October 24, 2026
(27th Annual Celebration) 

Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038 

Hollywood Forever’s Día de los Muertos celebration is one of Los Angeles’ largest and most recognized Día de los Muertos cultural events. The festival brings together artists, families, musicians, dancers, and community members to honor loved ones who have passed away.

The celebration combines traditional Mexican customs with modern Los Angeles art and culture through:

• Community ofrendas (altars)
• Traditional music and dance
• Aztec ceremonial performances
• Art exhibitions
• Catrina artwork
• Face painting
• Cultural workshops
• Food and artisan markets

The event celebrates the central meaning of Día de los Muertos: remembering ancestors, celebrating life, and keeping memories alive through art and tradition.

Festival Art & Cultural Highlights

Artists and families create elaborate altars featuring:

• Photographs of loved ones
• Marigolds (cempasúchil)
• Candles
• Papel picado
• Favorite foods
• Personal belongings
• Religious and cultural symbols

Visitors can experience:

• La Catrina artwork
• Sugar skull designs
• Skeleton sculptures
• Murals
• Handmade crafts
• Traditional clothing
• Contemporary Mexican-American artwork

The festival features:

• Mariachi music
• Traditional Mexican dance
• Indigenous performances
• Live entertainment

Hours:
Event schedule varies yearly; check official event information before attending. 

Admission:
Ticket information varies by year. 

Family Friendly:
Yes — activities often include art, cultural demonstrations, performances, and educational experiences. 

What to Expect:

✔ Large outdoor festival
✔ Hundreds of artistic displays
✔ Food vendors
✔ Cultural performances
✔ Costume displays
✔ Community altars
✔ Photography opportunities

Visitor Tips:

• Arrive early for parking and crowds.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes.
• Bring a camera for artwork and altars.
• Respect personal memorials and ofrendas.
• Learn the meaning behind the symbols before visiting.

Día de los Muertos at Olvera Street

October 25 – November 2 (annual celebration)

El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument
Olvera Street
Los Angeles, California 

Olvera Street has celebrated Día de los Muertos for more than 30 years. The celebration honors Mexican traditions by combining Indigenous, Aztec, and Catholic influences through altars, ceremonies, music, and community gatherings. 

• Community ofrendas
• Sugar skull artwork
• La Catrina figures
• Papel picado
• Face painting
• Traditional costumes
• Aztec dance performances
• Artisan crafts
• 
  

• Family-friendly event
• Free community celebration
• Nightly ceremonies and activities
• Food vendors and cultural demonstrations
• Great location for photography and learning about Los Angeles history 

Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos

October 24 – November 2, 2026

Gloria Molina Grand Park
Downtown Los Angeles 

Grand Park’s Día de los Muertos celebration creates a public space where Los Angeles communities honor loved ones through art, music, rituals, and community-created ofrendas. The event highlights Indigenous Mexican traditions while celebrating modern Los Angeles culture. 

• Large community altars
• Contemporary Día de los Muertos artwork
• Cultural performances
• Music
• Family activities
• Artist installations

• Free public event
• Outdoor celebration
• Family-friendly
• Located near downtown attractions
• Visitors can view community ofrendas and participate in remembrance 

LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Los Angeles, California

LA Plaza preserves and shares Mexican American history, culture, and art in Los Angeles. Día de los Muertos programs highlight remembrance, community storytelling, and cultural education.

• Ofrendas
• Exhibitions
• Mexican American artwork
• Cultural workshops
• Family activities

• Museum and cultural center
• Educational programs
• Art exhibitions
• Located near El Pueblo and Olvera Street

Late October – November 2 (annual celebration)
Specific dates vary each year. 

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
San Diego, California 

Old Town San Diego’s Día de los Muertos celebration honors the traditions of Mexico through community altars, cultural performances, and remembrance ceremonies. The historic neighborhood celebrates San Diego’s Mexican heritage and provides a space where families honor ancestors and share stories. 

The celebration often includes:

• Community ofrendas
• Candlelight procession
• Aztec dance performances
• Mariachi music
• Art displays
• Cultural demonstrations
• Face painting
• Traditional foods 
• 
  

• Large community altars
• Sugar skull artwork
• La Catrina figures
• Papel picado decorations
• Marigold displays
• Skeleton art
• Traditional crafts
• 
  

• Family-friendly cultural event
• Free activities and public displays
• Great location for photography
• Visitors can view ofrendas throughout the historic district
• Respect memorial altars and personal tributes 

October – November season (annual)
Dates vary yearly. 

