Pauline Adamek
In four authentic and family-friendly Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, Forest Lawn brings traditional Mexican Day of the Dead customs to life. The lively community festivals honor the memories of the dead while illuminating the rich history of the holiday with artisanal floral displays, community altars, folkloric dancers, Mariachi music performances, traditional cuisine, bilingual programs, face painting, arts & crafts, giveaways, and more. The free, family-friendly events take place on Sunday, October 27 at Forest Lawn’s Glendale, Cypress, and Covina Hills locations and on Friday November 2, at the Cathedral City location.
This year, Forest Lawn’s authentic Dia de los Muertos celebrations will debut a new traditional element: six-foot-tall Catrinas, which Forest Lawn’s floral designers have been working on since March. The skeletal women, originally drawn by Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1910 and popularized by Diego Rivera in the early twentieth century, are a symbol of the holiday and the return of departed loved ones as well as a memento mori and a reminder to be true to oneself. Inspired by Catrinas seen by Forest Lawn floral specialist Rocio Marquez during a recent Dia de los Muertos trip to rural Mexico, the four Catrinas have each taken on their own personalities, with distinct costumes and accessories inspired by the time period in which they first became popular. In addition to the hand-painted Catrinas and alebrijes spirit animals that will enliven the Forest Lawn—Glendale celebrations, six-foot-tall Mariachi sculptures will be on view at Cathedral City, while Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale will offer a meet-and-greet with live Catrina characters. Additionally, all parks will feature hand-craft community altars complete with marigolds, offerings, photographs of loved ones, and more, bringing a parade of artful and artisanal floral designs to Forest Lawn’s unique Dia de los Muertos celebration.
The Dia de los Muertos celebration at Forest Lawn—Covina Hills is the featured commemoration this year. Highlights include:
- Music performances by the all-female group the Mariachi Divas and folkloric dance performances by Ballet Folclórico Internacional
- Family-friendly marionette show, arts & crafts, and face painting
- Ceremony led by Father Mario Juarez from Christ Cathedral with Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Mexicana
- Display of vibrant Comforters of Love comforters, which will be donated to a Covina-based Hispanic nonprofit for winter warmth following the event
- Community altars on display October 27–30
- Catrina character meet-and-greet & Classic Coaches vintage hearses display, both available for photo opportunities
- Complimentary traditional beverages and light snacks
- Vendor Faire with booths offering art, souvenirs, jewelry, and clothing
- Sunday, October 27 from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM at Forest Lawn—Covina Hills, 21300 Via Verde Drive, Covina, CA 91724
Highlights of Forest Lawn’s other immersive Dia de los Muertos festivals include:
Forest Lawn—Glendale:
- Music performances by Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Mexicana and folkloric dance performances by Ballet Folclórico Internacional
- Authentic display of larger-than-life artisanal Catrina sculptures and alebrijes animals, community altars, and barriletes gigantes flying kites
- Screenings of Disney’s Coco at 1:00 PM in English
- Family-friendly marionette performances, face painting, and arts & crafts
- Catrina character meet-and-greet & Classic Coaches vintage hearses display, both available for photo opportunities
- Complimentary traditional beverages and light snacks
- Viewing of Forest Lawn Museum’s new exhibition The Elevated Eye: Aerial Photography Past and Present
- Sunday, October 27 from 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at Forest Lawn—Glendale, 1712 S. Glendale Avenue, Glendale, CA 91205
Forest Lawn—Cypress:
- Music performances by Mariachi Juvenil Herencia Mexicana and folkloric dance performances by Long Beach Aztec dancers Zem Ahuhuac
- Family-friendly arts & crafts and face painting
- Ceremony led by Father Alfredo Vargas of St. Athanasius Catholic Church, Long Beach
- Complimentary traditional beverages and light snacks
- Catrina character meet-and-greet & Classic Coaches vintage hearses display, both available for photo opportunities
- Sunday, October 27 from 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at Forest Lawn—Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA 90630
Forest Lawn—Cathedral City:
- Premiere Dia de los Muertos celebration at Forest Lawn—Cathedral City
- Mariachi music performance
- Display of larger-than-life artisanal Mariachi sculptures
- Ceremony led by Forest Lawn—Coachella Valley Vice President Larry Davis in English
- Community altar, face painting, light refreshments, and more
- Saturday, November 2 from 4:00 PM–7:00 PM at Forest Lawn—Cathedral City, 69855 E. Ramon Road, Cathedral City, CA 92234
“The Dia de los Muertos events epitomize Forest Lawn’s commitment to community, past, present, and future,” says Rodolfo Saenz, Forest Lawn’s Senior Vice President, Marketing. “Families and community members can come together to learn about the history of Day of the Dead and celebrate its traditions while honoring their loved ones, in this life and the next. This is a day to remember those we’ve lost and a day to celebrate the vibrant life we are given.”
The Dia de los Muertos celebrations will take place on Sunday, October 27 from 11:00 AM–4:00 PM at Forest Lawn—Covina Hills, and from 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at Forest Lawn’s Cypress, and Glendale locations.
The Dia de los Muertos celebration at Forest Lawn—Cathedral City will take place on Saturday, November 2 from 4:00 PM–7:00 PM.
Guests are encouraged to arrive one hour prior to the start time of Forest Lawn’s Dia de los Muertos commemorations to allow ample time to find parking and enjoy a walk through the grounds before the day’s events begin.
Admission and parking are FREE for all events with handicapped parking and shuttle service available if needed. Visit www.forestlawn.com for more information.
