.

Founded in 1961 and hosted by the UCLA Department of Ethnomusicology, Mariachi de Uclatlán is the first mariachi ensemble to be established at an academic university and is dedicated to the performance and preservation of traditional Mexican music, culture, and heritage at the Herb Alpert School of Music.

On Wednesday, November 1, Mariachi de Uclatlán will perform their annual concert under the stars at the Fowler Museum Amphitheater. One of UCLA's great music traditions, the concert celebrates Día de los Muertos through the works of influential composers of Mexican music. Free admission, RSVP at Eventbrite.

The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) presents the annual Día de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, October 29. This year’s theme is Hecho con Amor/Made with Love in honor of the museum's partnership with Mexico and the upcoming exhibition, Festin de Sabores – an intimate look at the richness and complexity of Mexican cuisine.

This year's festival will be bigger and better than ever with more than 36 merchants, nine food stations, beer & wine, and sweets for the kids and the young at heart. There's also live performances, tunes by DJ Caveman, a face-painting station, children’s sugar skull workshop, printmaking station and a live tattoo artist.

Come dressed in your best Day of the Dead regalia and enter to win prizes in the on-site Catrina/Catrine costume contest. Judging will be at 2pm with a grand prize of $500 and $250 for second place; plus two tickets to El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego courtesy of the LA Opera!