Forest Lawn will host traditional Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) events across four Southern California locations. These community celebrations aim to honor the memories of the deceased and highlight the rich history of the Mexican holiday with various activities including vibrant altars, large Catrina and alebrijes artworks, folkloric dance, Mariachi performances, arts and crafts, face painting, and refreshments. The free events are scheduled for Sunday, October 27, 2024, from 12:00-3:00 PM at Forest Lawn’s Cypress, Covina Hills, and Glendale locations. The event at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City is set for Saturday, November 2, 2024, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM.
The Día de los Muertos celebrations will feature:
- Folkloric dance and Mariachi performances
- Bob Baker Marionette performances at Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale locations
- Community ofrendas (altars) presentations
- Traditional Catrina and alebrijes (spirit animals) artworks
- Arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments
- Food trucks and carts offering a variety of foods
This year continues live performances and marks the sixth appearance of six-foot-tall Catrina sculptures. These artisanal creations by Forest Lawn’s floral designers are inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. The skeletal women symbolize the return of departed loved ones and serve as a reminder to be true to oneself and enjoy life. Each sculpture has its own personality with distinct costumes and accessories inspired by the early twentieth century when Catrinas were first popularized by Jose Guadalupe Posada and Diego Rivera. Alebrijes spirit animals will accompany these sculptures.
“Forest Lawn looks forward to the Día de los Muertos events and welcoming our community to our parks,” says Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawn’s Senior Vice President of Marketing. “We are excited to come together to remember the past and honor its traditions while celebrating the vibrancy of the present.”
Forest Lawn’s Día de los Muertos celebrations will take place on Sunday, October 27, 2024 from 12:00-3:00 PM at their Cypress, Covina Hills, and Glendale locations. The event at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City will occur on Saturday November 2 from 12:00 – 3:00 PM.