Sherman Heights Community area
San Diego, California 

Sherman Heights celebrates Día de los Muertos by bringing neighbors together to honor loved ones through traditional altars, music, food, and cultural activities. The neighborhood has a long history of preserving Mexican American traditions. 

• Community ofrendas
• Local artist displays
• Traditional decorations
• Cultural performances
• Handmade crafts
• 
  

• Family-oriented event
• Community celebration
• Includes performances, food, and altar viewing 

Late October – Early November (annual)
Dates vary yearly. 

Barrio Logan Cultural District
San Diego, California Barrio Logan Cultural District

Barrio Logan is one of San Diego’s most important Mexican American cultural neighborhoods. Día de los Muertos celebrations highlight Chicano art, community history, and the tradition of remembering ancestors. 

• Chicano murals
• Ofrendas
• Lowrider art
• Catrina artwork
• Traditional music
• Local artists
• 
  

• Cultural neighborhood celebration
• Art-focused activities
• Great destination for photographers and artists

November 1, 2026

The Old Globe – Balboa Park
1363 Old Globe Way
San Diego, CA 

The Old Globe celebration brings together theater, art, music, and cultural traditions to honor loved ones through performances, workshops, and traditional altar displays. 

• Ofrendas
• Art workshops
• Traditional performances
• Cultural storytelling
• 
  

• Family-friendly
• Educational activities
• Music and dance performances
• Located inside Balboa Park 

Late October (annual)
Dates vary yearly. 

Downtown Oceanside, California

The Oceanside celebration honors Día de los Muertos through community art, altars, performances, and activities celebrating Mexican culture. 

• Community altars
• Chalk cemetery art
• Catrina makeup
• Arts and crafts
• Cultural performances
• 
  

• Family-friendly
• Outdoor festival
• Food vendors
• Art activities
• Community celebration 

Orange County has many Día de los Muertos celebrations featuring community ofrendas, altar displays, Mexican-American art, music, dance, sugar skulls, La Catrina artwork, and family activities.

October/November (annual)
Dates vary by year. 

Downtown Santa Ana
Santa Ana, California
Noche de Altares

Noche de Altares celebrates Día de los Muertos by bringing the community together to create public altars honoring loved ones. Families, artists, schools, and organizations build ofrendas decorated with photographs, candles, flowers, food, and cultural artwork. 

• Community ofrendas
• Sugar skull art
• Papel picado
• Catrina artwork
• Live music
• Traditional dance
• Local artists
• 
  

• Family-friendly
• Free community event
• Walking festival experience
• Great photography opportunity
• Respect personal memorial altars

November 1, 2026
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Heritage Museum of Orange County
Santa Ana, California

The Heritage Museum of Orange County hosts a community Día de los Muertos celebration focused on preserving cultural traditions through art, remembrance, and education. The event includes a community altar where families can honor loved ones.

• Community altar (ofrenda)
• Family photos
• Marigolds
• Arts and crafts
• Cultural performances
• Food vendors
• 
  

• Free community event
• Family activities
• Live entertainment
• Vendors
• Educational experience 
• 
  

October/November (annual)
Dates vary yearly.

Downtown Santa Ana
Santa Ana, California
Viva La Vida

Viva La Vida celebrates Latino culture, art, and community through Día de los Muertos traditions. The festival highlights local artists, musicians, performers, and cultural organizations.

• Día de los Muertos artwork
• Catrina costumes
• Murals
• Artisan booths
• Live performances
• Cultural displays
• 
  

• Outdoor festival
• Art and music focused
• Family friendly
• Food and craft vendors

Annual October/November celebration
Dates vary. 

Christ Cathedral
Garden Grove, California

This celebration honors loved ones through altar displays created by community groups. The event combines remembrance traditions with music, dance, and cultural performances. 

• Community altars
• Aztec dance
• Folklórico performances
• Mariachi music
• Face painting
• Cultural art
• 
  

• Family-friendly
• Cultural performances
• Food vendors
• Children’s activities 

November 1 (annual programs vary)

Santa Ana Cemetery
Santa Ana, California

The cemetery provides families a place to honor ancestors by decorating gravesites and creating personal memorials. Día de los Muertos traditions continue through flowers, photographs, and remembrance.

• Grave decorations
• Marigold flowers
• Personal ofrendas
• Family memorials
• 
  

• Respectful memorial setting
• Families may create personal ofrendas
• Free community activities may be offered 

November (annual)
2026 date announced closer to event. 

