Top 8 US Día de Muertos Celebrations Ranked by Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet has identified the top eight Día de Muertos celebrations across the United States: Los Angeles, Chicago, San Antonio, San Francisco, San Diego, Albuquerque, New York City, and Austin. The largest celebration occurs in Los Angeles at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, drawing 30,000 visitors with over 100 altars and performances by Aztec dancers. Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art hosts Día de los Muertos Xicágo, featuring the Love Never Dies Ball on November 8. San Antonio will celebrate Muertos Fest from October 23-25, while San Francisco's Marigold Project's Festival of Altars takes place on November 2. San Diego includes cross-border festivities, Albuquerque's parade spans October 24-November 2, NYC's Mano a Mano has been active since 2004, and Austin's Viva La Vida Festival has been celebrated since 1984.
Key facts
- Lonely Planet ranked the 8 best Día de Muertos celebrations in the US.
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles has hosted its celebration since 2000, drawing 30,000 attendees annually.
- Chicago's National Museum of Mexican Art hosts Día de los Muertos Xicágo and the Love Never Dies Ball on November 8.
- San Antonio's Muertos Fest runs October 23-25, with the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center founded in 1980.
- San Francisco's Mission District has celebrated Día de Muertos since the early 1970s, with the Marigold Project formed in 1990.
- San Diego's Sherman Heights celebration began over 30 years ago, started by Sr Domingo Sandoval.
- Albuquerque's Muertos y Marigolds Parade features the Marigold Mile from October 24 to November 2.
- New York City's Mano a Mano has organized events since 2004, now spanning multiple venues.
- Austin's Viva La Vida Festival, run by Mexic-Arte Museum since 1984, is the longest-running in Texas.
Entities
Artists
- Sylvia Orozco
- Sam Coronado
- Pio Pulido
- Sr Domingo Sandoval
Institutions
- Lonely Planet
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- National Museum of Mexican Art
- American Alliance of Museums
- Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
- Marigold Project
- Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
- San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
- Sherman Heights Community Center
- Mano a Mano
- Hispanic Society Museum & Library
- St Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery
- Flatiron North Plaza
- David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
- El Museo del Barrio
- Mexic-Arte Museum
- Indian Pueblo Kitchen
- Cuantos Tacos
- Suerte
- Nixta Taqueria
- Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia
Locations
- United States
- Los Angeles
- California
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Santa Monica Blvd
- Olvera Street
- Chicago
- Illinois
- Pilsen
- Harrison Park
- Little Village
- San Antonio
- Texas
- Alamo City
- West Side
- San Francisco
- Mission District
- Potrero Del Sol Park
- 22nd and Bryant Sts
- San Diego
- Old Town San Diego
- Tijuana
- Zona Río
- Mercado Hidalgo
- Albuquerque
- New Mexico
- South Valley
- Old Town
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Staten Island
- Governors Island
- East Harlem
- Corona
- Queens
- Sunset Park
- Brooklyn
- Austin
- East Austin
- Mexico City
- Oaxaca
Sources
- Quartz —