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

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

BALDWIN PARK: Day of the Dead  happens annually on November 1 & 2. 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 

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.

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/

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

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

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 

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

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

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

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

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/

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

 

Past events

CONCORD: Dia de Los Muertos Music Celebration November 3, 2024, 2-5 p.m.
Free, shoptheveranda.com
Special afternoon in honor of Dia de Los Muertos at The Veranda with music of Mariachi Mexicanisimo throughout Fountain Pavilion Park. 

CORONA: Día de los Muertos November 2, 2024, 12-10 p.m. at Civic Center Lawn. Music, food, dancing, costumes in this Mexican Halloween celebration. Free, coronaca.gov

DINUBA: Día de Los Muertos October 12, 2024, 6-10 p.m. at Alta Historical Society. Bar, food trucks, costume contest, auction and music.  Location: 275 South K Street, Dinuba, CA. $25 age 21+ only, (559) 591-2144

DUARTE: Día de los Muertos November 1, 2024, 6-9 p.m. City Hall Courtyard.  accessduarte.com

LA PUENTE: Día de Los Muertos November 2, 2024, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Held on Main Street in La Puente, and hosted by the City of La Puente. Business sponsorships available, facebook.com/cityoflapuente/

ONTARIO: Día de Los Muertos Community Altar
R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand, 1265 S. Palmetto Ave. Bring your offering to the Armstrong Community Center  ontarioca.gov
Altar Showcase; November 1, 2024 along Euclid Ave The Altar Showcase is an open-air exhibition that will take place during the City of Ontario's Dia de los Muertos Community Altar and Procession event. Community members can register for their own 10' x 10' space along the Euclid Ave. median to decorate. Participation is free, but space is limited. Dia de los Muertos Procession; Friday, November 1, 2024, 5-9 p.m. start at D St. and Euclid Ave. and conclude at the R. Jack Mercer Community Bandstand Come dressed in your best Dia de los Muertos-themed attire to enjoy a mariachi performance, dance performances, crafts, face painting and 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. ontarioca.gov/SpecialEvents

PASADENA:  Dia de Los Muertos November 1, 2024, 5-9 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

ROSEMEAD: October 5, 2024, 4-9 p.m. at Rosemead Park Location: 4343 Encinita Ave., Rosemead, CA. Live entertainment, community performances, trinket vendors, games, laser tag, moon bouncers, and arts & crafts. Food and snacks sold. Don't forget to grab a Fall Fiesta/Día de Los Muertos Passport Card at the City booth and visit all the trinket vendors, including Savannah Cemetery, to win a raffle prize. Free, cityofrosemead.org

SAN PEDRO: San Pedro Day of The Dead huge street festival with 2 time Grammy winner Cindy Shea on October 26, 2024

SANTA CRUZ: Día de los Muertos Community Festival  at Museum of Art and History October 26, 2024, 12-6 p.m.

SANTA MARIA: Santa Maria Dia de los Muertos October 27, 2024, 12-4 p.m. Veterans' Memorial Community Center 313 West Tunnell Street Santa Maria, CA Free, cityofsantamaria.org City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department

SANTA MONICA: Día de los Muertos October 26, 2024, 2-8 p.m. on Third Street Promenade.

VACAVILLE: Día de Los Muertos November 2, 2024, 4-8 p.m. in Downtown Vacaville's Andrews Park. Traditional altar, music, dance performances and food. Bring a picture of your loved one. Free, cityofvacaville.gov

WHITTIER: Whittier Day of the Dead Car Show & Altars October 13, 2024, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Free, facebook.com/pg/CasitadelPueblo13100/
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.

YORBA LINDA: Dia de Los Muertos November 1, 2024, 4-7 p.m. at Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center. Musical entertainment from Nathalia Palis. Food trucks, crafts, photos of loved ones and more. Free, yorbalindaca.gov

 

Past events

 

SANTA FE SPRINGS: Día de Los Muertos  
Heritage Park
Free, santafesprings.org
At the event you will experience the key elements of Día De Los Muertos that revolves around ofrendas (altars) or offerings. Enjoy musical entertainment, altar displays, artisan vendors, and sugar skull crafts, $10 per skull. Decorating is geared for those 8 years of age and older. Registration for sugar skull decorating is required.

Feel free to look up these past events and let us know of any updates so we can add them to the current list. Thanks

CAMARILLO: Día De Los Muertos Celebration  Mountain Funeral Home

CANOGA PARK: Annual Día de los Muertos Family Festival 
Sherman Way between Topanga Blvd. and Canoga Ave.
Cost: Free, mainstreetcanogapark.la
Community art festival features musical entertainment, Car Show, Chalk Artists, Altars and Vendors galore, plus  international foods, calaveras, artists' exhibits, altar displays, a children's art pavilion,.

CARLSBAD: Día de Los Muertos November 1-2, 2025
City of Carlsbad's Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park Candlelight  Tour Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane,  $20 reservations required, carlsbadconnect.org.

