It’s time for local Dia de los Muertos commemorations, which, for the faithful, celebrate the return of the dearly departed to earth for one day only each year.
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Typically, children who died young return on Nov. 1, while adults return on Nov. 2 — although this can vary by local customs. Devotees build ofrendas (altars) displaying things that the loved ones favored in life in the hope that this will help lure them back home. Typical items include beloved photos, a favorite beverage and such. Traditional materials to build the ofrendas include stalks of sugar cane and marigolds. In classic regions, families spend the night in the cemetery after decorating the graves, often bringing music and food. This is a Mexican and Central American tradition dating back to pre-Columbian times that began in southern regions but has continued to spread in popularity around the world.
Oct. 24 — Glendale: Visit the Glendale Central Library from 2 to 5 p.m. for the city’s annual Dia de Los Muertos festival. Family activities include face painting, starting at 1 p.m., Aztec dancers, Ballet Folklorico, live mariachi music and student performances. 3 hours free parking with validation at the Marketplace parking structure. 222 E. Harvard St., Glendale. glendaleca.libnet.info/event/17390538
Oct. 24 — San Fernando: Bring the family to Recreation Park to celebrate and build your own altar, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ages 5 and older can also enter the Catrina/Catrin costume contest. Call 818-898-1290 or visit Recreation Park to apply. Live performances, arts and crafts and family fun. Food for sale. 208 Park Ave., San Fernando. sanfernando.gov/Parks-Recreation/Events/Dia-de-Los-Muertos-Cultural-Festival
Oct. 24-Nov. 2 — Downtown Los Angeles: Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos and Grand Ave. Arts All Access Day. Opening day of the cultural event is Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is slated to include family activities such as face painting and sugar skull workshops, live musical performances and installation of 17 unique altars, also known as ofrendas. There will also be a “Grand Avenue Arts: All Access Day” when local arts organizations open their doors for special events and workshops. The ofrendas will remain up for viewing through Nov. 2, during which the park transforms into an illuminated, sacred civic sanctuary. On Sunday, Nov. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. there will be a closing celebration commemorating the Noche de Los Muertos. 200 N Grand Ave., Los Angeles. grandparkla.org/diadelosmuertos
Oct. 25 —San Pedro: Come down to the historic downtown from 3 to 9:30 p.m. for the 15th Annual San Pedro Día de los Muertos Festival, hosted by Discover San Pedro. There will be art, kids crafts, live music and a Catrina contest with prizes. Dressing up is encouraged. 398 W. 6th Street, San Pedro. Park at 566 S. Centre St., San Pedro. Sign up in advance for the Catrina contest. sanpedrodayofthedead.com
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 — San Bernardino: Celebrate at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery with the local community. On Oct. 31, experience the community ofrenda from noon until 6 p.m. Then, on Nov. 1, enjoy an evening family celebration from 4 to 8 p.m. including live cultural performances, a Catrina/Catrin contest, marionette show from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Upload your own family photo for the altar here by Oct. 25: sanbernardino.gov/1714/Da-de-los-Muertos-Family-Photo-Submissio. 142 7th St., San Bernardino. eventbrite.com/e/day-of-the-deaddia-de-los-muertos-tickets-2002652093321
Nov. 1 — Downey: Head to the theater for the Día de Los Muertos Art Festival from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Traditional folkloric dances and other live entertainment on multiple stages, sugar skulls, a car show, art displays, a community altar and more. Food trucks will sell vittles. At the Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey. Free parking at Downey High School. ddlm.downeytheatre.org/
Nov. 1 — Beverly Hills: Visit the Wallis from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the 2nd annual Dia de Los Muertos Family Fest. Enjoy live mariachis, an ofrenda, crafts, storytelling and face painting. Food trucks will have food for sale. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Learn more and RSVP here: thewallis.org.
