Dia de los Muertos in Long Beach

Día de los Muertos–Day of the Dead–is a centuries-old celebration of our departed loved ones with deep roots in Mexican and Latin American culture. Though the holiday is celebrated on Nov. 1 and 2, Dia de los Muertos activities in Long Beach will take place throughout the months of October and November, ranging from popular parades to altar art to the Bread of the Dead.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS PARADE

The Ninth Annual Dia de los Muertos Parade takes place in Downtown Long Beach on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 11AM to 12:30PM. The parade will feature a variety of floats, culturally rich performances, marching bands, equestrians, motorcycles and much more. The parade begins at the intersection of Pine Avenue and East Third Street and will travel down Pine to Shoreline Drive.

CREDIT: City of Long Beach

ARTE Y OFRENDAS FESTIVAL

The Arte Y Ofrendas Festival, presented by the SoCal Suenos Foundation, works in concert with the Dia de los Muertos Parade and will go on for two days, Nov. 2 (12-10PM) and Nov. 3 (11AM-7PM). Taking place at Marina Green Park (386 E Shoreline Dr), this event will feature live musical performances, altars honoring loved ones, a food court, beer and tequila court, artisan marketplace and children’s area. Tickets to the festival can be purchased by clicking here.

GUSTO BREAD PAN DE MUERTO

In what has become a delicious tradition, Gusto Bread (2710 E Fourth St) offers its Pan de Muerto or Bread of the Dead through October and into November. Gusto’s Pan de Muerto is a sourdough sweet bread made especially for the day of remembrance and features myriad levels of flavor from orange and orange blossoms to raw cane sugar. Its crunchy sweet exterior is meant to represent bones, while its shape is skull-like. It’s delicious, even more so when dunked in Xocolatl (Agua de Chocolate).

Credit: Gusto Bread

BUILD AN OFRENDA, COMMUNITY ART WORKSHOP

Ofrendas are altars made to honor the dead and the Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave) will host a family workshop to help create one. The Build An Ofrenda Community Art Workshop on Oct. 24 is a two-hour (5:30-7:30PM) family workshop of altar-making during which guests will learn the history of ofrendas as well as create a community altar in the MOLAA Art Studio. Guests are asked to bring a 4x6 photocopy of a loved one that can be left with the museum. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased here.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL: JOURNEY OF OUR ANCESTORS

The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Ave) will host its annual Day of the Dead family festival on Oct. 27 from 11AM to 5PM. The festival will feature delicious food stations, beer and wine, merchants and lots of sweets. There will be live musical performances and DJs as well.

Credit: MOLAA

RANCHO LOS CERRITOS

Rancho Los Cerritos (4600 Virginia Rd) will host its first Dia de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 27 from 2 to 7PM. Produced in partnership with Puente Latino Assn., this vibrant cultural event is designed to be enjoyed by the whole family and will feature live musical performances, traditional arts and crafts, and beautiful ofrendas–i.e. altars honoring the dead–as well as delicious food and drink.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IN FUEGO

Fuego (700 Queensway Dr), the modern, Latin-infused restaurant and lounge with spectacular views of Rainbow Harbor, Queen Mary and Long Beach skyline, will celebrate on Nov. 1 and 2, with Grammy Award winning Mariachi band, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea performing on Nov. 1. Also Nov. 1–from 5-9PM–celebrate loved ones by having your face painted by a professional makeup artist. The weekend’s celebrations will include traditional street tacos and drink specials as well as prizes.

About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.