Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles

Taking place at Gloria Molina Grand Park from October 19 to November 2, the annual Downtown Día De Los Muertos features 20 altars created by local artists and community organizations; family-friendly activities, a free film screening, and the inaugural Downtown Día de los Muertos parade on Sunday, October 20.

On Thursday, October 24, LA Cocina de Gloria Molina presents an unforgettable evening that honors the cyclical nature of life and death through the profound traditions of Día de los Muertos. This exclusive four-course Pop-Up Chef’s Table offers a deeply immersive experience that delves into the spiritual and cultural significance of this cultural celebration. With each course, guests will witness the art and tradition behind every dish, thoughtfully paired with Mexican wines. The evening also includes a meaningful moment where the group will create an altar offering, setting the stage for a communal feast that invites reflection on cultural practices and their enduring relevance. This experience is curated by Dr. and Chef Claudia Serrato, Indigenous Culinary Anthropologist and Co-foundress of Across Our Kitchen Tables.

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 26 through November 2. Entertainment and face painting will take place at 11am on October 26-27; and on Saturday, November 1.

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.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, this year's festival is an all-day event on Saturday, October 26, with three entry windows: 10am - 2pm, 2pm - 6pm and 6pm - 11pm. This year's theme is “Tonas y Nahuales” (Spirit Guides & Guardians).

Along with the altars and cultural performers, the festivities include headliners Pedro Fernández and Los Lobos; a ceremonial procession at 2pm; Cathedral Art Exhibition featuring Antonio Fuentes; arts & crafts vendors, children's plaza, food vendors, costume contest and more.

Tickets are on sale at Ticketweb with options for General Admission and VIP.

Taking place at Plaza de la Raza on Saturday, October 26, the 14th annual El Velorio celebrates the cultural traditions of Día de los Muertos, featuring an art exhibition, live music, DJs, an altar installation and much more.

El Velorio features headlining performances by two LA-based bands: Buyepongo and Poco Pocho; La Junta DJ crew, Mariachi Los Reyes, motorcycle show, fashion show by Loretta Vampz, Aztec dancers by El General Lazaro Arvizu, and a Day of the Dead inspired puppet show by Bob Baker Marionette Theater. Tickets on sale at Eventbrite. 21 and over,

On Saturday, October 26, the Philosophical Research Society presents The Mexican Day of the Dead: Honoring the Ancestors & Giving Image to Death, a lecture by Sandra del Castillo, PhD. The lecture begins with Día de los Muertos as it is celebrated in Mexico today and emphasizes the tradition’s Mesoamerican roots. The presentation is based both on research and Castillo's own personal experience living in Michoacán, a region of the country where the tradition is renowned, and her ancestral heritage.

Each year, Castillo creates a special PRS Ofrenda, which will be on view in the auditorium lobby. Guests can add to the ofrenda by placing objects honoring those who are no longer with us - this can include beloved philosophers, poets, teachers, Jungian scholars, family members and dear pets. Feel free to bring a favorite quote, anecdote, or poem for / about the person to add to the altar.

General Admission tickets are on sale at Eventbrite.

On Saturday, October 26, Angelenos will unite to recognize and celebrate LA’s Latin and Mexican heritage as Discover San Pedro, a nonprofit organization, presents the 12th Annual San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival. Thousands of locals and visitors from Los Angeles and beyond will experience a vibrant, historic Downtown San Pedro filled with a festive live entertainment lineup including performances by the GRAMMY Award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, an all-women ensemble that continues to push and expand the scope of mariachi music.

This FREE, family-friendly event will feature live entertainment, a beer garden, delicious food, crafts for kids, an altar contest exhibition and more. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in Dia de los Muertos-themed costumes and participate in the festivities. Free trolley rides hosted by Downtown San Pedro as well.

Third Street Promenade is hosting the annual Día de los Muertos Celebration on Saturday, October 26 from 2pm to 8pm. The evening festivities will feature live entertainment, art, a Latinx pop-up market, community altars, kids arts & crafts, face painting and games for all ages.

Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero 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. The festivities will include Aztec dancers, family and pet-friendly activities, face-painting and KCRW DJ Jose Galvan to close out the night with a dance party!

On Sunday, October 27, La Plaza de Cultura y Artes is hosting a free Día de los Muertos Family Day. Explore the historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead traditions. Enjoy live music and dance and art workshops. Food and drinks available for sale. The celebration of life and death starts at noon.

The Glendale and Covina Hills locations of Forest Lawn are hosting Día de los Muertos events from noon to 3pm on Sunday, October 27. The festivities include a Community Altar, Cultural Expressions, Grupo Folklórico, Música de Mariachi and the Bob Baker Marionettes. Free parking and admission.

The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) presents the annual Día de los Muertos Festival on Sunday, October 27. This year’s theme is "Journey of Our Ancestors." The festival will be bigger and better than ever with dozens of merchants, food vendors, 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.

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 30, 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.

Perched on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, Spire 73 is the tallest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. The rooftop lounge offers stunning city views, chic fire pits, signature cocktails and culinary expressions to complement the view.

On Friday, November 1 Spire 73 presents a Día de los Muertos celebration from 9pm to 1am! General Admission and VIP Lounge Window Table tickets are on sale at Eventbrite. 21 and over.

Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil in a festive exploration of Latin American music for Día de los Muertos, with support from Mexico's Tambuco Percussion Ensemble and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Taking place at Walt Disney Concert Hall on November 1-3, the concerts will feature a program of vibrant Afro-Mexican and Brazilian music: Villa-Lobos (Chôros No. 10, “Rasga o Coração”), Gabriela Ortiz (Yanga) and Silvestre Revueltas’ film score for La noche de los Mayas.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is hosting several Día de los Muertos events. On Friday and Saturday (Nov. 1-2), museum educators will present Drop-In Tours: Exploring Identity & Día de los Muertos, highlighting the people-focused documentary style of the late Lourdes Portillo, a remarkable documentarian, visual artist, journalist, and activist.

Screening on Saturday, The Book of Life (2014) is a visually dazzling animated musical set in a Mexican town during Día de los Muertos. Diego Luna and Channing Tatum voice the roles of Manolo and Joaquin, two friends competing for the love of the same woman, Maria Posada (Zoe Saldana). Their rivalry inspires a wager between the rulers of the Land of the Remembered and the Land of the Forgotten.

Also on Saturday, the whole family is invited to meet Lil’ Libros illustrator Luis San Vicente for a reading and book signing of his newest book, Huesos. The story follows Huesos, Abuelo’s four-legged travieso, and his journey through the afterworld. Following the book signing, educators will lead a Día de los Muertos workshop featuring Huesos - create your own Huesos skeleton puppet and a scene to go with it! Info and tickets at the Academy Museum website.

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 2, Self Help Graphics & Art presents the 51st Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration! 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.

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 Muertos Market, live performances and food vendors.

The landmark Central Library is hosting a Día de los Muertos Family Celebration from 2-4pm on Saturday, November 2. Presented in Spanish and English, this family-friendly event is FREE and open to all!

Highlights include Día de los Muertos: Embracing Tradition with Joy presented by Dr. Gloria Arjona; Cuentos para vivos y muertos (Josué Cuentacuentos), Son Jarocho concert (Conjunto Tenocelomeh), Día de los Muertos Mayas: U Janal Pixano’ob / Comida de las ánimas (Sara Mijares / Mundo Maya Foundation), La Danza de la Muerte (Teatro del Barrio), Day of the Dead Ofrenda Workshop, Tin Embossing Repujado Workshop, crafts, photo booth and community altar.