Where to celebrate Day of the Dead in Los Angeles

Hollywood Forever Cemetery claims to host the largest Day of the Dead celebration in California, and we wouldn’t doubt it: The cemetery grounds are covered with altars, art exhibitions, dance rituals, musical performances, arts and crafts projects and food vendors (and crowds) aplenty. This year’s theme honors the tradition and symbolism of masks in Mexico and Latin America—but just a heads up that the ticketed event has again been split into a morning and evening session, with no crossover between the two.

Boyle Heights-adjacent gallery and community center Self Help Graphics & Art has presented this Day of the Dead celebration for half a century. And though its brick-and-mortar location is currently under renovation, SHG will still stage its annual tradition, albeit with a few off-site tweaks. The event will still begin with a procession at Mariachi Plaza (2pm), but it’ll then move a few stops east on the E Line to L.A. County Civic Center Park, where you’ll find altars, a marketplace, food, face painting and live entertainment. Look out for some themed, family-friendly art workshops in the lead-up to the event at the East L.A. County Library (Oct 7, 14, 21, 28: noon–3pm).

Peruse altars in the plaza of El Pueblo at this Day of the Dead celebration. Expect plenty of festive wares from the merchants on Olvera Street, along with altars that go on display each morning and a candlelight procession every night. Stop by during weekends for face painting and theatrical performances.

Join Grand Park for a nearly two-week display of 19 altars erected within the park. The altar displays officially kicks off on October 21 with an afternoon of sugar skull workshops and performances (11am–4pm), including Grupo Folklorico Huitzillin, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles and LA Opera-presented tenor Jonathan Lacayo. The altar displays close with a screening of the 1960 film Macario (Nov 2 at 7:30pm), presented by the GuadaLAjara Film Festival.

The University Park theater’s Day of the Dead block party includes outdoor a bunch of musical performances; previous editions included Aztec dance troupe Huitzilopochtli and ballet folklórico from Sol de Fuego, plus a procession led by ceremonial dancers Los Chinelos.

Long Beach’s Museum of Latin American Art is observing Day of the Dead with an afternoon of food, music and all sorts of festive touches. Themed after the museum’s upcoming exhibition on the complexity of Mexican cuisine, this year’s “Heco con Amor” edition includes over three dozen merchants, nine food stations, sweets, beer and wine, plus face painting, a sugat skull workshop, printmaking and tattoos.

Explore the historical and cultural significance of Day of the Dead traditions during this free celebration at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.

Downey’s annual Day of the Dead celebration returns to the city’s civic center. The free event features fine art from Latinx artists, crafts, ofrendas, ballet folklorico performances, food trucks and a beer and wine garden.

SoCal’s most recognizable cemetery chain—we’re not the only ones who think it’s weird that’s a thing, right?—is honoring the dead with Día de los Muertos celebrations at four of it locations. The Glendale, Cypress and Covina Hills locations (Oct 29) along with Cathedral City (Nov 2) will host altars, six-foot-tall Catrinas and hand-painted alebrijes. You’ll find folkloric dance and mariachi performances at all locations, plus an appearance by the Bob Baker Marionettes at the three L.A.-area ones.

Stroll the streets of Downtown San Pedro during this waterfront Day of the Dead celebration. You’ll find traditional and contemporary Latin American performers. Snack on regional Mexican fare, sip on suds in the beer garden, shop for artisan crafts and clothing and let the kiddos run around and get their face painted. Make sure to stop by the ceremonial altars—you can enter your own in a free competition—in addition to the community-wide altar of remembrance. The event takes place on 6th Street between Pacific Avenue and Centre Street.

Santa Monica will host crafts, performances and larger-than-life art installations during this Day of the Dead event. Look out for La Catrina sculptures from local artist Ricardo Soltero, who’s created ones for three blocks of the Third Street Promenade. You’ll also find a Latinx pop-up market and, in the evening, live music.