Nov. 1 — Canoga Park: Bring the family from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the 26th Annual Main Street Canoga Park Día de los Muertos Family Festival. Folkloric dancing, chalk art, Aztec dancers, classic car show, live music, ofrendas and more. 21801 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. canogaparkfestival.com
Nov. 1 — Covina Hills, Cypress and Glendale: Three Forest Lawn memorial parks will celebrate from noon until 3 p.m. with marigolds, Catrina and spirit guide artworks, community altars, Bob Baker marionettes, folklorico and mariachi performances, arts and crafts, face 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale; 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina; 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress. (There also will be a celebration on Nov. 2 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City.) forestlawn.com/events/dia-de-los-muertos/
Nov. 1 — Fullerton: Check out the free Muckenthaler Cultural Center Día de los Muertos Festival from noon until 4 p.m. with live music, family fun, kids arts and crafts, local artisans and more. Co-exists with the annual Artistic License Fair. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton. themuck.org/program/2026-11-1
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Nov. 1 — Long Beach: Visit the Rainbow Lagoon from 1 to 7 p.m. for the 10th anniversary of this city-sponsored family festival with cultural performances and family fun. Most parking is paid. 400 E. Shoreline Drive, Long Beach. longbeach.gov/pages/city-news/dia-de-los-muertos/
Nov. 1 — Santa Ana: Head to the Bowers Museum for its free Mexican Day of the Dead Festival. Live music and dance, art projects, face painting and more. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2002 North Main St., Santa Ana. bowers.org/index.php/programs/family-programs/mexican-day-of-the-dead-3
Nov. 1 — Santa Ana: Visit the Heritage Museum of Orange County from 5 to 9 p.m. for its annual festival with live entertainment, a community altar, arts and crafts, blacksmith demonstrations, tours of the Kellogg House and more. You can submit photos of loved ones or pets to be included on the altar/ofrenda to tinyurl.com/hmocddlm26. The ofrenda will be up for public viewing from Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. until Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. Heritage Museum of Orange County, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana. heritagemuseumoc.org/
Nov. 1 — Ontario: Stop by the Ontario Museum of History and Art from 3 to 6 p.m. to enjoy this year’s family friendly Dia de Los Muertos Celebration. There will be a Catrina contest, face painting, live music and a citywide procession. Ontario Museum of History & Art, 225 South Euclid Ave. Ontario. ontariomuseum.org/events/2026-11-01/dia-de-los-muertos-celebration
Nov. 2 — Lake Forest: On this Monday, (times to be announced) “Dia de los Muertos To Go” is scheduled at the El Toro Memorial Park, with free giveaways including small bouquets of marigolds, pan muertos (bread of the dead) and craft kits for kids. Stop by and pick them up to take with you outside the office. Families are also invited to create their own personal ofrendas (altars) on gravesites of their loved ones, beginning on Oct. 22 and ending Nov. 17. Do not leave any valuables on the altars and no open flames allowed. Anything remaining on Nov. 18 will be discarded. 25751 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest. occemeterydistrict.com/dia-de-los-muertos-to-go-el-toro-memorial-park
Nov. 5 — Norco: The city invites you to The Barn at Ingalls Event Center from 6 to 8 p.m. to celebrate Dia de los Muertos in Horsetown. Colorful theme attire is encouraged along with skull face painting. Bring photos of departed loved ones for the communal altar. Contest for Most Festive Fashion. 96 Sixth St., Norco. norco.ca.us/events-attractions/community-events/day-of-the-dead
Nov. 7-8 — Riverside: The 23rd annual Riverside Day of the Dead festival takes place over two days, Nov. 7 from 1 to 10 p.m. and Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This event will be held downtown on Market Street between University Avenue and 14th Street, and also in White Park. Live entertainment on multiple stages, community and classic car altars, Lucha Libre, face painting, craft booths, Aztec dancers and a Catrina pageant. instagram.com/p/DZ8SfwpEgka/
Nov. 7 — Santa Ana: This year’s Noche de los Altares will run from noon until 9 p.m. People are invited to view local altars or, for a donation, make their own altars to celebrate their loved ones. Live music, kids face painting and more. El Centro Cultural de México, 837 N. Ross St., Santa Ana. nochedealtares.info
Nov. 7 — Rancho Dominguez/Compton: Watch live mariachi and folklorico performances and other cultural touchstones at the historic adobe rancho’s Día de Muertos Celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can submit an application to put up your own ofrenda, too. 18127 S. Alameda St., Rancho Dominguez. dominguezrancho.org/
Nov. 14 — Pomona. Visit the “Downtown Hasta La Muerte,” a Day of the Dead Celebration with live music and performances, altar displays, art galleries, car show, food for sale and more. Coincides with the 2nd Saturday Artwalk, and its market in Shaun Diamond Plaza. Main festival: 197 W 2nd St, Pomona. downtownpomona.org/hastalamuerte
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