Día de los Muertos Events in Southern California (2026)
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Día de los Muertos Events in Southern California (2026)
Día de los Muertos is a joyful celebration of family, memory and heritage, and Southern California is one of the best places to experience it. Colorful ofrendas, mariachi music, folklórico dancers and face painting fill parks, museums and plazas from late October into early November.
These events are a great way to introduce kids to the traditions behind the holiday. Many have hands-on art projects, family-friendly activities and community altars where children can help honor loved ones.
Most of the events below are free. Here is where to celebrate, listed by start date.
🚨 Know Before You Go!
The Kidsguide team does their best to get every detail right at the time of posting, but changes, cancellations, and mistakes can happen! Wild weather may shake up more events than usual this year, so double-check details with the organizer before heading out.
💀 Day of the Dead Festival
📍 Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), Long Beach
🗓️ October 25, 2026 • 11am-5pm
✅ FREE! (Parking $15)
Celebrate MOLAA’s 30th anniversary at its annual Day of the Dead family festival, with Ballet Folklorico, DJ sets, a Catrina/Catrin contest, and live music by La Nueva Diligencia. Enjoy traditional face painting, paper crafts, and sugar skull art workshops.
🌼 Día de los Muertos
📍 Old Town, San Diego
🗓️ September 1 – November 2, 2026
✅ FREE!
Explore colorful displays of decorated skulls, skeletons, catrinas, vignettes, marigolds, and cultural exhibits, plus a weekend fiesta October 31 – November 1 with music, food, and activities.
🌺 Downtown Día de los Muertos
📍 Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles
🗓️ October 24 – November 2, 2026
✅ FREE!
View community ofrendas honoring loved ones, and experience a weeklong program rooted in Indigenous Mexican traditions through art, music, ritual, reflection, and cultural connection throughout the park. The Opening Celebration is Saturday, October 24, from 11am – 4pm, features family-friendly activities, including face painting, sugar skull workshops, and live performances.
🕯️ 27th Annual Día de los Muertos: All Under One Sky
📍 Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles
🗓️ October 24, 2026
🎟️ General Admission: $36-57 / GA Kids: $27
Día de los Muertos at the world-famous Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a a daylong festival with extravagant altars, Aztec dancers, multiple stages of music, a ceremonial procession, live stage performances, a children’s plaza, art exhibitions, arts and crafts vendors, and food vendors.
🦋 Día de Muertos Festival
📍 MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana
🗓️ October 24, 2026 • 2-5pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy live performances, painting and cartoon art, face painting, a photo booth, ofrenda activities, an art contest, and workshops creating alebrije butterflies, ceramic cantaritos, and picture frames.
🎺 Día de los Muertos Festival
📍 Norman P. Murray Center, Mission Viejo
🗓️ October 24, 2026 • 2-7pm
✅ FREE!
Watch mariachi bands and folklórico dancers, see a processional parade and Catrina and Catrín contests, explore community ofrendas and vintage cars, browse artisan vendors, make crafts, get face painting, and visit a live butterfly experience.
🎨 Día de los Muertos Family Day
📍 LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Los Angeles
🗓️ October 25, 2026 • 12-4pm
✅ FREE!
Watch performances that pay homage to the dead through music and dance. Hands-on art, garden and culinary workshops will be offered throughout the day.
💃 Día de los Muertos Festival
📍 Olvera Street, Los Angeles
🗓️ October 25 – November 2, 2026
✅ FREE!
Join nightly processions with Mayan blessings, Aztec dancers, and costumed “Living Muertos,” view community altars, watch a theatrical performance, and share sweet bread and beverages.
🌿 Día de los Muertos at the Arboretum
📍 Los Angeles County Arboretum, Arcadia
🗓️ October 25, 2026
This first-ever evening celebration transforms the garden with a grand public altar, immersive experiences, live storytelling, DJ and music, and a Catrina contest. Families can enjoy children’s crafts, an artisanal makers market with local Latin-owned vendors, food and tequila tastings. Face painting is available for purchase.
🎶 15th Annual Día de los Muertos
📍 Downtown San Pedro
🗓️ October 25, 2026 • 3-9:30pm
✅ FREE!
Downtown San Pedro fills with live music, cultural performances, community altars, a Catrina costume contest, local food, and a beer garden. Families can also enjoy kids’ crafts, activities, and free trolley rides throughout the festival.
🎭 Day of the Dead: A Night of Community & Culture
📍 Center Greens Park, Anaheim
🗓️ October 30, 2026 • 5pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy a night of culture and community with vibrant altars, live performances, delicious food and activities for all ages.
🏃 Los Muertos 5K
📍 Olvera Street, Los Angeles
🗓️ October 31, 2026
Run or walk a 5K through historic Olvera Street, including a kids’ 5K for ages 12 and under, with music along the course and a post-race celebration.
🎉 Día de los Muertos Cultural Festival
📍 Plaza Mexico, Lynwood
🗓️ October 31, 2026 • 12-4pm
✅ FREE!
View colorful altars, watch cultural performances, listen to live music, browse artisan vendors, and enjoy traditional food while learning about Mexican heritage and remembrance traditions.
💀 International Food & Music Festival: Taste of the Underworld
📍 North Embarcadero Waterfront Park, Downtown San Diego
🗓️ October 31 – November 1, 2026
✅ FREE!
Spend Halloween weekend at this waterfront festival with international food, local vendors and artisans, family-friendly attractions, and live music from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Dress in costume for an 80s Funk Night on Halloween, then celebrate Día de los Muertos with Spanish Rock and Chicano Soul.
