Hollywood Forever's Noche de Los Muertos
Día de Los Muertos takes place on Nov. 1 and 2, but festivities kick off in Los Angeles before even November begins. Prior to commemorating the lives of loved ones who have passed at home, consider celebrating the holiday with community-wide events, special dinners and more below.
Website/ 6400 Pacific Coast Hwy 90803
Hosted by Unidos Community Events, there will be the 2nd & PCH Día de Los Muertos Festival on Oct. 28 from 4 to 8 p.m. Families will get to enjoy crafts, mariachi and folklórico dance performances and more. Guests are encouraged to dress up.
Website/ 900 W Olympic Blvd 90015
From Oct. 20 to Nov. 4, don’t miss out on the chance to experience chef Kevin Luzande’s Día de Los Muertos celebration at the Agave Library at Sendero at The Ritz-CArlton, Los Angeles. From the 24th floor, guests will be immersed in an intimate dining room enlivened by an ofrenda with more than 3,000 marigold flowers, candles, Calaveras and Catrina sculptures. The six-course dinner will include traditional dishes like El Salvadorian Tahitian Squash Tamale; specialty cocktails and Código tequila. Reservations are now open.
Website/ 8440 Sunset Blvd 90069
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, Casa Madera’s Casa de Las Almas will celebrate Hanal Pixán. Make a reservation to enjoy food specials like pumpkin hummus and wagyu short rib enchilada and cocktails like the Santa Muerte with strawberry peppercorn-infused Flecha blanco and the Calavera with Flecha blanco, mezcal, coconut, lime, honey mint cordial and black agave.
Website/ 217 Metropole Ave 90704
On Nov. 1 at 6 p.m., the Catalina Museum for Art & History will host its fifth annual Día de Los Muertos Family Festival. The evening will feature kids’ art projects, tequila tastings, local food vendors, live music, cultural showcases, an ofrenda and art contest and more.
Website/ 3rd Street Promenade 90401
For a weekend option, downtown Santa Monica will host its Día de los Muertos Community Celebration on Oct. 28 from 2 to 9 p.m. The family-friendly festivities will include live entertainment, community altars, a pop-up market, La Catrina public art sculptures and the unveiling of Ricardo Solero’s new alebrije sculpture.
Website/ 6000 Santa Monica Blvd 90038
The ultimate Día de Los Muertos event takes place at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Oct. 28. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $35, you can visit for the Día de Los Muertos portion of the celebration, which will feature crafts, food, local artists, the children’s plaza, more than 150 Aztec dancers and performers across four stages. Then, Noche de Los Muertos will take place from 5 p.m. to midnight for $60. There will be beats by Bomba Estereo, dancing, a vinyl party from Mexico City and more.
Website/ 8450 W 3rd St 90048
From Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, Toca Madera’s Noches de Los Muertos will commemorate Día de Los Muertos with specialty cocktails Santa Muerte and Calavera, which are also being served at Casa Madera. Reservations are open.
Website/ Various
Vallarta has an ofrenda bundle to make holiday preparations seamless. Available between Oct. 23 and Nov. 2, it includes a five-pack of pan demuerto, a candle and a marigolds bunch.
If you’re looking to celebrate Día de Los Muertos with the community, be sure to consider these events.
Photography by: Courtesy of Hollywood Forever
