Hollywood Forever Cemetery claims to host the largest Day of the Dead celebration in California, and we wouldn’t doubt it: Each year, the cemetery grounds are covered with altars to the dead created by community artists, dance rituals, arts and crafts projects, amazing costumes and food vendors (and crowds) aplenty.
The display is sure to be spectacular, as always, though the programming changes a bit from year to year; last year’s event dropped musical performances in favor of showings of Disney’s Coco, but this year, expect a live music lineup led by DannyLux, Trish Toledo, East L.A.’s Tropa Magica and San Diego’s Los Shadows, as well as a trio of DJs. The 2026 edition will swap time-limited sessions for entry windows, with three admission times available to book (noon–4pm, 4–7pm, 7–11pm). Ticket prices differ depending on what time you arrive, though in all cases you’re welcome to stay until the midnight close. As far as when to attend, the glowing, flickering altars look absolutely incredible after dark—though that’s also when the crowds tend to be the thickest.