Forest Lawn will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with in-person events at four of its locations, bringing the vibrant traditions of the Mexican holiday to Southern California. For each of the four events, marigolds, handcrafted Catrina and alebrijes (spirit guide) artworks and brightly colored community ofrendas (altars) will transform the Forest Lawn Memorial Parks into radiant and majestic spaces for remembrance.
Folklorico dance and mariachi music performances, arts & crafts, face painting, food, and refreshments will set a lively backdrop for the community to savor the holiday, light candles, place photographs and mementos on altars, and retell stories that keep the memories of generations of loved ones alive. The free, family-friendly events will take place on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 12:00–3:00 PM at Forest Lawn’s Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale locations, and on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 PM at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City.
Covina Hills is the largest event, with two giant alters and a Mexican open-air market featuring dozens of outside vendors selling authentic food, arts & crafts, and traditional holiday mementos. The Glendale event features some unique art on display, including Forest Lawn Museum and two current exhibitions “California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton” and “75 Years: Art Finds a Home at Forest Lawn,” and prismatic stained glass of The Last Supper and more on display in the Great Mausoleum.
Highlights for the Día de los Muertos celebrations include:
- Folklorico dance and mariachi music performances
- Bob Baker Marionette performances at Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale locations
- Community ofrendas (altars) presentations
- Handcrafted Catrina and alebrijes (spirit animal) art works
- Arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments’
- Food trucks and carts with delicious offerings
About Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead):
Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday, with roots in Mesoamerica, celebrated on
or around November 1 and 2 each year. During the holiday, family members honor the
memories of ancestors who have passed and welcome the return of their spirits by placing
loved ones’ photos, mementos, and favorite foods on altars; telling stories; and arranging
fragrant cempazúchitl (marigolds) to guide the spirits’ journeys. Hallmarks of the holiday
include calaveras (skulls); Catrinas (skeletal women) symbolizing the return of departed loved ones and reminders to be true to oneself and enjoy life; alebrijes (spirit animals) that guide spirits to the material world; and pan de muerto (bread of the dead); as well as folkloric dance and mariachi music performances.
“Forest Lawn’s vibrant Día de los Muertos events are opportunities to experience authentic
Mexican celebrations of life right here in Southern California,” said Rodolfo Saenz, Forest
Lawn’s Senior Vice President, Marketing. “Whether continuing generational family traditions or observing Day of the Dead for the first time, we look forward to welcoming our community to celebrate this meaningful holiday.”
