Every year around November 1 and 2, Santa Ana and the San Gabriel Valley fill with marigolds, candles, and altars covered in photographs. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition for honoring and remembering loved ones who have died. It’s a celebration of memory and love, with music, food, art, and family. If you want to take part this year, here are the events to know about across Orange County and the SGV, in date order.
Events Calendar:
Valle de los Muertos (Santa Ana)
October 28, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Held on the Arts Lawn at Valley High School, this family-friendly campus event features student-led altars and cultural programming.
Día de los Muertos Celebration (El Monte, SGV)
October 29, 2026 | 5:00 PM
The City of El Monte hosts this free celebration in the back parking lot on Main Street, with live entertainment. eventsincalifornia
Magic of the Altars (Santa Ana)
October 30, 2026 | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Hosted by the city at the Roosevelt-Walker Community Center (816 E. Chestnut Ave.), this free gathering includes art-making, face painting, snacks, and a community memorial altar.
Día de Muertos Art Exhibition & Convivio (Pasadena, SGV)
November 1, 2026 | Morning start
This free community gathering at All Saints Episcopal Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., celebrates Día de Muertos with visual art and folklórico dancing. The listing shows a 9:00 AM start, so confirm the schedule before you go. eventsincalifornia
Mexican Day of the Dead Family Festival (Santa Ana)
November 1, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Held in the Key Courtyard at the Bowers Museum (2002 N. Main St.), this free festival offers live music, folklorico dance, art projects, face painting, and pan dulce with hot chocolate.
Día de los Muertos at Kidspace (Pasadena, SGV)
November 1, 2026
Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena is listed with a Día de los Muertos event on Nov. 1. Check the museum’s website for times and admission details. kidsguidemagazine
Mariachi Los Camperos at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse (San Gabriel, SGV)
November 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM
The two-time Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos perform “Tradición, Arte y Pasión: Un Día De Los Muertos En México” at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse. Tickets are likely required, so confirm details with the venue. missionplayhouse
Heritage Museum of Orange County Celebration (Santa Ana)
November 1, 2026 | 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Located at 3101 W. Harvard St., this free community event features live entertainment, local vendors, family and pet ofrendas, and hands-on crafts.
Santa Ana Cemetery “Día de los Muertos To Go” (Santa Ana)
November 1, 2026
The Orange County Cemetery District hands out free children’s craft kits, marigold bouquets, and pan de muerto at the cemetery office, while families build and decorate graveside ofrendas.
Fairhaven Memorial Park Service (Santa Ana)
November 2, 2026 | 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
This traditional bilingual service at the park’s Waverly Chapel features mariachi music and local student dancers.
Día de los Muertos Celebration at the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse (San Gabriel, SGV)
November 6, 2026 | 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
The city’s celebration at 320 S. Mission Drive features live performances, refreshments for purchase, and a community altar. The altar displays submitted photos of San Gabriel residents who have passed. Hot drinks and sweet treats from El Pavo Bakery and Restaurant will be available to buy. Fall Events +2
24th Annual Noche de Altares (Santa Ana)
November 7, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Organized by El Centro Cultural de Mexico, Orange County’s largest Día de los Muertos gathering transforms 4th Street (between Ross St. and Broadway) with hundreds of community-built altars, art, and performances.
Viva La Vida Festival (Santa Ana)
November 7, 2026 | 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Taking place at 325 E. 4th St. in Downtown Santa Ana, this annual festival showcases vibrant altars, live entertainment, and street vendors.
El Poder de la Cultura Morelense (Santa Ana)
November 7, 2026 | 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Hosted at 120 W. 4th St., this downtown event highlights traditional Morelense culture and colorful Chinelos dancers.
Quick Guide to Altars
At the center of the holiday is the ofrenda, or altar. You’ll see photographs of loved ones, bright cempasúchil (marigolds), candles, papel picado banners, pan de muerto, and favorite foods and drinks of the people being remembered. Many of the events below invite you to add a photo or name to a community altar.Tips for Attending Respectfully
Tips for Attending Respectfully
Remember it’s a memorial first. Many people are honoring family members they’ve lost, so be mindful with photos and noise around altars.
Ask before photographing people. The altars are usually fine to photograph, but people who are mourning may not want to be photographed.
Wear calavera face paint thoughtfully. It’s part of the tradition, not a Halloween costume.
Support local vendors and artisans.
Plan for Saturday, November 7. Noche de Altares, Viva La Vida, and the Morelense celebration are all on downtown 4th Street that day, so arrive early and expect crowds.
Mind the drive. If you want to catch events in both the SGV and Orange County on the same day, traffic between the two can be heavy, so build in extra time.
Photo Credit:
Photo: Travel Santa Ana (link to https://www.travelsantaana.com/blog/post/dia-de-los-muertos-santaana/)
Photo: Enjoy Orange County (link to https://enjoyorangecounty.com/dia-de-los-muertos/)
