Día de Muertos Festivals Sweep Major US Cities This October–November
From Los Angeles to San Antonio and Seattle, US cities are hosting major Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations October 24–November 2. These free, family-friendly festivals offer newcomers a chance to experience Mexican and Mexican American cultural traditions.
Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—is one of North America's most vibrant cultural celebrations, blending indigenous Mesoamerican and Catholic traditions. In 2003, UNESCO proclaimed the Day of the Dead a Masterpiece of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This year, major US cities are hosting month-long festivals welcoming newcomers and families.
Major 2026 Celebrations
Los Angeles (October 24–November 2): Olvera Street's 2026 festival runs from October 25 to November 2, featuring community altars, performances and evening processions. Gloria Molina Grand Park will present an altar exhibition from October 24 to November 2, featuring 17 installations created by artists and community organisations. Día de Muertos at Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the most attended Day of the Dead celebration in the United States, held on November 1 every year for over two decades, with tens of thousands of people filling the grounds of the historic cemetery after dark.
San Antonio (October 23–November 3): Día de los Muertos at Historic Market Square runs October 24–25, 2026. This free, two-day celebration brings Mexican and Mexican American traditions to life through community altars, live music, face painting, family activities, and plenty of food. Visitors can spend the day enjoying the festivities, then explore the shops, restaurants, and working artists throughout Historic Market Square.
Oakland (November 1): For 31 years, the annual Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors to the vibrant, culturally-rich Fruitvale neighborhood for a free, outdoor, family-friendly event. Festival attendees enjoy world-class live music, family-friendly games, rides and activities, traditional Latin American artisans, and the stunning altares created by community members paying homage to los Muertos.
Seattle (October 31–November 1): Día de Muertos will take place October 31–November 1, 2026 in the Armory Food & Event Hall. The festival is free and open to the public.
Understanding the Holiday
The holiday is celebrated each year from October 31–November 2. While October 31 is Halloween, November 1 is "Día de los inocentes," or the day of the children, and All Saints Day. November 2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead.
What This Means for You
If you are settling in the United States and want to experience authentic cultural traditions, Día de Muertos festivals offer a welcoming entry point. Most are free and family-friendly, with live music, food vendors, and educational displays about Mexican and Mexican American heritage. For expats from Latin America, it's an opportunity to connect with community; for those new to the region, it's a chance to learn about a tradition that shapes American multicultural life, especially in the Southwest and major urban centers.
Sources
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