Self Help Graphics Día de los Muertos 2026 in Boyle Heights

Self Help Graphics & Art has been throwing one of the city's most rooted Día de los Muertos celebrations for more than five decades, and the 53rd edition lands on Saturday, November 7, 2026. It is free, all-ages, and outdoors on the block of Anderson Street outside the Boyle Heights arts center, which makes it an easy pick for anyone building a list of things to do in Los Angeles this fall.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 3 to 10 PM Where: Self Help Graphics & Art, 1300 East 1st Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 Price: Free (registration through Eventbrite)

What to expect

The organizers describe the day as live music and dance alongside ofrendas to our ancestors, community altars, art and food vendors, and hands-on art activities. The poster adds altars, live music, vendors and art, and notes the event is part of the Smithsonian's Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals 2026 program, with the National Museum of the American Latino among the partners.

Self Help Graphics is known for its printmaking history and its community-first approach to the holiday, so expect the altars to be the heart of the evening rather than a backdrop. Wander slowly, read the dedications, and leave time for the art tables if you want to make something yourself.

Why it works as an evening out

Because the program runs until 10 PM, it stretches well past the usual daytime festival window. If you are scanning for things to do LA nightlife style that still feel grounded in community, this is a good one: music and dance after dark, food nearby, and no cover. It also sits comfortably among the upcoming events Los Angeles offers around early November, when several Día de los Muertos gatherings compete for the same weekend.

Practical info

• Register in advance on the Eventbrite page linked below, since the celebration is free but ticketed for planning.
• The event is outdoors, so bring a layer for the evening chill.
• Street parking around Boyle Heights fills up quickly. Consider Metro's A Line (Gold) to Mariachi Plaza or a rideshare, then walk.
• Arrive earlier in the afternoon if you want a calmer look at the ofrendas before the crowds build for the evening music.

Nearby

The celebration is in Boyle Heights, an easy neighborhood to pair with a meal at Mariachi Plaza or a walk past the murals along 1st Street. Browse more nightlife events on OTBLA, and check the Los Angeles neighborhood page for what else is happening nearby.

Full details and registration are on the official Eventbrite listing.