Highlights from LA Day of the Dead 2026, at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
WestHollywoodToday.blogspot(October 30 2026 Hollywood CA)
Photos & story by Karen Ostlund
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| LA Day of The Dead at Hollywood Forever 2026. |
"The day of the dead" is on November 1st and November 2nd in our calendar, but Hollywood Forever Cemetery, celebrated it October 24, as a joyful and cultural event, that honors the traditions of Dia de los Muertos.
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| AZTECS dancers at Hollywood Forever. |
November 1 (All Saints' Day / Día de los Inocentes or Día de los Angelitos): Traditionally dedicated to remembering and honoring deceased infants and children.
November 2 (All Souls' Day / Día de los Difuntos): The main Day of the Dead celebration, dedicated to honoring deceased adults.
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| Los Shadows band at daytime session. |
The 27th Annual Día de los Muertos, or LA Day of the Dead at Hollywood Forever, October 24 2026, was held from noon to midnight, and divided into 3 sessions, day - afternoon - and - evening, with the theme "All Under One Sky" featuring CATHEDRAL ART, AZTECS & FOLKLORICO DANCERS,
ARTS, CRAFTS and CULINARY VENDORS.
The stage-lineup, featured DannyLux and Trish Toledo as top performers, alongside Tropa Magica, Los Shadows, DJ Que Madre, DJ Joaquin, and DJ Dro Barlo.
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| Folklórico dancers. |
Folklórico and Aztec dancers, and a Ceremonial Procession performances at the Muerte y Tradición Stage, filled the day with movement and tradition.
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| Aztec Blessing. |
Over 15,000 people gathered the grounds of Hollywood Forever cemetery for the 27th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration. The debut of a spectacular drone show gave this year’s theme, “All Under One Sky / Bajo un Mismo Cielo,” a new dimension, connecting personal tributes on the grounds with illuminated symbols of remembrance overhead.
Drones transformed the night sky above the cemetery into a luminous canvas of candles, skulls, catrinas and marigolds, and the words “Keep the Spirit Alive".
Before DannyLux’s closing performance, Aztec dancers and a shaman took the stage for a ceremony accompanied by drumming and rising incense smoke. The ritual offered a moment of spiritual reflection before the celebration turned skyward.
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| Altar 57 |
Across the grounds of Hollywood Forever, over 70 altars and ofrendas told personal stories through photographs, candles and treasured objects.
The altars were decorated with the signature flowers orange and yellow marigolds, for Día de los Muertos,
Marigolds and incense are believed with their aromatic scents will guide "the dead to the place where the feast is being held".
Dia de los Muertos is a time of celebration on remembrance and come to terms with the cycle of life and death.
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| Winner of the costume contest. |
Winner of the $1,000 first-place costume contest "Catrina prize" was a long dress with fitted bodice and full skirt extended into a long, painted train, with skeletal and decorative symbols in pink, orange, green and turquoise.
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| Altar 40. |
Inside the historic Art Cathedral Mausoleum, the exhibit "Bajo un Mismo Cielo", curated by Nery Gabriel Lemus, brought together 12 Mexican artists showing art influenced by memory and ancestry. Artists featured were; Jackie Amezquita • William Camargo • Danie Cansino • Carolyn Castaño • Narsiso Martinez • Lola Moreno • Noe Olivas • Jose Guadalupe Sanchez III • Lorenzo Urtado Segovia • Jaqueline Valenzuela and Nery Lemus.
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| Altar 35 |
El Cine + El Teatro’s The People’s Stage added bilingual theater, puppetry and outdoor Mexican cinema, while Lil’ Libros and LA Opera Connects offered family programming at the Children’s Plaza.
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| Altar 4 by Familia Venegas, made as a photobooth. |
The celebration was supported by title sponsors Toyota and Espolòn Tequila.
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