Numerous cities and neighborhoods offer places to remember your deceased loved ones in a festive way. Here are some of the places where you can participate in the rich Mexican Day of the Dead tradition.
Olvera Street
Day of the Dead events on Olvera Street have been held for nearly 40 years. Daytime activities, including entertainment, face painting and altars, will begin at 11 a.m. with a colorful novenario procession at 7 p.m.
Town center
630 W. 5th St. Sugar skull decorating, Aztec dance performances, puppet decorating, storytelling, arts and crafts, photo opportunities with La Catrina Andante, ofrenda making and more at the Central Library at 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. It is open to participants of all ages.
Gloria Molina Grand Park, the closing celebration of Dia de los Muertos, features a lineup from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. featuring The Negrete Family, the viral family band that blends banda roots with pop flair; DJ Butchona brings corridors and banda to a family house party where you can come as yourself; Lxs Cochinxs serves Cumbia Cochina with chicha, merengue, punk and rave rhythms.
Families can participate in Native Mexican ribbon braiding with Ponte Your Monos, sugar skull decorating with Kalaveritas Y Mas, face painting with Scribble Faces, and paper weaving with Ana Reyes. As night falls, candlelight and votive offerings will illuminate the park.
Los Angeles Zoo
At the Los Angeles Zoo, patrons can bring a picture of their deceased pet to be displayed on a community altar.
For the sixth consecutive year, the Los Angeles Zoo is partnering with the Plaza de la Raza Cultural Center for Arts and Education to bring Beloved Pet Ofrenda back to the Zoo. It is designed to honor the memory of beloved animal friends who have passed away, and all Zoo guests are welcome to participate. Staff from the Zoo’s Learning and Engagement team will be on hand from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help create the altar.
plateau park
The Northeast Los Angeles Día de los Muertos Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Square Museum, 3510 Pasadena Blvd. Sponsored by the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Council, this free community event features traditional altars (ofrendas), Aztec dancers, live mariachi music, face painting and local food vendors.
glendale
Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1712 S. Glendale Ave. from noon to 3 p.m. will celebrate with marigold, Catrina and spirit guide artwork, community altars, puppets, folkloric and mariachi performances, arts and crafts, face painting.
pasadena
At Boston Court Pasadena, 70 N. Mentor Ave., there are two performances Sunday at Mariachi Tierra Mia, one at 4 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m.
canoga park
Canoga Park’s 26th Annual Día de los Muertos Festival offers healing through memory from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sherman Road between Topanga Canyon Boulevard. and Canoga Ave. It will feature dance performances, live music, a classic car show, family arts and crafts, and community altars.
Middle City
on West Adams Boulevard. Fairfax Ave. and Hauser Blvd. In between, Mid-City has its own community festival. Family-friendly with live music, food trucks, art gallery, workshops, community altar and more. Live Music and Performances: Acoustic sets, Recuerdos stage and Super Sonidero stage.
Santa Monica
At the Santa Monica Pier from 12:00 to 17:30 at the Merry Go-Round building and the West End. This year’s celebration will honor Pedro Infante and feature a classic car ride, face painting, Aztec blessing and parade, Folkloric Ballet, mariachi music and a community event.
Long Beach
Long Beach’s Day of the Dead festivities are returning to their original location at Rainbow Lagoon, 400 E. Shoreline Dr. They begin at 1 p.m. with the duo Las Chicas Tristes and include Millikan’s Ballet Folklorico Program, Mariachi Divas, Tiancho and Selena tribute band Como La Flor Band until 7 p.m.
Gardena
Celebrate life, honor loved ones, and experience the beauty of this meaningful tradition with an evening of culture, community, and remembrance at the Gardena City Hall Complex, 1700 W. 162nd St., from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Beautiful altar displays with live entertainment, food, crafts, games and a Catrina & Catrín contest. Bring a photo of a loved one for the community altar.
Downey
There will be arts and crafts, a chalk walk, face painting, art exhibits, car altars and more at Brookshire and Firestone Blvds from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Decorate your own sugar skull, eat from food trucks, buy something from the mercado, visit the community altar, or go see live entertainment.
Ontario
There will be a Catrina pageant with Adeliade Pilar, celebrating Día de los Muertos with live entertainment and elegant costume design, traditional makeup and cultural storytelling, at the Ontario Museum of History and Art, 225 S. Euclid St., from 3 to 6 p.m. We expect participation from all ages.
The celebration will run from 6 to 9 p.m. at the R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand at Euclid Boulevard and C Street, where community members can gather for the Día de los Muertos parade. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite Día de los Muertos attire.
Santa Ana
The Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., is celebrating a free festival with live music, dance performances, face painting and family art projects from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Orange County Heritage Museum, 3101 W. Harvard St., 5 to 9 p.m., live entertainment, community altars, artisan crafts and historical tours.
Fullerton
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Día de los Muertos Festival continues from noon to 4 p.m. with live music, family fun, kids’ arts and crafts, local artisans and more. 1201 W. Malvern Blvd.