Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles

Taking place at Gloria Molina Grand Park from October 25 to November 2, the annual Downtown Día de los Muertos features altars created by local artists and organizations; art, music, community gatherings and family-friendly activities.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Olvera Street Muertos Art Walk will feature more than 30 local artists selling original artwork, clothing, jewelry, face painting and more. Taking place on Saturday, October 4 from 10am to 7pm, the Muertos Art Walk will bring together artists from the greater Los Angeles community and create awareness for the work being done by the Olvera Street Merchants Association Foundation (OSMAF) to keep cultural traditions alive in Los Angeles.

Historic Olvera Street celebrates the lives of those that have passed with the annual Día de los Muertos Festival. Nightly theatrical performances of La Danza de la Muerte by Teatro del Barrio are scheduled for 6pm on the plaza stage. At 7pm, the Novenario Procession begins in the plaza at the top of Olvera Street and ends with a nightly ceremony honoring loved ones. Community altars will be on view in the plaza from October 25 through November 2. Entertainment and face painting will take place at 11am on Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26; and November 1 and 2.

Decorate your own sugar skull at the landmark Central Library! This family-friendly activity is intended for ages 4 and up and will take place in the Rotunda from 2pm to 3pm. All materials provided.

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is hosting the annual Día de los Muertos Family Day starting at noon on Sunday, October 26. Enjoy live performances including traditional Oaxacan dances, a Procession and Community Altar, and playful Catrina-comedy sketches. The program will be guided by Blanca A. Soto—actress, voice and acting coach, and the voice of the Emcee in Disney-Pixar’s Coco. Families can participate in free hands-on art, garden and culinary workshops; take tours with Les Navegantes of LA Plaza's core exhibition LA Starts Here, or participate in LA Plaza’s Community Ofrenda by adding photos of loved ones. Food and drinks will be available for sale. Free with RSVP.

On Sunday, October 26, Angelenos will unite to recognize and celebrate LA’s Latin and Mexican heritage as Discover San Pedro, a nonprofit organization, presents the 14th Annual San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival. This FREE, family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, beer garden, delicious food, crafts for kids, an altar contest exhibition and more. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in Día de los Muertos-themed costumes and participate in the festivities. Free trolley rides hosted by Downtown San Pedro.

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, October 29, 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 with RSVP at Eventbrite.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Octavia Lab, a DIY maker space located inside the historic Central Library in Downtown LA. Discover the ancient Mexican folk art of repujado (tin embossing) with artist and educator Miriam Quezada. Taking place from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday, November 1, this special workshop will cover techniques for engraving or "pushing out" drawings on metal to create beautiful artwork.

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 slight uphill 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.

This November, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is hosting Drop-in Workshops for Families: Día de los Muertos & Ofrendas, in the Shirley Temple Education Studio on the museum’s Lower Level. Included with museum admission, the hour-long workshops are taking place on November 1, 8 and 15. On Saturday, November 1, the museum welcomes Lil’ Libros author and illustrator Ellia Ana Hill for a reading and book signing of Medias naranjas: El Catrín & La Catrina. Afterward, Hill will lead an art workshop on the paper-cutting style featured in the book.

The Glendale and Covina Hills locations of Forest Lawn are hosting Día de los Muertos events from noon to 3pm on Sunday, November 2. The festivities include community ofrendas, larger-than-life Catrina and alebrije (spirit animal) artworks, arts & crafts, food trucks, Folklórico and Mariachi, and performances by the Bob Baker Marionettes.

Taking place at Third Street Promenade on Saturday, October 18 from 2pm to 7pm, the 6th annual Día de los Muertos Celebration will feature live entertainment, large-scale art, a Latinx pop-up market, community altars, kids art & crafts, face painting and games for all ages. LA-based artist Ricardo Soltoreo will display his larger-than-life paper mache sculptures throughout the Promenade. Expect to see catrinas up to 14 feet tall, alebrijes, and special pieces made exclusively for the event. Come dressed up as a catrina or catrin for a chance to win the "Best Dressed" prize!