Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles 2026: Family Celebrations Beyond Forest Lawn
Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles is one of those traditions that surprises kids in the best way. They expect something spooky, and instead they find towering altars covered in orange marigolds, grandmothers' photos surrounded by pan dulce, folklórico skirts spinning like pinwheels, and faces painted as smiling calaveras. It's a celebration of love and memory, and LA does it on a scale few cities in the world can match.
Our city hosts Day of the Dead events in nearly every corner, from Downtown and Boyle Heights to the San Fernando Valley and Long Beach. We already have a separate guide to Forest Lawn's free Día de los Muertos 2026 celebrations, so this guide covers everything else: the big festivals, the quieter community altars, and the kid-friendly workshops worth putting on your family calendar this fall.
What Is Día de los Muertos? A Kid-Friendly Guide
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition with deep Indigenous roots that families observe around November 1 and 2. The idea is beautifully simple: once a year, the spirits of loved ones who have died come home to visit, and the living welcome them with their favorite foods, music, stories and flowers.
It's not Mexican Halloween, even though the two land on the calendar at the same time. Halloween plays with fear, while Día de los Muertos is about remembering people with joy. If your kids watched Coco, they already have a head start on the big idea.
The Ofrenda (Altar)
An ofrenda is a home altar built to welcome a loved one back. Families add photos, candles, water for a thirsty traveler, the person's favorite snacks and small objects that tell their story, like a baseball cap, a deck of cards or a favorite song.
Marigolds (Cempasúchil)
The bright orange cempasúchil flower is the signature bloom of the holiday. Its strong scent and glowing color are said to guide spirits home, which is why you'll often see petal paths leading up to an altar.
Sugar Skulls (Calaveras de Azúcar)
Sugar skulls are decorated candy skulls, sometimes with a name written across the forehead. They're playful, not scary, and decorating one is one of the most popular kids' activities at LA celebrations.
Papel Picado
Papel picado is colorful tissue paper cut into delicate patterns and strung like flags. When it flutters in the breeze, it represents the wind and the fragile, fleeting nature of life. It's also surprisingly fun to make with a folded sheet of tissue paper and safety scissors.
Pan de Muerto and Calaveritas
Pan de muerto is a soft, slightly sweet bread decorated with dough "bones" on top. Calaveritas literarias are short, funny poems that playfully imagine someone meeting La Catrina, the elegant skeleton lady. Older kids love writing them about their friends and teachers.
Parent tip: Before you go, ask your kids who they would put on an ofrenda. A grandparent, a beloved pet, even a favorite author all count. It turns a festival visit into a meaningful family conversation.
Día de los Muertos Los Angeles Events for Families in 2026
Every event below was checked on the organizer's official website for 2026. Details can change, so confirm before you head out, especially for ticketed events and outdoor celebrations.
Gloria Molina Grand Park
200 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Exhibition: Saturday, October 24 through Monday, November 2, 2026, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Opening Celebration: Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closing Celebration: Sunday, November 1, 2026, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: Free, no ticket needed
Downtown's Civic Center turns into an open-air gallery of 17 large ofrendas created by artists and community groups, all curated by altarista Consuelo G. Flores around the 2026 theme "The Power of One." Families can wander the altars at their own pace, read the stories behind each one and leave a framed photo, memento or note at the community altar.
The opening day brings live music, a processional and blessing, face painting, sugar skull workshops and wellness activities. The closing celebration adds more music plus hands-on crafts like sugar skull decorating, face painting, paper weaving and Indigenous Mexican ribbon braiding. It's free, stroller-friendly and easy to pair with a stop at one of the Grand Avenue museums.
Parent tip: Take Metro to the Civic Center/Grand Park station on the B or D Line to skip the parking hunt. If you drive, the park lists paid parking at Music Center garages for $10 per vehicle.
El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Olvera Street
125 Paseo de la Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Sunday, October 25 through Monday, November 2, 2026
10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
Price: Free to attend; face painting is extra
Olvera Street's nine-night festival is one of the most traditional ways to experience the holiday in LA. The highlight is the nightly Novenario procession, led by an Indigenous Aztec group with incense and blessings, followed by Aztec dancers and "Living Muertos" dressed as skeletons. The procession ends at the plaza kiosk, where a merchant family or community member is honored each night.
Along the historic street, families will find community altars, daytime entertainment on select days and a nightly theatrical performance of La Danza de la Muerte at 6 p.m. Organizers also list free sweet bread and beverages for guests at the nightly ceremony.
Parent tip: Arrive in the late afternoon, grab taquitos along the marketplace, visit the altars while it's still light, then stay for the evening procession. Union Station is just across the street for an easy Metro trip.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
501 N. Main St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Sunday, October 25, 2026
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free with RSVP
Right next door to Olvera Street, LA Plaza's Family Day is built with kids in mind. Families can join three hands-on workshops: painting papier-mâché calavera masks, making flower crowns and boutonnieres, and bundling fragrant herbs. Live music and dance performances honor the ancestors throughout the afternoon.
