Santa Monica will host crafts, performances and larger-than-life art installations during this Day of the Dead event at Third Street Promenade. Look out for paper mache sculptures by local artist Ricardo Soltero, who’s created pieces especially for Santa Monica. You’ll also find community altars, a Latinx pop-up market, free face painting for kids, and ballet folklórico and Aztec dancers.
Day of the Dead in Los Angeles is easily one of the city’s most vibrant holidays as far as local commemorations go. The celebration of the deceased isn’t about haunted spirits or prolonged mourning but instead offers a healthy perspective on the afterlife. Observers of the Mexican holiday (traditionally held after Halloween) visit loved ones’ gravestones, often as part of public gatherings. Typically you’ll find cultural affairs around the city with dance rituals, musical performances and plenty of calaca (skeleton) costumes. Get a taste of the holiday with some of our favorite Day of the Dead events, as well as the tastiest Mexican food in town.
Some of the Los Angeles celebrations might look a little different this year out of concern for immigrant communities in light of the recent ICE raids. One celebration in Long Beach has even chosen to cancel its event altogether. But for the most part, these local traditions are continuing, with communities choosing to come together and celebrate both their culture and resilience.
What is Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday in which family and friends come together to remember loved ones who have passed away and to guide their journey into the afterlife. The living visit graves and build altars (or ofrendas) and often decorate them with sugar skulls and marigolds, as well as the deceased’s favorite food, drinks and possessions.
When is Day of the Dead?
Day of the Dead begins Saturday, November 1, and ends Sunday, November 2, 2025, though there are many L.A. events taking place the weekend prior.
