Día de los Muertos in West LA 2026: Where to Celebrate, From the Pier to UCLA
When the Halloween candy is gone, the Westside’s most beautiful tradition begins. Día de los Muertos — the Day of the Dead, when families honor loved ones who have passed with ofrendas, marigolds, music, and memory — takes over the Santa Monica Pier for two days this weekend, with more celebrations at UCLA and across the city. Here’s where to experience it on the Westside, and how to take part respectfully.
The Headliner: Día de los Muertos at the Santa Monica Pier (Oct 31–Nov 1)
The Pier’s free, family-friendly celebration is the Westside’s signature Day of the Dead event, running Saturday, October 31 (11am–7pm) and Sunday, November 1 (12pm–5:30pm). The heart of it is the ofrenda display inside the historic Merry Go-Round building, where the 100-year-old carousel gets wrapped in marigolds and papel picado — and there’s a communal altar where you can add a photo of someone you’re remembering (bring a copy, not the original).
This year’s celebration pays tribute to Pedro Infante, the legendary singer and actor of Mexican cinema’s Golden Age — more than 60 films, over 350 recorded songs, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Sunday is the big day: a classic car cruise and face painting from noon, a traditional Aztec blessing at the pier’s West End at 1pm, Santa Monica Ballet Folklórico at 2pm, mariachi at 3pm, remarks from Mexico’s Consul General at 4pm, and live music to close. Art installations by Sylvia Sanchez run throughout. For everything else on the boards, see our complete Santa Monica Pier guide.
“The 100-year-old carousel gets wrapped in marigolds and papel picado — and the communal altar is open to everyone.”
Fowler Festival at UCLA (Sunday, Nov 1)
In Westwood, the Fowler Museum’s Día de los Muertos festival runs Sunday, November 1, from 1 to 4:30pm — free, though reservations are required, so book ahead. The Fowler’s take leans into art and craft traditions, and it pairs perfectly with the neighborhood: you’re a short walk from the Hammer Museum if you want to make Westwood a full arts afternoon.
Worth the Drive: LA’s Biggest Altars
If you want the full-scale civic version, two downtown celebrations run through November 2: Gloria Molina Grand Park’s self-guided altar walk — dozens of large-scale ofrendas by local artists, free and open day and night — and the Día de los Muertos festival at Olvera Street, the city’s oldest, with nightly processions in LA’s historic birthplace. And Hollywood Forever Cemetery hosts the region’s most famous ticketed celebration each year — a genuine bucket-list LA experience; check their site for this year’s details.
How to Take Part (Respectfully)
Día de los Muertos is a living tradition, not a costume party — a celebration of memory where the departed are welcomed back with their favorite foods, photos, and cempasúchil (marigolds), whose scent is said to guide spirits home. Visitors are warmly welcomed at all of these events; the etiquette is simple. Ask before photographing someone’s personal altar. Add to communal ofrendas only where invited (the Pier’s is open to all). And if you want to participate at home, a small photo, a candle, and a marigold from the farmers market is all an ofrenda needs to begin.
The Westsider Plan
Our ideal weekend: trick-or-treat Saturday afternoon (our Halloween guide has the full rundown), then Sunday at the Pier for the Aztec blessing at 1pm through the mariachi at 3pm — the two hours that capture the whole celebration — with the Fowler first if you reserve the early window. Golden hour on the pier, surrounded by marigolds, remembering the people we love: there’s no better way to start November in Los Angeles.