Kids can collect stamps at each workshop for a special giveaway, which is a clever way to keep little ones moving from table to table. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
Parent tip: RSVP ahead. Walk-ins are welcomed only as space allows, and this one tends to be popular. Pair it with Olvera Street on the same day for a full afternoon Downtown.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Saturday, October 24, 2026
Noon to midnight
Entry windows: 12 to 4 p.m., 4 to 7 p.m., or 7 to 11 p.m.
Ages: Children under 5 free; ages 5 and up need a ticket
Now in its 27th year, Hollywood Forever's celebration is the biggest and busiest Día de los Muertos event in the city. The 2026 theme is "All Under One Sky / Bajo un Mismo Cielo," and the day includes a massive altar exhibition, a ceremonial procession, Aztec and folklórico dancers, an art exhibit in the cathedral, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors and a Children's Plaza. Musical headliners for 2026 include DannyLux, Trish Toledo, Tropa Mágica and Los Shadows.
Tickets are sold by admission window through the organizer's official ticketing link, and you may stay past your window once you're inside. Current ticket prices are posted on the official ticketing page, so please check there before you go. All sales are final, and the event runs rain or shine. Outside food and drinks and pets are not allowed.
Parent tip: With little kids, book the noon to 4 p.m. window. The crowds and volume build after dark. Hollywood Forever lists several paid parking structures nearby on Van Ness Avenue and Gower Street, and ticket buyers receive parking details by email before the event.
Procession: Mariachi Plaza, 1831 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Celebration: Outdoors on Anderson Street next to Self Help Graphics & Art, 1300 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90033
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Procession 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.; celebration 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: Free for all ages; free tickets available through the organizer
Self Help Graphics helped spark LA's modern Día de los Muertos movement back in the 1970s, and its celebration still feels like a true neighborhood homecoming. In 2026, the Boyle Heights arts center hosts a block-party-style celebration just outside its building, beginning with a procession from Mariachi Plaza.
Expect altars, a Muertos market with local artists and food vendors, art workshops, face painting, live music and dance. It's free and open to all ages, though the organizer asks guests to grab free tickets in advance.
East Los Angeles Library, Community Room
4837 E. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31, 2026
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Price: Free, all materials provided
This is our favorite hidden gem for crafty families. Every Saturday in October, Self Help Graphics teaching artists lead a free Día de los Muertos workshop for all ages. Each week includes papel picado and paper marigold crafts, plus a special project: stamp collages, calavera masks, memory posters, mini "living candle" paintings and candle decorating.
Parent tip: Each workshop has its own registration link on the Self Help Graphics page. Sign up early, since free craft sessions fill fast.
Calvary Cemetery
4201 Whittier Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Saturday, October 24, 2026
12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: No admission fee listed
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles' Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries hosts a bilingual celebration at this historic East LA cemetery. The day opens at noon with Mass, a procession and the blessing of the altars. At 1:30 p.m., a cultural celebration begins with music, children's activities and folklórico dancers.
Parent tip: This one feels more like a family gathering than a festival. It's a lovely fit if you'd like your kids to see how many LA families honor loved ones where they're actually laid to rest.
Día de los Muertos in the San Fernando Valley
Valley families don't need to fight the 101 for a meaningful celebration. Two events are confirmed for 2026.
Recreation Park
208 Park Ave.
San Fernando, CA 91340
Saturday, October 24, 2026
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: Free
The City of San Fernando's festival is a relaxed, hometown-style celebration with ofrenda displays, an art exhibit, arts and crafts, live performances, and food and artisan vendors. Kids ages 5 and up can enter the Catrín and Catrina costume contest, so this is a great excuse to go all out with the face paint and flower crowns.
San Fernando Mission Cemetery
11160 Stranwood Ave.
Mission Hills, CA 91345
Saturday, November 7, 2026
12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Price: No admission fee listed
Archbishop José H. Gomez presides over the noon Mass, procession and blessing of the altars at this large Valley celebration. The cultural program begins at 1:30 p.m. with music, children's activities and folklórico dancers. Families who can't attend can watch the livestream through the Archdiocese's Día de los Muertos page.
Día de los Muertos in Long Beach
Heading south? Long Beach has two family-friendly options this year.
Rainbow Lagoon Park
400 E. Shoreline Dr.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Sunday, November 1, 2026
1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Price: Free
After last year's parade was canceled, the City of Long Beach is bringing its celebration back in a festival format at Rainbow Lagoon in Downtown Long Beach. The city lists cultural performances, vendors, food trucks and a community resource fair. It's an easy add-on to a weekend at the waterfront or the nearby Aquarium of the Pacific.