💃 10th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration
📍 Rainbow Lagoon, Long Beach
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 1-7pm
✅ FREE!
This year’s celebration returns to its original location at Rainbow Lagoon. Honor loved ones and celebrate together with performances, vendors and a resource fair.
🖼️ Día de los Muertos Art Festival
📍 Downey Theatre Plaza, Downey
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 11am – 8pm
Spend the day exploring art, culture, and community through traditional performances, curated fine art, hands-on workshops, live music, and family activities.
🐾 Día de los Muertos
📍 Heritage Museum of OC, Santa Ana
🗓️ November 1, 2026
✅ FREE!
Honor loved ones and pets at a community altar, enjoy live entertainment, browse vendors, grab food, and take part in arts and crafts.
🎸 Día de los Muertos
📍 Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 12-4pm
✅ FREE!
Listen to live music, browse work from local artisans, shop an arts and crafts sale, and make art with family-friendly hands-on activities.
🎡 Día de los Muertos
📍 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica
🗓️ October 31 – November 1, 2026
✅ FREE!
View altars inside the historic Merry Go-Round, contribute to a community altar, see installations by local artist Sylvia Sanchez, and take part in family-friendly cultural programming.
🏺 Mexican Day of the Dead Family Festival
📍 Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 11am – 3pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats in the courtyard.
🦴 Día de los Muertos
📍 Natural History Museum, Los Angeles
🗓️ November 1, 2026
Enjoy live music, participate in hands-on art activities, get an up-close look at NHM’s interpretive ofrenda (altar) for commemorating the dead, and more.
🌼 Northeast Los Angeles Día de los Muertos Festival
📍 Heritage Square Museum, Los Angeles
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 11am-4pm
✅ FREE!
Honor and remember loved ones with altars, mariachis, Aztec dancers, music, and free face painting for the kids. This family-friendly community event welcomes everyone.
🎤 Día de los Muertos in Dana Point
📍 La Plaza Park, Dana Point
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 2-7pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy ofrendas, live bands, dancing, chalk art, photo opportunities, crafts, a small slide, food, and beverages. Park at Dana Hills High School and ride the Dana Point Trolley, which provides continuous shuttle service to the event.
📚 Día de los Muertos Family Celebration
📍 Central Library, Los Angeles
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 1:30-4:30pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy sugar skull decorating, Aztec dance performances, storytelling, arts and crafts, ofrenda making, and photo opportunities with La Catrina Andante. The event is open to all ages.
💃 Xantolo: Día de los Muertos Celebration
📍 Progress Park Plaza, Paramount
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 3-8pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy art installations, mariachi, ballet folklórico, Danza Azteca, food vendors, artisan booths, and ofrendas honoring loved ones. Bring a blanket or lawn chair for comfortable seating.
🏵️ Día de los Muertos at Kidspace
📍 Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena
🗓️ November 1, 2026
Join this celebration of life with music, art, dance, and a community ofrenda where families can share memories of people and pets who have enriched their lives. Kids can create a postcard in memory of a loved one and add it to the ofrenda or take it home.
🌸 Día de los Muertos in the City
📍 Pretend City Children’s Museum, Irvine
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 11am
Sing along to Flower Songs Music at 11am, decorate a sugar skull during the 12-2pm drop-in, and watch a live folklórico performance with Relámpago del Cielo at 2:30pm.
🌻 Día de los Muertos at Forest Lawn
📍 Forest Lawn: Glendale, Covina Hills & Cypress
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 12-3pm
📍 Forest Lawn: Cathedral City
🗓️ November 2, 2026 • 5-8pm
Join this celebration with altars, cultural expressions, a folkloric dance group, mariachi music, and Bob Baker Marionettes.
🚗 26th Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival
📍 Sherman Way between Canoga & Topanga Canyon, Canoga Park
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 10am-5pm
✅ FREE!
Explore a classic car show, chalk art, altars, food trucks, live music, folklórico and Aztec dances, and free art activities. A cultural procession begins at 12:30pm and the Catrina contest is at 2pm, with festival attire encouraged instead of Halloween costumes.
🎭 Día de los Muertos Family Fest
📍 The Wallis, Beverly Hills
🗓️ November 1, 2026 • 11am
Remember loved ones, share stories, and celebrate life at the second annual Family Fest with festive music, dance, vibrant activities, and foods inspired by the tradition. There is fun for all ages.
🌹 Día de los Muertos at Fairhaven Memorial Park
📍 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana
🗓️ November 2, 2026 • 11am-2pm
✅ FREE!
Honor loved ones with folklórico dancers, mariachi music, prayers, face painting, and more.
🎊 El Poder de La Cultura Morelense: Día de Muertos
📍 120 W. 4th St., Santa Ana
🗓️ November 7, 2026 • 12-10pm
✅ FREE!
Enjoy live music, food, vendors, and the dance of the Chinelos, traditional dancers from Morelos, Mexico, known for their elaborate costumes and tall hats. A colorful parade of Chinelos and Catrinas begins at 5pm.
🎻 Día de Muertos Celebration
📍 Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, Rancho Dominguez
🗓️ November 7, 2026
✅ FREE!
Watch mariachi and baile folklórico performances, enjoy traditional food, browse local vendors, and view community ofrendas honoring loved ones and family traditions.
Dates, times and activities can change, so check each event’s website before you go. Many of these festivals fall on weekends and draw big crowds, so plan to arrive early.
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