After the cancellation of Long Beach’s annual Día de los Muertos parade due to fears of immigration enforcement, small businesses and large organizations alike are working double time to keep the Día de los Muertos spirit alive. 

The Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones is a centuries-old tradition centered on family, culture, celebration and a reunion with beloved souls.

The celebration typically runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, with several traditions taking place on each day and varying across regions and cultures.

From mariachi performances and community ofrendas (altars) to painting and craft-making, here are 10 ways you can honor your loved ones and celebrate Day of the Dead in Long Beach. 

All events on this list are free to attend unless stated otherwise.

Saturday, Nov. 1

Death Cafe and Group Reading

When: 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Cooper Arms Building – 455 E. Ocean Boulevard 

Price: $44

Details: Tune in for a safe discussion on death with organizers Pam Chotiswatdi and Angela Lockhart from Cardomom Path and a group reading with medium Lisa Mercier.

Cardamom Path is a group of end-of-life professionals and doulas dedicated to assisting in transitions to death, guiding others through grief and educating the community on end-of-life planning, care options and more. 

Tickets are available for purchase online. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. 

Día de los Muertos with Long Beach Heritage 

When: 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Bembridge House – 953 N. Park Circle

Details: Bring a photo of a loved one and join the community for a Día de los Muertos celebration at the Bembridge House, organized by Long Beach Heritage and Councilmember Mary Zendejas.

Frames will be provided for guests to add their loved one to the community ofrenda, and attendees can enjoy food and other traditional crafts.

Make sure to bring a 4-by-6-inch photo to place on the altar. 

Giveaway with Wilmore City Community Association 

When: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: Bembridge House – 953 N. Park Circle

Details: Live in Wilmore City? Enter a chance to win a $30 Grocery Outlet gift card at the Bembridge House, where the Wilmore City Community Association will be giving away 75 gift cards in the holiday spirit. 

Día de los Muertos at Roxanne’s

When: 6 p.m. to midnight

Where: Roxanne’s Bar – 1115 E. Wardlow Road

Details: Enjoy Aztec dance performances, live music, specialty drinks and family-friendly face painting and coloring at the culmination event of this pop-up experience at Roxanne’s Bar.

Marie’s Tek Tec, a lounge at Roxanne’s, has transformed into Marie’s de los Muertos for the month of October, offering colorful decorations, candles, evolving ofrendas and six themed cocktails such as “muerto vivo” or “living dead,” a blend of aged and dark rum, lime juice, grenadine and more. 

Enjoy menu specials at the event, including buy one shot, get one free, to pour one out in honor of a loved one. 

Día de Los Muertos at Hotel Maya

When: Saturday, Nov. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: 700 Queensway Drive

Details: Visit Fuego Restaurant at Hotel Maya for a weekend celebration with live music, face painting, tequila tastings, giveaways and a sugar skull contest. 

Enjoy performances from “The Night Shift Band” on Saturday and “Mariachi Espectacular” on Sunday.

Make a dinner reservation online.

Sunday, Nov. 2

Día de los Muertos at Alter Ego

When: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Alter Ego at Fairmont Breakers – 210 E. Ocean Blvd.

Details: Spend your Sunday evening enjoying craft cocktails and bites for purchase, along with a live performance from Mexican singer La Bella Ruby at the Alter Ego lounge in the Fairmont Breakers hotel.

The event is organized by Fairmont Breakers in partnership with Affluent Hispanic Philanthropies.

Admission is 21+ only. RSVP online.

Story time and alebrije craft at Casita Bookstore

When: 11 a.m.

Where: 1440 E. Fourth St.

Details: Join this local, Latinx-owned bookstore in celebrating Día de los Muertos with a storytime led by educator Xochil Brizuela, founder of XB Spanish and More.

After the storytime, stick around for alebrije craft-making, honoring the mythical Mexican creatures known as spiritual guides who accompany ancestors to the afterlife.

“Charla con cafecito” at Casita Bookstore 

When: 5 p.m.

Where: 1440 E. Fourth St.

Details: After the story time and craft-making, return to Casita Bookstore for a talk with author Annette Chavez Macias of  “Everything She Never Knew.”

The novel, released in September, explores themes of friendship, heartbreak, betrayal and Mexican-American culture.

Day of the Dead Paint & Sip with Morning Dew Grazing

When: 3 p.m.

Where: 235 E. Broadway

Price: $35

Details: Enjoy a painting session while sipping mocktails, beer and champurrado. Bring a photo of a loved one to add to the community ofrenda and relish in a charcuterie board provided by catering company Morning Dew Grazing. 

Tickets are available for purchase online.

Friday, Nov. 7

First Fridays: Celebrating Día de los Muertos

When: 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 pm

Where: Bixby Knolls corridor, along Atlantic Avenue

Details: Booked this weekend? Join Bixby Knolls in their annual Día de Los Muertos celebration next week as part of their “First Fridays” series.

Enjoy live mariachi music, art stands, shops and entertainment at various businesses, and bring a photo to add to the community ofrenda. 

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