Pay tribute to the deceased with these Día de los Muertos Los Angeles events

Every fall, many families gather to honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away by celebrating Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. Whether they decorate elaborate altars with photos and sentimental objects of remembrance or paint their faces like skulls, otherwise known as Calaveras, there are many special traditions you can share with your children. We’ve rounded up some of the best events in SoCal to commemorate the holiday this year.

What Is Día de los Muertos?

Celebrated throughout the Americas, the tradition of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, originated in Mexico. Kids will recognize the colorfully decorated sugar skull as the most common symbol. Your town or neighborhood may host a celebration, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it. Did you know: Día de los Muertos holiday is actually two days, held consecutively: Nov. 1 is marked as a day to honor lost children, as well as any lost or forgotten souls. Nov. 2, Day of the Dead official, honors all lost ancestors and loved ones.

Los Angeles Day of the Dead Events Near Me

Plaza de Familia at Disney California Adventure Park
Now - Nov. 2: The Disney and Pixar Academy Award-winning film, Coco, comes to life at Disney California Adventure’s Plaza de la Familia with an immersive celebration of the everlasting bonds of family. Highlights include A Musical Celebration of Coco, photos with the film’s main character, Miguel, as well as Mariachi concerts, paper mask design, delicious Mexican food, and an opportunity to post personal messages to loved ones at the memory wall near the Mexican Arbol de la Vida (Tree of Life). Event details.

Related: 18 Latinx Trailblazers You & Your Kids Should Know

More Day of the Day Events around Los Angeles

Día de los Muertos at Olvera Street
Now - Nov. 2: Over nine days, a colorful celebration of Día de los Muertos takes place on Olvera St. that blends ancient traditions with modern interpretations of the holiday. Highlights include nightly theatrical performances, a vibrant parade honoring loved ones who’ve passed, community altars, free sweet bread, entertainment, face painting on select dates, and a 5K race celebrating the Day of the Dead. Event details.

Día de los Muertos on the Third  Street Promenade
Now - Nov. 2: Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) is honoring Día de los Muertos, highlighting the traditional Mexican cultural celebration of life and death, with live entertainment and a display of nine La Catrina sculptures on view throughout three blocks of the Third Street Promenade. The larger-than-life sculptures are by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero and depict La Catrina, one of Día de los Muertos' most recognizable figures originally created by Mexican illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada. Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico, will perform on Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. on the 1300 block of the Promenade. Event details.

Related: Latinx-Owned Businesses in LA to Celebrate All Year Round

Coco Screening at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Oct. 31: If you’re looking for something different to do this year on Halloween night, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is featuring a free outdoor screening of Disney and Pixar’s film, Coco. Event details.

Los Angeles Día de los Muertos Events Happening This November

Día de Los Muertos at Kidspace Children's Museum
Nov. 1-6: Families are invited to join in the celebration of life at Kidspace Children's Museum by contributing either items from home, such as scanned photos or trinkets, or by making paper flowers, clay figures, or drawings at the museum. Personal items from home should represent the lives and interests of loved ones who are being honored. Please do not bring anything valuable, perishable, flammable, or breakable, and keep in mind that the museum cannot return your items. The Día de Los Muertos celebration continues through the weekend with the music of Las Colibri, an all-female ensemble that plays a unique interpretation of traditional mariachi music on Nov. 4. Técnica Arte y Folklore will thrill guests with the colorful twills and lively steps of contemporary dance in Mexican folklore on Nov. 6. Event details.

Día de los Muertos Family Festival
Nov. 1: Nov. First Fridays at the Catalina Museum for Art & History will be on Tues. this month to Celebrate Día de los Muertos. Families and friends of all ages are invited to experience a free celebration with the 4th Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival. The museum welcomes the colorful Mexican tradition celebrating life and death while honoring family members and friends who are no longer with us and will take place from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Enjoy an art project for the kids, local food vendors, cultural performances including live mariachi music followed by local band Sin Frontera, a performance by Ballet Folklorico Quetzal and more! The museum will be raffling off special Día de los Muertos Limited Edition Barbies during the event. Event details.

Día de los Muertos at Santa Monica Pier
Nov. 1 - Nov. 2:
Santa Monica Pier pays tribute to Día de los Muertos with a two-day public art installation inside the Merry-Go-Round building. Piergoers are invited to contribute to the community altar, as well as view altars created by local artists. There will also be an art installation called Letters of Life where guests are asked to share their favorite Pier memories, photos and anecdotes of family and friends who have passed. These will decorate the space via digital murals surrounding the Carousel over the course of the celebration. Event details.

16th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival at 24th St. Theatre
Nov. 2: This outdoor evening event will feature live music, performances, rides, craft vendors, and lots of food. All attendees are required to wear masks. Event details.

49th Annual Celebration of Día de los Muertos at Self Help Graphics & Art
Nov. 5: Join Self Help Graphics & Art for a family-friendly evening of live music, altars, street food vendors, DJs, a Día de los Muertos exhibition, and the Muertos Market featuring local artisans, artists, printmakers and designers. Event details.

Día de los Muertos Celebration at Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum in Compton
Nov. 5: The public is invited to view ofrendas honoring those who have passed, watch live performances, dine on Mexican cuisine, and shop from talented local artisans. Event details.

22nd Annual Día de los Muertos Family festival on Main Street Canoga Park
Nov. 6: Enjoy a day with the family that's filled with live music, vendors, a classic car show, Aztec dancers, folklorico, ofrendas, as well as arts and crafts. Event details.

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