Pretend City Children's Museum
Irvine, California

Pretend City introduces children and families to Día de los Muertos through interactive learning, crafts, storytelling, and cultural activities.

• Sugar skull crafts
• Storytelling
• Children's artwork
• Cultural activities
• 
  

• Family-focused
• Educational activities
• Museum admission required shoes and shirt at all times

Riverside County celebrates Día de los Muertos with community festivals, art exhibitions, ofrendas, live music, traditional dance, and cultural programs that honor ancestors and preserve Mexican heritage. 

Riverside Day of the Dead

4.7•FestivalsWebsite•Directions•(951) 965-4392

Late October – Early November (Annual)
(Main celebrations are usually held around Día de los Muertos weekend.) 

Downtown Riverside / White Park area
Riverside, California

The Riverside Día de los Muertos Festival brings together families, artists, and community organizations to honor loved ones who have passed away. The celebration highlights Mexican traditions through public ofrendas, artwork, music, dance, and cultural education. 

• Community ofrendas
• Sugar skull artwork
• La Catrina art
• Papel picado
• Marigold decorations
• Traditional clothing
• Local artists
• Cultural performances

• Family-friendly event
• Outdoor festival
• Art vendors and food vendors
• Live entertainment
• Photography opportunities
• Visitors should respect personal memorial altars 

Day of the Dead Arts Fest

4.0•FestivalsWebsite•Directions•(909) 798-8611

October/November (Annual)
Dates vary each year.

Redlands, California

The Day of the Dead Arts Fest celebrates the connection between art and remembrance. The event features artists, makers, musicians, and community members sharing Día de los Muertos traditions through creative expression.

• Día de los Muertos artwork
• Handmade crafts
• Sugar skull designs
• Catrina creations
• Artist booths
• Cultural demonstrations

• Art-focused festival
• Family-friendly
• Great for artists and collectors
• Local vendors and performances

Annual October/November celebration
Dates announced yearly. 

Jurupa Valley
4800 Crestmore Road
Jurupa Valley, California 

Jurupa Valley hosts a Día de los Muertos celebration featuring community traditions, music, food, art exhibits, and activities that bring families together to honor ancestors. 

• Artist exhibits
• Community altars
• Traditional decorations
• Music
• Cultural performances

• Family-friendly
• Food booths
• Live music
• Art displays
• Community gathering 

November (Annual)
Dates vary each year. 

Downtown Riverside, California 

The City of Riverside recognizes Día de los Muertos as part of its annual cultural programming. The event celebrates remembrance through art, community participation, and cultural traditions. 

• Large-scale ofrendas
• Local artwork
• Face painting
• Music and dance
• Cultural storytelling

• Open to the public
• Community celebration
• Family activities
• Cultural learning opportunities 

Region: Riverside County, California
Cities Featured:

• Riverside
• Jurupa Valley
• Redlands

Traditions Featured:
✓ Ofrendas
✓ Sugar Skulls
✓ La Catrina
✓ Marigolds
✓ Papel Picado
✓ Mariachi
✓ Folklórico Dance
✓ Mexican-American Art
✓ Ancestor Remembrance

November 2 (annual celebration)
(Date may vary depending on year.) 

Potrero del Sol Park

4.5•City park•OpenWebsite•Directions•(415) 554-9521

San Francisco, California 

The Marigold Project’s Día de los Muertos Festival of Altars creates a community space where families and artists build ofrendas to honor loved ones who have passed away. The event connects ancient traditions of ancestor remembrance with modern San Francisco art and community expression. 

• Community ofrendas
• Marigold flower displays
• Candles and photographs
• Sugar skull artwork
• Papel picado
• Live music
• Traditional ceremonies
• 
  

• Family-friendly cultural event
• Visitors can view community altars
• Bring respectful offerings if participating
• Photography is encouraged while respecting memorials
• Features performances and cultural activities 

Late October – November 2 (annual)
Specific dates vary. 

Mission District
San Francisco, California
Calle 24 Latino Cultural District

The Mission District has been a center of Latino culture in San Francisco for decades. Día de los Muertos celebrations here honor ancestors through neighborhood altars, Aztec traditions, music, dance, and community art.

• Aztec dance ceremonies
• Lowrider art
• Murals
• Community altars
• La Catrina artwork
• Face painting
• Mexican-American art

• Walking celebration
• Great for photographers and artists
• Explore murals and cultural spaces
• Respect private memorials and offerings

November 1 (annual)
Example event: November 1, 2025, 4 PM–9 PM. Future dates vary. 

