Latino communities around the world will come together this weekend to celebrate Día de Los Muertos and honor loved ones who have passed.
In the days before Día de Los Muertos, communities decorated altars with marigold flowers, candles and offerings like the favorite foods of their departed friends and family members. The two-day celebration held on Nov. 1 and 2 annually honors their lives in a joyful celebration.
A Día de los Muertos altar with vibrant marigolds and framed family photographs creates a warm tribute to ancestors during a celebration in Santa Ana, Calif., on Nov. 2, 2024. The marigolds are traditionally used to guide the spirits back to the world of the living with their bright colors and distinct fragrance. Credit: QUINCI CARTMELL, Voice of OC
Orange County residents can join holiday celebrations this weekend through a variety of free celebrations including community festivals and other events held by libraries, parks and celebrities.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening in celebration of Día de Los Muertos.
Community Festivals
Roosevelt-Walker Community Center
A free Día de Los Muertos event held at Roosevelt Walker Community Garden on Nov. 1, 2023. The cempasúchil at the event were supplied by Jerome Community Garden, as well as other flower donations. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Honor passed loved ones during the annual Día de Los Muertos celebration at Roosevelt-Walker Community Center. People can enjoy face painting, art making, games and specialty workshops.
Registration is required.
When: November 1, 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 816 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (714) 573-3326
Noche de Altares
The Tito family celebrates their third year participating in Santa Ana’s annual Noche de Altares. Their abuelito Tito started the tradition before he passed. Tito started the family’s tradition of participating in Noche de Altares three years ago. He was a devoted Catholic and carpenter, who also enjoyed long distance cycling. Credit: JENNY LYNN, Voice of OC
Honor loved ones and celebrate Día de Los Muertos with altars, live entertainment, music, food vendors and other cultural performances at Noche de Altares in Santa Ana.
When: November 1, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Where: 4th Street and Broadway, Santa Ana, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (714) 273-3275 or nochedealtares@elcentroculturaldemexico.org
Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum
Join others for a cultural day and celebration at the Blas Aguilar Adobe Museum and Juaneño Achjhemen Cultural Center in San Juan Capistrano. The celebration will include altars, mariachi, folkloric dancing, basket weaving and museum tours alongside other cultural demonstrations.
When: November 1, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 31806 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (949) 751-7258
Libraries
Placentia Library
Librarians at the Placentia Library finish setting up the Día de Los Muertos community altar on Oct. 21, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Place photos of family members in remembrance at the Placentia Library’s community altar.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Irvine Heritage Park Library
The entrance to Heritage Park, where Irvine Heritage Park Library is located, on April 28, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Enjoy a Día de Los Muertos celebration at the Heritage Park Library featuring cultural music, crafts and other family-friendly festivities. Attendees will learn about meaningful traditions like marigolds and ofrendas.
When: November 1, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 14361 Yale Ave., Irvine, CA 92604
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 724-4444
Garden Grove Chapman Library
Enjoy a celebration of life and culture at the Garden Grove Chapman Library, including crafts and an Aztec dance performance. Children and adults are welcome to paint a skull and try Mexican hot chocolate, or champurrado.
When: November 1, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 9182 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, CA 92841
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 539-2115
Anaheim Haskett Library
Enjoy a screening of the 2014 movie “The Book of Life” at the Haskett Library in Anaheim.
When: November 2, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: 2650 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-5075
Parks
Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Enjoy making faux stained glass calaveras in celebration of Día de Los Muertos at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Attendees will hear a brief talk based on skulls while looking at real bones from mammals living in Orange County.
Registration is required.
When: November 1, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
Max Berg Plaza Park
Attend a Día de los Muertos Celebration with the San Clemente Library at Max Berg Plaza Park. Take the kids to enjoy a bilingual storytime and crafts. Attendees can also get a photo with a giant sugar skull.
When: November 1, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 1100 Calle Puente, San Clemente, CA 92672
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact the San Clemente Library at (949) 492-3493
Cemeteries
Fairhaven Memorial Park
Listen to live music or enjoy other cultural festivities like folkloric dancers and face painting at Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary’s Día de los Muertos festival.
When: November 1, 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Fairhaven Memorial Park at (714) 633-1442
El Toro Memorial Park
A woman sits next to a grave at El Toro Memorial Park in Lake Forest on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. Credit: CARISSA NELSON, Voice of OC
Visit the El Toro Memorial Park office to pick up small bouquets of marigolds, Pan de Muertos and a Día de los Muertos Craft kits for children.
Families are invited to build personal ofrendas on gravesites.
When: November 1, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 25751 Trabuco Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (949) 951-8244
Anaheim Cemetery
Gravestones at the Anaheim Cemetery on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Credit: CARISSA NELSON, Voice of OC
Visit the Anaheim Cemetery to get a themed craft, a small bouquet of marigolds and Pan de Muertos while supplies last.
When: November 1, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 1400 East Sycamore St., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (714) 535-4928
Santa Ana Cemetery
Marina Campos, 62, from Santa Ana poses next to her aunt’s altar at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary in Santa Ana on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Campos shares how her aunt took care for her since she was young. Credit: ARIELLE LEE, Voice of OC
Until supplies run out, pick up a children’s craft, Pan de Muertos and a small bouquet of marigolds at the Santa Ana Cemetery.
Ofrendas may also be constructed on the gravesites of loved ones.
When: November 1, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 1919 E. Santa Clara Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92705
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the cemetery at (714) 953-2959
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Visit Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress for a celebration with artwork, crafts, face painting and cultural performances like mariachi and folklorico dance. Attendees can also sketch Día de los Muertos altars in a group at the cemetery.
When: November 2, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: 4471 Lincoln Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Fairhaven Memorial Park at (855) 800-5296
Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park
Enjoy live mariachi music, a memorial service, traditional folk dancers and food at a festival at Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park and Mortuary.
When: November 2, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1625 Gisler Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (714) 540-5554
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.
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