DAVIS: Día de los Muertos Festival Celebration  Davis Cemetery and Arboretum

ESPARTO: Día de los Muertos Arts and Crafts 

FRESNO: Día De Los Muertos Art Exhibition Luna Y La Muerta   $5, arteamericas.org
 Arte Américas. Altars and Art Work featured in the gallery. Guests interact with altars, murals, artwork and larger than life 3D sculptures honoring the memories of the deceased whose lives impacted the San Joaquin Valley community and beyond.

GILROY: Altars for Día De Los Muertos Altars, exhibit  Gilroy Center for the Arts
7341 Monterey Rd.
Gilroy, CA
Free admission, gilroyartsalliance.com
Arts & Crafts Vendors, Face Painting and Sugar Skulls, Youth Folkloric Dancing and Youth Mariachis. Presented by the Gilroy Arts Alliance at the Center for the Arts

HEALDSBURG:  Día De Los Muertos 
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, an ofrenda altar, and much more. ci.healdsburg.ca.us/911/Da-De-Los-Muertos

FULLERTON: Day of the Dead Festival 

HOLLYWOOD: Hollywood Forever Cemetery Día de los Muertos Festival 
$ , ladayofthedead.com
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA

INDIO: Día de Los Muertos Fundraiser Dinner
Includes Dinner, Tequila, Entertainment, Music, Art, Silent Auction. Location: Coachella Valley History Museum, 82616 Miles Ave, Indio, CA 92201  $90, cvhm.org

LOS ANGELES: Carrera De Los Muertos 5k   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/events/los-angeles/

LOS ANGELES: Day of the Dead Celebration 
Procession  nightly procession at 7 p.m. 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 

MARYSVILLE: Yuba Sutter Arts Día de Los Muertos 
Yuba Sutter Mall
1215 Colusa Avenue
Yuba City, CA
Free, shopyubasuttermall.com | facebook.com/yubasuttermall
 Day of the Dead Celebration, Altars Ofrendas, Arts & Crafts, Music, Performances and more!

MILL VALLEY: Día de los Muertos Altar Making 

MODESTO: Día de Los Muertos Celebration  Altares, and a procession through downtown 

MURPHYS: Day of the Dead 
Main Street & Murphys Community Park
Downtown
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.

OAKLAND: Days of the Dead Ceremony   Oakland Museum of California OMCA

OXNARD: Sugar Skull, the Musical  

PALM SPRINGS - RANCHO MIRAGE: Day of the Dead at Sunnylands 
37977 Bob Hope Drive
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
sunnylands.org
(760) 202-2254

PASADENA: Old Pasadena Día De Los Muertos 

PASADENA: City's Día De Los Muertos at Villa-Parke 

PETALUMA: El Día de Los Muertos 
Petaluma Fairgrounds
175 Fairgrounds Drive
Past event included Candlelight Procession with Giant Puppets and Closing Event Petaluma Fairgrounds 

PLEASANTON: Hispanic Cultural Celebration 

REDWOOD CITY: Día de Muertos 
Courthouse Square
2200 Broadway
Redwood City, CA
Free, redwoodcity.org
casacirculocultural.org/dia-de-muertos
Casa Circulo Cultural, with the San Mateo County History Museum and the Friends of the Library, and Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, host the Annual Celebration of Day of the Dead- Día de los Muertos. There will be music, dancing, an elaborate altars contest, a procession down Broadway, food court, vendors, free activities for children and a community Chalk Art Mural that everyone is encouraged to participate in.

RIVERSIDE: Day of the Dead 

SACRAMENTO: Día de Los Muertos Fiesta  California Museum

SAN DIEGO: Carrera De Los Muertos 5k   honors Day of the Dead. Join family and friends to remember loved ones that have passed. Location: Embarcadero Park South. Registration: losmuertos5k.com/events/san-diego/

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 

STOCKTON: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Saturday,  Address: 111. S Sutter St. Parking lot, and Sutter St.@ Market St. (street closure)
Entertainment: Car Show | Food Trucks | Arts & Crafts | Altar Exhibits | Face Painters | Aztec Dancers | Folklorico Dancing | Catrina Pageant | Live Bands | Kids Corner    
Hosted by Visit Stockton and Mexican Heritage Center & Gallery, Inc. mexicanheritagecenter.org

VENTURA: Day of the Dead Celebration 

WASCO: Día de Los Muertos Festival 
Downtown Wasco
7th Street
Wasco, CA
facebook.com/downtownwasco
Enjoy special performances by Mariachi Toros de Mexico | Ballet Hauztecalli | Altar Competition with prizes | Art Exhibits | Food
  Mento Buru  as part of the 4th annual Wasco Día de Los Muertos Celebration!
downtownwasco@gmail.com / 

WATSONVILLE: Day of the Dead Family Crafts

WHITTIER: Casita del Pueblo Los Mueurtes Art & Music Festival   casitadelpueblo.org

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.