Forest Lawn Celebrates Día de Los Muertos with Four Events

Forest Lawn’s community altars display offerings from the community (File Photo – Forest Lawn).

Forest Lawn will bring traditional Day of the Dead customs to life with in-person events across its four Southern California locations.

By News Desk

The community celebrations will honor the memories of the dead while illuminating the rich history of the Mexican holiday with vibrant altars, larger-than-life Catrina and alebrijes (spirit guides), art works, folkloric dance and Mariachi performances, arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments. Three free, family-friendly events take place at Forest Lawn’s Cypress, Covina Hills, and Glendale locations on October 29 from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. The event at Forest Lawn-Cathedral City will take place Thursday, November 2, 2023, from 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm.

Highlights for the Día de Los Muertos celebrations include:

• Live performances of Folkloric dance and Mariachi
• Bob Baker Marionette performances at Covina Hills, Cypress, and Glendale locations
• Community ofrendas (altars) presentations
• Traditional Catrina and alebrijes (spirit animals) art works
• Arts & crafts, face painting, and refreshments
• Food trucks and carts with delicious offerings

This year marks the fifth appearance of six-foot-tall Catrina sculptures, artisanal creations crafted by Forest Lawn’s floral designers and inspired by Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations. The skeletal women symbolize the return of departed loved ones and are a reminder to be true to oneself and enjoy life. Each of Forest Lawn’s Catrina sculptures has her own personality, with distinct costumes and accessories inspired by the early twentieth century, the time period when Catrinas were first popularized by Jose Guadalupe Posada and Diego Rivera. Alebrijes spirit animals will accompany the Catrina sculptures, along with live Catrinas at select locations.

“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, Marketing. “We are excited to come together, to remember the past and honor its traditions, and to celebrate the vibrancy of the present.”