Yerba Buena Gardens

4.4•Park•OpenWebsite•Directions•(415) 543-1718

San Francisco, California 

This celebration honors ancestors through Indigenous blessings, community altars, music, dance, art, and cultural performances. It highlights the importance of ancestral memory and community connection. 

• Indigenous ceremonies
• Community altar
• Live mural painting
• Dance performances
• Artisan booths
• Traditional music

• Free community event
• Family-friendly
• Outdoor celebration
• Food and artisan vendors available 

October–November (annual exhibition)
Dates vary yearly. 

SOMArts Cultural Center

4.4•Cultural center•ClosedWebsite•Directions•(415) 863-1414

San Francisco, California

SOMArts presents one of San Francisco’s most important Día de los Muertos art exhibitions, featuring contemporary artists who create installations, altars, and artwork inspired by remembrance traditions.

• Contemporary ofrendas
• Large-scale installations
• Chicano and Latino artwork
• Photography
• Sculpture
• Community altars

• Museum-style art experience
• Great for artists and students
• Photography opportunities
• Educational cultural experience

November 1, 2026 (listed event date) 

Garfield Square
Mission District, San Francisco 

Garfield Square celebrations bring residents together to honor loved ones through community remembrance, cultural activities, and Día de los Muertos traditions.

• Ofrendas
• Flowers
• Community artwork
• Cultural performances

• Public community gathering
• Family-friendly
• Check yearly schedule before attending

5

Sacramento has a long history of celebrating Día de los Muertos through Chicano art, community altars, music, dance, cultural exhibitions, and ancestor remembrance. Many events are connected to the work of Sacramento Latino artists and organizations preserving Mexican traditions. 

October 31 – November 2 (annual)
(Annual dates may vary.) 

Latino Center of Art and Culture

Museum•ClosedWebsite•Directions•(916) 446-5133

Sacramento, California

El Panteón de Sacramento is one of the city’s major Día de los Muertos traditions. The event honors ancestors through family-created altars, live music, dance performances, and community art. It represents Sacramento’s Mexican-American cultural heritage and keeps remembrance traditions alive through generations. 

• Community ofrendas
• Family altars
• Sugar skull artwork
• La Catrina figures
• Papel picado
• Traditional dance
• Local artists

• Family-friendly cultural event
• Live entertainment
• Art displays
• Food vendors
• Great photography opportunity
• Respect personal memorial altars

5

March 9, 2026 – April 5, 2026 (special exhibition)

Sacramento History Museum
Sacramento, California 

This exhibition celebrates the 50-year history of Día de los Muertos observances in Sacramento and highlights the influence of the Royal Chicano Air Force, a major Chicano art and cultural movement.

• Chicano artwork
• Historical photographs
• Día de los Muertos posters
• Community stories
• Cultural artifacts

• Museum admission required
• Educational experience
• Great for students, artists, and history visitors
• Exhibition runs through April 5, 2026 

October – November (annual exhibition season)

La Raza Galeria Posada

4.3•Art Galleries•ClosedWebsite•Directions•(916) 446-5133

Sacramento, California

La Raza Galería Posada has played an important role in Sacramento’s Chicano art movement. The gallery promotes Día de los Muertos artwork, cultural education, and community remembrance through exhibitions and events.

• Día de los Muertos paintings
• Prints and murals
• Calavera artwork
• Catrina art
• Community altars
• Local artists
• 
  

• Art gallery experience
• Great for collectors and artists
• Educational cultural visit
• Check seasonal hours before visiting

November 2 (annual)

Locations include:

• St. Mary Cemetery & Funeral Center — Sacramento
• Calvary Cemetery & Funeral Center — Citrus Heights
• All Souls Cemetery & Funeral Center 

This celebration focuses on remembrance and honoring loved ones through community altars, photographs, personal items, and reflection ceremonies. 

• Memorial ofrendas
• Family photographs
• Candles
• Flowers
• Personal keepsakes

• Bring photographs or meaningful items for community altars
• Family remembrance event
• Respectful cemetery setting 

Late October – November 2 (annual)

Downtown Sacramento and cultural venues throughout the city

Sacramento’s Día de los Muertos celebrations connect Mexican Indigenous traditions with modern Latino art, honoring ancestors through public displays, performances, and educational programs.

• Public altars
• Street art
• Music
• Dance
• Cultural workshops

• Family activities
• Community celebrations
• Check yearly schedules through local event calendars