Day of the Dead Día de Los Muertos California

California Events

California Day of the Dead Events

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is observed in many parts of Mexico and Latin America, and includes altars to welcome and honor the departed who are said to come back to walk among the living on November 1 and 2. It is now popular in the United States among Latinos and non-Latinos alike. Humorous skulls (calaveras) and skeletons going about worldly business are the dominant symbols of the celebration, which has roots in pre-Columbian as well as Spanish religious beliefs.

Day of the Dead 2026

ANTIOCH: Día de los Muertos Family Festival November 1, 2026, 1-5 p.m. at Nick Rodriguez Community Center. Take part in displaying your own personal altar while enjoying live dance and musical performances, youth crafts, food options from local markets and businesses, face painting, a Catrina contest, and much more! Free, antiochca.gov

AVALON: Día de los Muertos Family Festival November 1, 2026, 6-9 p.m. at Catalina Museum for Art & History. Annual Family Festival celebrates and honors life and death with kids' art project, local food vendors, tequila tasting, live music, cultural performances. Location: 217 Metropole Ave Avalon, CA. $, catalinamuseum.org

AZUSA: Dia de Los Muertos October 30, 2026, free, azusaca.gov

BERKELEY: Day of the Dead Pet Altar October 27, 2026, all day at North Branch Library. See the Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda for Pets

BALDWIN PARK: Day of the Dead happens annually on November 1 & 2, 2026. The Arts and Recreation Center (ARC) celebrates loved ones who have passed by decorating a community alter. FREE sugar skull crafts for all ages and live entertainment. An art exhibit is open Monday thru Thursday 4-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. baldwinpark.com

CAMARILLO: Día De Los Muertos Celebration October 12-November 3, 2026 at Camarillo Library

CANOGA PARK: Dia de los Muertos Festival November 1, 2026, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sherman Way (between Topanga Cyn. Blvd. & Canoga Ave.)
Sherman Way between Canoga Ave. & Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Canoga Park, CA
Free, mainstreetcanogapark.la
Canoga Park Neighborhood Council's Car Show, Lady Lowriders Car Club; Aztec dancers, street vendors, food, music and entertainment.

CARLSBAD: Día de Los Muertos October 31, 2026, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
City of Carlsbad's Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park Candlelight Tour Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Free, no reservations required, carlsbadca.gov

CATHEDRAL CITY: Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead November 2, 2026, 5-8 p.m. A Celebration Honoring the Memory of Loved Ones at Forest Lawn. Free, forestlawn.com/ events/ dia-de-los-muertos/

CHINO: Monster Mall Dia de los Muertos November 1, 2026, 12-6 p.m.
Chino Fairgrounds
5410 Edison Ave.
Chino, CA
Free, eventbrite.com
Face painting, ofrenda and shopping for Spooky, Goth, Punk, Alternative. Filled with sweets, treats, food, kids activities, and many more to be announced, Monster Mall is sure to satisfy all of your senses! Parking is FREE for this event, and it is Free to enter the shopping and food area. Come in costume, or just yourself, but bring the good seasonal vibes!

COLTON: Day of the Dead Community Altar Display October 28-November 2, 2026 at Hermosa Gardens Cemetery. Photos can be dropped off, then picked up in the office. They should be no larger than 8x10, please bring copies or non-valuable photos/frames. Not allowed: food, drink, valuable items, family heirlooms, open flames, decaying remains/ashes, weapons, etc. Location: 900 N. Meridian Avenue, Colton, CA. Free, coltonca.gov

DAVIS: Día de los Muertos Altar October 29-November 2, 2026 at Davis Cemetery and Arboretum. daviscemetery.org

DIXON: Dia de Los Muertos November 1, 2026, 1-5 p.m. Presented by Silveyville Cemetery District and Friends of Dixon Cemetery. Mariachi America performs, food, music, remembrance, folkloric dancers. cityofdixonca.gov

DOWNEY: Día de los Muertos Art Festival November 1, 2026, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. at Downey Theatre. Location: 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey, CA. Now in its 11th year, the free event expects more than 25,000 people who come to Downey Theatre and Civic Center to see this intriguing tribute to those who have passed. Free, downtowndowney.org

DUARTE: Día de los Muertos October 24, 2026, 6-9 p.m. City Hall Courtyard. accessduarte.com

ESPARTO: Día de los Muertos Arts and Crafts October 28, 2026, 2:30 p.m. at Esparto Regional Library Wintun Community Room. Celebrate the traditions of Dia de Muertos by decorating your own colorful sugar skull, a symbol of remembrance and honor for loved ones. Bring a photo of a loved one to add to the community altar! All materials are provided; just bring your creativity! Available while supplies last. yolocountylibrary.org

FONTANA: Dia de Los Muertos November 1, 2025, 3-6 p.m. at Jack Bulick Center. Location: 16581 Filbert Street, Fontana, CA. Free admission, fontana.org

