Spanning four city blocks, GRAND PARK’S DOWNTOWN DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS ALTARS + ART EXHIBITION connects, tells, and reshapes the stories and traditions of Angeleno life.

On SAT OCT 28, DOWNTOWN DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS kicks off with NOCHE DE OFRENDA, an event in partnership with SELF HELP GRAPHICS & ART honoring the dead and featuring prayer and performance led by the local indigenous community + other community artists.

Over nine days, 50+ community altars and commissioned works of art curated in partnership with Self Help Graphics & Art and Lore Productions will be displayed across the park. As the altars are created to honor deceased loved ones, this year they will also incorporate the theme of the four elements.

Between Grand Ave + Hill St, altars curated by Self Help Graphics & Art, and created by local organizations, artists, and individuals take both traditional and contemporary approaches in remembering the past and passed. A COMMUNITY ALTAR created by Mujeres de Maiz and Ni Santas Collective invites all Angelenos to bring small ofrendas, or offerings, in honor of their own personal memories.

On the Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain splashpad, amongst the floating floral altar offerings, the iconic image of the Lady of the Dead/Catrina will be placed on a decorated floating vessel filled with marigold offerings, paying artistic homage to Mexico City’s Xochimilco, as well as Day of the Dead vessel passage traditions on Janitzio island.

On the Community Terrace between Hill St + North Broadway, “The Journey to Mictlán” installation is a collaborative art collective that will explore the dualistic message of death – the closing of physical life and the opening of the journey to rebirth.

On the Event Lawn between North Broadway + Spring St, will have two altars: a Sugar Skull Community Altar will be another ofrenda space for the local community to write and place dedicated tributes to their dearly departed; and a Oaxacan altar paying tribute to the Four Elements.

LUNCHTIME TOURS: Downtown Día de los Muertos artists Olivia Treviño and Robert Ramirez of LORE Productions will lead the tour of the altars + art exhibition, and provide insight into their work and process. Tours take place daily from SUN OCT 29 – SUN NOV 5 and are 30 minutes in length. Meet at Hill St. entrance of Grand Park (adjacent to Metro station) at 12 NOON.

Information subject to change.

METRO RED or PURPLE LINE TO CIVIC CENTER/GRAND PARK STATION, GOLD LINE TO LITTLE TOKYO/ARTS DISTRICT STATION

Grand Park is an LA County park powered by The Music Center.