Museum of Latin American Art
628 Alamitos Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90802
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Time: To be announced
Price: To be announced
MOLAA's 2026 calendar lists a Day of the Dead program on October 25, with a chance to learn about the elements of a traditional ofrenda and write your own calavera poem. As of our deadline, the museum had not posted the schedule or pricing, so check the museum's page or email MOLAA before you go.
Forest Lawn's Free Día de los Muertos Celebrations
Forest Lawn hosts some of the most popular free, family-friendly Day of the Dead events in Southern California, with celebrations at several of its parks. We cover all the 2026 dates, locations and kid activities in our dedicated guide, Forest Lawn Día de los Muertos 2026: Free Family Celebrations Across Southern California.
Cemetery Etiquette: How to Visit Respectfully With Kids
Many Día de los Muertos events in Los Angeles take place in working cemeteries, where families are visiting the actual graves of people they love. A quick talk before you arrive helps kids enjoy the color and music while showing respect.
Walk on paths, not on graves or grave markers.
Look at altars with your eyes, not your hands, unless a sign invites you to add something.
Ask before photographing people, especially families gathered at a gravesite.
Keep voices at a friendly volume near family plots and chapels.
Leave candles, flowers and food offerings exactly where you found them.
Pack out all your trash, and stick together in the crowds.
Parent tip: Explain that the smiling skeletons are not meant to be scary. They're a reminder that everyone is equal in the end, and that death is a natural part of life. Kids often find that comforting, not creepy.
How to Make a Simple Ofrenda at Home
You don't need a festival to celebrate. Building a small family ofrenda is a gentle, hands-on way to talk about loved ones, including pets.
Pick a spot: a bookshelf, side table or a stack of sturdy boxes covered with a bright cloth makes a simple two- or three-level altar.
Add photos of the people or pets you want to remember.
Include marigolds, real or paper. Tissue-paper marigolds are an easy craft for little hands.
Set out a glass of water, a little salt and a favorite snack or treat for each person you're honoring.
Use battery-operated LED candles if you have little ones or pets around.
Hang homemade papel picado across the top.
Add small keepsakes that tell each person's story, and invite everyone to share a favorite memory.
Parent tip: Keep your ofrenda up from late October through November 2, and let kids add a drawing or a letter each day. You can pick up tissue paper, face paint and flower crowns at the shops in our Los Angeles costume shops and Halloween stores guide.
More Fall Fun for LA Families
Día de los Muertos lands right in the middle of LA's busiest season for family outings. For even more ideas, check out our 89 best family-friendly Halloween events in Los Angeles, our roundup of the best things to do with kids in Los Angeles in October, and our huge list of pumpkin patches and fall festivals. When everyone is ready for a cozy night in, our list of Halloween movies for kids is a great place to find your next family movie night pick.
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Takeaway
Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles is a gift for families. In one short season, your kids can see world-class altars at Grand Park, walk beside a candlelit procession on Olvera Street, paint a calavera mask at LA Plaza, and craft paper marigolds at a free library workshop.
Choose one big festival and one quieter community event, build a little ofrenda at home, and let the kids lead the storytelling. It's a tradition that teaches something many of us struggle to explain: the people we love stay with us as long as we keep remembering them.
Día de los Muertos Los Angeles FAQs
When is Día de los Muertos in 2026?
Día de los Muertos is traditionally observed on November 1 and 2. In 2026, those dates fall on a Sunday and Monday. Many Los Angeles events start in late October, and some, like Self Help Graphics and San Fernando Mission Cemetery, take place on Saturday, November 7.
What are the best free Día de los Muertos events in Los Angeles for kids?
Grand Park's ofrenda exhibition, the Olvera Street festival, LA Plaza's Family Day (with RSVP), Self Help Graphics' celebration and October workshops, the San Fernando Cultural Festival and the Long Beach festival are all free in 2026. Forest Lawn's celebrations are free as well.
Is Hollywood Forever's Día de los Muertos good for young children?
It can be, especially if you choose the noon to 4 p.m. entry window and head straight for the Children's Plaza. Kids under 5 are free, while ages 5 and up need a ticket. Expect big crowds and loud music later in the day, so plan an early exit with toddlers.
Is it okay for non-Mexican families to celebrate Día de los Muertos?
Yes. LA's public celebrations welcome everyone. The key is to come to learn and participate respectfully: listen to the stories behind the altars, follow organizers' guidance, and avoid treating the holiday like a costume party.
Can my kids wear sugar skull face paint?
Yes. Calavera face painting is a common and welcomed part of many public celebrations, and several 2026 events offer it on-site. Keep designs festive and avoid adding horror-style gore, which misses the spirit of the holiday.
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