FRESNO: Día De Los Muertos Cala Gala November 1, 2026, 5-9 p.m.
1630 Van Ness Ave., Fresno, CA
arteamericas.org
Arte Américas event includes
Artmaking, food and art vendors, face painters
Music from DJ Cruz
Procession from Arte Américas' original location at Warnor's Theater: 1424 Fulton St to 1630 Van Ness Ave.
Blessing and performance by Danza Yoztaltepetl
Performance by Los Vaqueros de Laton Folklórico
Banda La Orgullosa del Valle

FULLERTON: Day of the Dead Festival November 1, 2026, 12-4, p.m. at The Muck

GILROY: Día De Los Muertos October 24, 2026, 1-7 p.m.
Downtown Gilroy
Gilroy, CA
Free admission, laofrendafestival.com
Lowfrendas, Lucha Libre, Camino de Ofrendas, Live Music & Entertainment, Arts, Culture, Wellness Mercado, La Gran Ofrenda

HEALDSBURG: Día De Los Muertos October 25, 2026, 12-6 p.m.
Healdsburg Plaza, Matheson Street and Healdsburg Avenue Healdsburg, CA 95448 Corazón Healdsburg in partnership with the City of Healdsburg honor those that have passed in a festive celebration featuring live music, traditional dance performances, children's art activities, a car show, face painting, an ofrenda altar, and food vendors. ci.healdsburg.ca.us

HOLLYWOOD: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Día de los Muertos Festival October 24, 2026, 12-4 p.m.
$26.74-up, ladayofthedead.com
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Danny Lux, Trish Toledo, Tropa Magica, Los Shadows + 3 DJs

LA PUENTE: Día de Los Muertos November 7, 2026, 4-8 p.m. Held on Main Street in La Puente. Enjoy a night of music, classic cars, food, altares, and community fun. Entertainment by DJ Killah Noez 4-6 p.m. and The Flashbax 6-8 p.m. Hosted by the City of La Puente. Business sponsorships available, facebook.com/cityoflapuente/

LOS ANGELES: Carrera De Los Muertos 5K October 31, 2026 honors Day of the Dead. Join family and friends to remember loved ones that have passed in this rich cultural tradition which includes Olvera Street Run with route through Chinatown, art, music and a lot of fun. Location: Olvera Street, 845 N Alameda St Los Angeles, CA 90012 Register: losmuertos5k.com

LOS ANGELES: Day of the Dead Celebration October 25-November 2, 2026
Procession nightly procession at 7 p.m. | Festival Days October 25, 2026 & October 31-November 2, 2026
As part of the Day of the Dead celebration, this is a Pre-Colombian Novenario procession and includes blessings each night beginning at 7 p.m. Sponsors: El Pueblo Historical Monument, Olvera Street Merchants Location: El Pueblo Historical Monument 125 Paseo de la Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012. elpueblo.lacity.org

MENIFEE: Day of the Dead October 24, 2026, 4-8 p.m.
MSJC - Menifee Campus
28237 La Piedra Rd.
Menifee, CA
Free & free public parking available on campus, menifee.ca.gov/dayofthedead
Performances by Aryana, Xpired Band, Mariachi Azteca, Menifee Ballet Folklorico, Danza Azteca Xochipilli. Catrina Contest takes place at 6 p.m. Take in the colorful tapetes! These decorative carpets feature intricate designs that celebrate the artistry and traditions of Día de los Muertos. Communty Altars aka ofrendas pay tribute to the memories we carry with us.

MILPITAS: Day of the Dead / Sugar Skull Run-Walk-Roll October 24, 2026, 9-11 a.m. at Gill Memorial Park. Location: Santa Rita Dr. and Paseo Refugio, Milpitas, CA. Free, milpitas.gov

MISSION VIEJO: Día de Los Muertos October 24, 2026, 2-7 p.m. Location: Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Mariachi entertainment, Folklorico Dance performances, Free, cityofmissionviejo.org/ events/ dia-de-los-muertos

MORGAN HILL: Day of the Dead Celebration October 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

MURPHYS: Day of the Dead November 7, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Murphys Community Park
505 Algiers St.
Murphys, CA
Free, visitmurphys.com
Annual Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, is held 1st Saturday in November. Catrina contest, Art, food, sugar skulls, face painting and live music, as well as displaying altars and evening procession to the Catholic cemetery at the end of the day.

NOVATO: Dia de Los Muertos Celebration October 24, 2026, 3-6 p.m. at Civic Green. 901 Sherman Avenue
Honor and celebrate the memory of loved ones with a festive procession, community ofrenda, sugar skull decorating, magnet making, face painting, and a car ofrenda display. All ages are welcome! Free, novato.gov

OAKLAND: Days of the Dead Ceremony Oakland Museum of California October 25, 2026, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

OCEANSIDE: Day of the Dead October 25, 2026, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Downtown Oceanside. Thousands turn out for this annual celebration The Dead. The streets are filled with music, dancing, food and entertainment, along with chalk drawings and elaborate altars to honor loved ones who have passed. Location: Pier View Way at North Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA. Free admission, friendsofoceansidediadelosmuertos.org

