(Updated October 2026) Día de los Muertos is a joyful tradition honoring loved ones who have passed-rooted in Mexican culture and celebrated across Orange County with family-friendly festivals, altars (ofrendas), music, dance, art, and food. Below you'll find confirmed events, plus tips on what to bring and how to participate respectfully.
Here is a list of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events happening in Orange County listed in order of date!
💀 SUGAR SKULL! A Día De Muertos Musical Adventure (Costa Mesa)
📅 September 19-20, 2026
📍 Segerstrom Center for the Arts - Samueli Theater
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Experience the magic, music, and heart of SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure-a joyful, high-energy bilingual production for families and young audiences. When twelve-year-old Vita Flores questions why her family celebrates Día de Muertos, a lively candy skeleton whisks her into a vibrant world where ancestors dance, legends come to life, and tradition takes center stage. Featuring stunning regional Mexican music and dance, eye-popping visuals, and unforgettable characters, this uplifting journey helps audiences discover the meaning behind this beloved holiday.
💀 Día de los Muertos Festival at Mainplace Mall (Santa Ana)
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
📍 MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St., Santa Ana, CA
💰 FREE
Head to Mainplace Mall for their beloved Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration, an annual tradition that honors culture, family, and remembrance. This vibrant festival brings the community together through authentic cultural performances, traditional altars, art displays, and interactive experiences. Celebrate the beauty of life and the rich heritage of this meaningful tradition.
💀 HMOC Día de Los Muertos Celebration (Santa Ana)
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
📍 Heritage Museum of Orange County
3101 W Harvard St, Santa Ana, CA 92704
The FREE HMOC Día de Los Muertos celebration and community altar (ofrenda) returns with live entertainment, food, vendors, community altar, arts and crafts and more!
💀 Día de Los Muertos Embellished Candles (Costa Mesa)
📅 Thursday, October 15, 2026
📍 Costa Mesa - Donald Dungan Library
1855 Park Ave, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
💰 FREE
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a Dia de Los Muertos candle decorating workshop! Join us as we honor the traditions of Día de los Muertos by decorating candles with colorful designs inspired by marigolds, sugar skulls, flowers, and other meaningful symbols, including an optional photo of a loved one. This program offers a fun and creative way to learn about the holiday's rich cultural traditions while making a beautiful keepsake to take home. All materials are provided.
💀 Día de los Muertos Celebration (Orange)
📅 Saturday, November 1, 2026
📍 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
674 S Yorba Street, Orange, CA 92869
💰 FREE
Come join us for a beautiful evening as we honor our ancestors and celebrate Día de los Muertos together. Enjoy a colorful chalk walk, delicious authentic food, lively mariachi music, and a meaningful altar display filled with love and remembrance.
💀 Día de los Muertos Mini Piñata Making (Laguna Woods)
📅 Friday, October 30, 2026
📍 Laguna Woods Library
24266 El Toro Rd, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
💰 FREE
Come honor the cultural traditions of Día de Los Muertos and celebrate with art! Create a fun mini piñata that you can take home and fill with treats. The program will take place outside on the patio of Laguna Woods Library. No registration is required, but space is limited.
💀 Día de los Muertos Craft (Rancho Santa Margarita)
📅 Wednesday, September 30, 2026
📍 Rancho Santa Margarita Library
30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
💰 FREE
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library and paint art pieces inspired by Día de los Muertos. All materials provided and no registration required. Limited to 40 participants.
💀 Día de los Muertos (Dana Point)
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
📍 La Plaza Park
34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, CA 92629
💰 FREE
Please join us for the City of Dana Point's Dia de los Muertos celebration. This traditional holiday will be celebrated in La Plaza Park with ofrendas, live bands, dancing, art, great food and delicious beverages. This will be a great family friendly event, that will support local non-profits.
💀 Día de los Muertos Festival (Santa Ana)
📅 November 1, 2026
📍 The Pumpkin Factory Mainplace Mall
1025 Westminster Mall, Westminster, CA
Celebrate tradition and community with live bands, festive decorations, and fun photo opps at The Pumpkin Factory!
💀 Día de los Muertos to Go! (Santa Ana)
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
📍 Santa Ana Cemetery
1919 E. Santa Clara Avenue, Santa Ana, CA
On Monday afternoon, November 1st, you can stop by and pick up some fun, free Dia de los Muertos give-aways. Tables will be set up outside the Santa Ana Cemetery office where we will be handing out Dia de los Muertos Craft kits for children, small bouquets of marigolds, and Pan de Muertos - all "To Go".
💀 Mexican Day of the Dead (Santa Ana)
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
📍 Bowers Museum
2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, California 92706
Celebrate with Bowers Museum during our free family festivals held every first Sunday of the month in the Museum's beautiful Key Courtyard. Enjoy live performances, art making, face painting and complimentary treats at every festival.
💀 Día de los Muertos to Go! (El Toro)
📅 Sunday, November 1, 2026
📍 El Toro Memorial Park
25751 Trabuco Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
On Monday afternoon, November 1st, you can stop by and pick up some fun, free Dia de los Muertos give-aways. Tables will be set up outside the Santa Ana Cemetery office where we will be handing out Dia de los Muertos Craft kits for children, small bouquets of marigolds, and Pan de Muertos - all "To Go".
💀 Mini Ofrenda Decorating Class (Fullerton)
📅 Sunday, September 29, 2026
📍 Casa 723
723 South Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, CA 92832
In this class you will decorate a mini ofrenda. You will learn a bit about the key elements to creating an ofrenda and about the meaning behind Dia de Muertos celebrations. The ofrenda and all supplies to decorate it are included. Class is great to take with family and friends, and is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Día de los Muertos FAQ (Family Tips)
Family Tips for Attending
- What to bring: small flowers (cempasúchil), a photo for community ofrendas (if invited), cash for vendors, layers for evening temps.
- Photography: always ask before photographing ofrendas or people in prayer; some altars are private memorials.
- Parking & timing: arrive 30-45 minutes early; bring strollers with all-terrain wheels for plazas/parks.
- Accessibility: many events are on level surfaces; check venue maps for accessible parking and restrooms.
- Vocabulary: ofrenda (altar), calaveras (skulls), calacas (skeletons), cempasúchil (marigold), pan de muerto (bread).
Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
No. It's a separate cultural tradition focused on remembrance and celebration of life, typically Nov 1-2, with altars, music, and food.
What should we bring for a community ofrenda?
A small printed photo and a brief dedication, plus a flower or token. Always follow the host's instructions.
Are the events appropriate for young kids?
Yes-most OC events include crafts, music, and food. Some imagery includes skeletons, which are celebratory rather than scary.
How should we dress?
Comfortable shoes and layers. Face painting is common and welcomed; be respectful around altars and prayer areas.
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