Downtown Dia de los Muertos at Gloria Molina Grand Park

For ten days at the end of October, Gloria Molina Grand Park in Downtown LA turns into a public art installation honoring Dia de los Muertos. Seasoned and emerging artists and local community organizations build altars across the park, and the organizers describe it as a healing space for the whole city. It is a strong pick if you are working out things to do in Los Angeles around the Day of the Dead.

When: Saturday, October 24 through Monday, November 2, 2026 Where: Gloria Molina Grand Park, Downtown Los Angeles Viewing hours: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily

What's on

The main event is the public viewing of the altars along Blocks 1 and 2 of the park, running from Grand Avenue to Hill Street. Walk it at your own pace. Altars are personal by nature, so expect photographs, marigolds, candles and offerings that tell the story of the people being remembered.

Two scheduled gatherings anchor the run:

• Opening Day Community Celebration: Saturday, October 24, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Block 1 from Grand Avenue to Olive Court. It is part of Grand Ave Arts: All Access, which takes over Grand Avenue, and it includes dance and music performances and a spiritual cleanse.
• Noche de los Muertos Closing Night Ceremony: Sunday, November 1, 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., on the park's Performance Lawn in Block 2, between Grand Avenue and Hill Street.

If you are scanning for LA events this weekend on October 24 and 25, the opening day is the liveliest time to go, with the most going on and the most people. A weekday visit suits anyone who wants to read each altar slowly.

Planning your visit

The source listing does not publish an admission price, so check the official event page before you go. The park is an open public space, and the altar viewing is staged outdoors across two blocks, so wear comfortable shoes and bring water if you are coming in the afternoon sun.

Grand Park sits on Grand Avenue near the Music Center and City Hall, which makes it easy to reach on the Metro B and D lines to Civic Center/Grand Park station. Parking in the Civic Center area can fill up on big event days, so transit is the easier call, especially on opening day when Grand Avenue is busy with the arts programming.

Come with some time to spare. The altars reward a second lap, and the closing ceremony on November 1 is a quieter, more reflective way to end the season. Dates and programming can change, so confirm details on the listing linked below before heading downtown. For more upcoming events in Los Angeles, browse the festivals page.