ONTARIO: Día de Los Muertos Event & Procession November 1, 2026, 3-9 p.m. Procession at 6 p.m. at the R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand. Come dressed in your best Día de los Muertos-themed attire to enjoy a mariachi performance, Aztec & folklorico dance performances, crafts, face painting, food and refreshments. The procession will begin on the median at D St. and Euclid Ave. and conclude at the R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand. Location: R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand, 1265 S. Palmetto Ave., Ontario, CA. Free, ontarioca.gov

PALM SPRINGS - RANCHO MIRAGE: Day of the Dead at Sunnylands November 4-8, 2026
Sunnylands, 37977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Free, sunnylands.org
Daily programming and altars on display all days

PASADENA: Dia de Los Muertos October 30, 2026, 5-8 p.m. at Villa-Parke Community Center, 363 E. Villa Street, Pasadena, CA. Dance performances, arts and crafts, food available for purchase and "ofrendas," altars honoring the lives of the deceased. For more information, please call (626) 744-6530 or cityofpasadena.net

PETALUMA: El Día de Los Muertos Candlelight Procession and Closing Event October 24, 2026, 4-10 p.m.
St. Vincent Church to Downtown for celebration
Petaluma, CA
Free, eldiadelosmuertospetaluma.org
Past event included Candlelight Procession with Giant Puppets and Closing Event

SAN CLEMENTE: Day of the Dead celebration November 2, 2026, 2-5 p.m. at Max Berg Plaza Park. Join the community altar honoring those who have passed. A Plein Art contest takes place during the event. Location: 1100 Calle Puente, San Clemente, CA. Free, sanclemente.gov

SAN PEDRO: San Pedro Day of The Dead huge street festival with 2 time Grammy winner Cindy Shea on October 25, 2026, 3-9:30 p.m. in Downtown San Pedro. Free, discoversanpedro.org

SANTA CRUZ: Día de los Muertos Community Festival at Museum of Art and History October 24, 2026, 12-4 p.m.

SANTA FE SPRINGS: Fiestas de Octubre Estilo Jalisco en Santa Fe Springs October 17 & 18, 2026 in Los Nietos Park. Held in partnership with AJUA (Asociacion de Jaliscienses Unidos en Accion), celebrate Mexico's rich heritage with entertainment, traditional mariachi music, family-friendly activities, and an expanded marketplace featuring artisan vendors. Enjoy Mexican cuisine and an unforgettable weekend filled with culture, tradition, and community. Location: 11143 Charlesworth Road Santa Fe Springs, CA santafesprings.org | Fiestas Patrias

SANTA MARIA: Santa Maria Dia de los Muertos October 25, 2026, 1-7 p.m.
Allan Hancock College Campus
800 South College, Santa Maria, CA
Free, cityofsantamaria.org

SEASIDE: Oaxaca by the Sea September 27, 2026, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside, CA Free, facebook.com/ SeasideRecreation/

VACAVILLE: Día de Los Muertos November 7, 2026, 3-6 p.m. in Downtown Vacaville's Andrews Park.
Free, cityofvacaville.gov
Altar: Bring a photo of a loved one to add to the community altar. Candles and marigolds provided.
Live Entertainment: Live music and folklorico dance performances
Vendors: Food, beer & wine, crafts, artwork and gifts
Seating: Bring your own chairs or blankets

WHITTIER: Whittier Day of the Dead Car Show & Altars October 11, 2026, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free, whittieruptown.org
Uptown Whittier
13100 Philadelphia
Whittier, CA
The festival includes artists, vendors, crafts for kids, face painting, live entertainment and food trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring a memento or picture of their beloved family and friends who have passed.

WOODLAND: Dia de Los Muertos Woodland October 10, 2026, 2-8 p.m. United Methodist Church. Public is invited to this free celebration. Location: 620 North Street, Woodland, CA. Free, umcwoodland.org

Check out more potential celebrations!

RIVERSIDE: Day of the Dead 2026 Annual Riverside Day of the Dead November 7-8, 2026, proudly presented by @division9gallery, is set for Saturday November 7th 1pm -10pm and Sunday November 8th 11am -7pm in Downtown Riverside, Main between 10th & 12th Streets.

SACRAMENTO: Día de Los Muertos Fiesta California Museum

SAN DIEGO: Old Town San Diego's Día de los Muertos

SAN FRANCISCO: Day of the Dead Procession and Festival of Altars
dayofthedeadsf.org

SAN FRANCISCO: SOMArts' annual Day of the Dead Somarts.org

SAN JOSE: Day of the Dead
San Jose Museum of Art

SAN JOSE: Day of the Dead
St. James Park

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Día de los Muertos November 1, 2019 Procession | Festival at Mission Plaza
Free, community invited to participate

SAN RAFAEL: Day of the Dead Celebration
Procession, drumming, dancing...

SANTA ANA: Annual Noche de Altares | Bowers Museum Day of the Dead Festival

SANTA BARBARA: Día de Los Muertos Free Family Day Santa Barbara Museum of Art

SIMI VALLEY: Day of the Dead

VENTURA: Day of the Dead Celebration