The sad news is that because of the pandemic Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s grounds are closed for its annual Día de Los Muertos Festival.
The good news is that they are having a Día de los Muertos event online today at noon! It’s hosted by Fernanda Kelly and includes performances by David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez of Los Lobos, Buyepongo, and Tropa Magica.
Beach Fossils- Down the Line
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (10/26-10/29/17)-
Thursday
Coaxials Arts and Cathode Cinema are hosting the Super Spooktacular Halloween Show– with “spooky and weird” films, live performances and more
The Greek Theatre is showing Shaun of the Dead, with all attendees getting a free t-shirt (while they last)
The Blank Tapes are opening for Delicate Steve at the Moroccan Lounge plus King Tuff are playing a DJ set
Busdriver is playing with jazz ensemble The Underground Railroad at Zebulon
Friday
FIGat7th is having an all day (til 8pm) Day of the Dead Celebration, with sugar skull face painting, tequila tasting, and live DJs
For The Charlie Factory at The Standard Downtown LA, artist Charlie le Mindu is hosting a series of nights with different performers- tonight it is Peaches and Black Cracker
Rozwell Kid and Mylets are opening for The World is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die at The Echo
Miss Kittin, Keoki and more are playing Sex Cells’ night at Resident
Thievery Corporation are playing at the Hollywood Palladium
Saturday
For the 18th Annual Dia de los Muertos Festival at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, there will be face painting, altars, a market, food, and performances by musicians Aterciopelados, Cuco, Ximena Sariñana, Very Be Careful and La Chamba
Grand Park begins it’s Día de los Muertos celebrations this evening with Noche de Ofrenda, a celebration that includes traditional dance and prayer led by the local indigenous community, as well as Los Angeles-based poets and musicians (altars are up through Nov 5)
Roky Erickson is playing at The Roxy with Death Valley Girls opening
For The Charlie Factory at The Standard Downtown LA, artist Charlie le Mindu is hosting a series of nights with different performers- tonight it is Kembra Pfahler from The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black
Broken Social Scene are playing at The Wiltern with The Belle Game opening
Saturday and Sunday
The Growlers are hosting a music festival at the LA Waterfront in San Pedro with a huge list of great performers including-Beach Fossils, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Girl Talk, Danny Brown, Dan Auerbach, La Luz, Rostam, Frankie Cosmos, Beth Ditto, Butthole Surfers, and many more
Heritage Square Museum is hosting Halloween & Mourning Tours where you can learn about death and mourning etiquette during the Victorian era
Sunday
LACMA is hosting Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day: Celebration and Film Screening– with short films, a Q & A with veteran filmmakers, and a reception to follow (free)
It’s the last day of Stan Lee’s Comic Con at the LA Convention Center (runs from Friday)
Slowdive are playing at The Wiltern with Cherry Glazerr opening
Livingmore are playing with Nightgown, Rival Cavves, and Ever So Android at The Echo
For The Charlie Factory at The Standard Downtown LA, artist Charlie le Mindu is hosting a series of nights with different performers- tonight it is Ssion and Princess Vitarah
Here are some of the things to do to celebrate Día de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead in and around Los Angeles-
Saturday (10/29)
One of the biggest Día de los Muertos celebrations in Los Angeles is at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. For its 17th Annual event the theme is The Tree of Life. This year the featured performer is Julieta Venegas, and there are numerous music and dance performances on the various stages around the cemetery, as well as altars, an art exhibition, local food and arts and crafts vendors and more. ($20)
Sunday (10/30)
MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art) in Long Beach is having an all day festival including a Day of the Dead procession, live music and performances, sugar skull decorating, face painting and more. You can also check out the Museum’s Day of the Dead art and altars exhibit. (free)
San Pedro is having a big Day of the Dead festival with live entertainment, food, an altar competition and more
Downey is having its 4th Annual Día de los Muertos Art Festival. Along with several dance performances, musical performances, two film screenings Macario and Book of Life, an altar contest, an exhibition with local artists and more plus free admission and parking
As part of Pasadena’s Day of the Dead celebrations they are having a free screening of Book of Life at One Colorado
Through November 2
Día de los Muertos events are occurring all week on Olvera Street– with community altars on display, performances, face painting and more
November 2
Self Help Graphics and Art is hosting a free Día de los Muertos party in Boyle Heights with Alice Bag among the musical guests performing, food and craft vendors, face painting, children’s workshops and a traditional ceremonial blessing
Through November 6
Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos Altars and Art Exhibition spans the park with many creative altars, some traditional and some more contemporary. There is a community altar created by Ofelia Esparza and there are lunchtime tours running through 11/5 with some of the artists.