From the days of intimate community celebrations in East Los Angeles in the early 1970s to today’s massive festivals in 2023, celebrating Day of the Dead in Los Angeles is something Angelenos look forward to all year long It has become a tradition.
LA TACO has been creating this annual event guide for more than a decade to help readers looking to celebrate a loved one experience an event that has become a rich, community-centered tradition .
However you choose to celebrate, know that there is no wrong way as long as you honor and remember your ancestors and loved ones.
As artist and renowned altarcrite Ofelia Esparza says, we all experience three deaths in our lives. The first is the day we take our last breath. The second is when they are buried and never seen again. The third worst death anyone can experience is being forgotten.
“We are here for only a short time, like a wilting flower. Everything is temporary, but we are all here with a purpose, and we are here for a short time, like a wilting flower. ,” Esparza says.
Here’s how to make the most of Muertos season in Los Angeles City, which is going by quickly.
Hollywood Forever’s Dia de Los Muertos x LA TACO’s TACOLAND ~ October 28th
Join us for the 3rd Annual Tacoland Taco Tasting Collaboration Event inside Hollywood Forever’s Dia de Muertos Festival. TACO MADNESS 2023 Champions, both Tacos La Carreta and Tacos Los Cholos, plus Pablito’s Tacos, Carnitas El Artista, LA Times Restaurant of the Year, Holbox, is coming to our little corner during the country’s biggest Day of the Dead festival.
This year, there will also be a lineup of emerging artists performing on TACOLAND’s stage, including Los Yesterdays, The Delirians, Raskahuele, and Healing Gems. Win tickets to family-friendly morning and afternoon sessions starting at 9am, or all-night His Party sessions starting at 6pm.
Bomba Estereo comes from Colombia and will be playing their electro-tropical sounds on the main stage starting at 9pm, with Danny Lux headlining the daytime show.
Buy your tickets here before they sell out: Morning or evening tickets are still available.
Self Help Graphics & Art’s DĂa de los Muertos Community Art Workshop ~ Boyle Heights ~ October 7, 14, 21, and 28
Currently undergoing building renovations, Self Help Graphics & Art returned to the East LA Civic Center for Dia de los Muertos workshops and celebrations. A free workshop for bilingual families at the East Los Angeles County Library will teach participants how to make papel picados, marigold paper, caraca cutouts and caraca magnets. All workshop materials will be provided, so please register. The workshop will be held from 12:00pm to 3:00pm on October 14th, 21st, and 28th. Registration is free.
El Veroglio: Day of the Dead Music & Arts Festival ~Lincoln Heights~ October 14th
Celebrating its 13th year, El Veloglio returns to Plaza Raza in Lincoln Heights on Saturday, October 14th to celebrate the Feast of No Eltos. Organized by Anabel Muñoz and Sid Garcia, this year’s Veloglio will feature performances by LA DIABLA and DECALIFORNIA, as well as DJs, a bike show, and a curated art exhibit paying homage to fallen female icons. Get your tickets here.
Downtown Dia de Los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park ~ DTLA ~ October 21st to November 2nd
For the past 12 years, Gloria Molina Grand Park has hosted a Day of the Dead altar created by local organizations and artists from around the city. Starting Saturday, October 21st, anyone can visit the park and see 20 different altars that will be on display until November 2nd. This year’s communal altar will give participants the opportunity to remember the victims and those who have died of gun violence in Monterey Park. Due to the wildfires on Maui.
The first day’s celebration will feature performances by Grupo Folklorico Huitzirin and Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles. LA Opera Connects will feature tenor Jonathan Lacayo, who will perform a piece celebrating Muertos’ death. Park visitors will also have the opportunity to build their own mini altars and cookie sugar skulls. The opening ceremony will be held on October 21st from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will coincide with Grand Avenue Arts: All Access, in which the park is participating.
On Thursday, Nov. 2, the park will partner with the Guadalajara Film Festival (GLAFF) to screen the 1960 film “Macario” at 7:30 p.m. as part of the park’s closing ceremony. This is a free community screening open to all park visitors that celebrates a legend of Latin American cinema.Free tickets are available below glaff.org/program.
San Pedro Dia de Los Muertos Festival ~San Pedro~ October 22nd
This Day of the Dead celebration by the sea will return for its 12th year on Saturday, October 22, with a family-friendly day of music, art, and food in downtown San Pedro. This free festival includes performances by mariachi divas de Cindy Shea, Elas, Neyya Arts, Julian Torres, dancers Aztecasochipili, and local youth dance groups. Participants will also have the opportunity to donate to a local altar.visit festival website For more information, see
Dia de los Muertos, Olvera Street ~ DTLA ~ October 25th
A free Day of the Dead celebration will be held on Olvera Street from Wednesday, October 25th to Thursday, November 2nd. At 6 p.m., the festivities begin on the stage in the plaza with Teatro del Barrio’s play “Danza de la Muerte,” which tells the story of DĂa de los Muertos.
The performance will be followed by a Novenario procession starting at the top of Calle Olvera and ending at the kiosk, followed by an evening ceremony to honor loved ones. Starting October 28, a communal altar will be open to the public in the square as part of the evening celebrations. For the latest information on events, please visit Instagram.
Carrera de los Muertos returns on Saturday, October 28th, when runners take over the city for a 5K run/walk to celebrate the Day of the Dead. The route will take you through Olvera Street, Chinatown and Los Angeles State Historic Park, ending with an early morning celebration. To learn about the event and register, visit the race’s official website.
Day of the Dead in Downtown Santa Monica ~ October 28th
Celebrate Day of the Dead with live music, a communal altar, and a Latin pop-up market on the Third Street Promenade at this family-friendly event. The event will feature performances by Neya Arts, Ballet Flor de Mayo, Grupo La Rosa, Folkler América, Poco Pocho, and various Latino student groups.
The community altar will be open to the public, along with a public art sculpture by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero, and a Latin pop-up market featuring a diverse selection of crafts, art, and treats curated by Molcajete Dominguero will be done. For the latest information on events, please visit Instagram.
Downey Dia de Los Muertos Arts Festival ~ October 29th
This family-friendly community festival in Downtown Downey features live music, dance performances, curated art exhibits, local craft sales, food, altar displays, and more. For the latest information on events, please visit Instagram.
Dia de los Muertos at MOLAA ~Long Beach~ October 29th
The Latin American Art Museum is an annual family-friendly event featuring more than 36 local merchants, food vendors, and live performances. The festival will also feature a face painting station, a sugar skull workshop for kids, a printmaking station, and live tattoo artists. For more information about the event, please visit Visit their website.
Plaza de Lhasa Dia de los Muertos Festival ~Lincoln Heights~November 1st
This family-friendly event includes curated art exhibits, live music, dance performances, workshops, and local food and craft sales. Be sure to check back for the latest information on events. Instagram.
Boyle Heights Los Muertos ~ November 3rd
Commemorating loved ones through art and music, this Day of the Dead festival features community altars, folklorico performances, DJs, live music, and local craft and food stalls. Be sure to check out our Instagram for event updates.
Dia de los Muertos at Eastside Cafe ~El Sereno~ November 3rd
El Sereno-based Eastside Cafe will host free workshops for families each month leading up to a community event on Nov. 3 featuring live performances, arts and crafts, and a musical procession. Check out Instagram for event updates. Please stop by the space next weekend and be a part of our creations.
- Paper Flower Workshop 10/15, 22, 29 11am – 1pm
- Papier Calavera Workshop 10/14, 21 11:00am – 1:00pm
- Sugar Skull Workshop 10/22, 29 11am – 1pm
- Hanabori collection 10/28 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.