Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, blends ancient Indigenous Mesoamerican traditions with Catholic observances and is celebrated primarily on November 1 and 2. It was believed that upon death, a person went to Chicunamictlán (the Land of the Dead), and their soul endured nine levels of challenges before reaching Mictlán (the Final Resting Place). Families were encouraged to leave offerings of food, water, and tools on ofrendas (altars) to help the deceased in their journey, a tradition that has endured to the 21st century.
Today, people celebrate by decorating graves in cemeteries, sharing pan de muerto (bread of the dead), and leaving marigolds, sugar skulls, and photos of their loved ones on ofrendas.
In Greater Palm Springs, there are many ways to celebrate the holiday through art, music, physical activity, and remembrance. Here are some of the top activities to check out during Día de los Muertos in 2026.
When: November 4-8, 2026
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Experience a vibrant multi-day celebration of Día de los Muertos at Sunnylands Center & Gardens in Rancho Mirage. The gardens will be beautifully decorated with colorful cut paper, shadow boxes (nichos), and altars throughout the event. Each day, visitors can explore the altars and shadow boxes, while special evening programming, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities bring the celebration to life. Parking and admission to the gardens are free. Some activities may require reservations. Click here to view all events at Sunnylands for more details.
On Friday, Nov. 6, enjoy a free drop-in piñata candle workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a screening of Pixar’s Coco in the West Gardens at 6:30 p.m. During the day, an expert birder will lead a bird walk in Spanish.
When: October 17, 2026 | 12 p.m.
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Also at Sunnylands, on Oct. 17, mosaic artist Mary Clark-Camargo will help get the festivities started by leading a mosaic skull workshop where participants will create their own mosaic skulls. Registration is required, and this is an age 18 and older event. Materials and supplies are provided, and tickets cost $71.97.
When: October 30, 2026 | 1-4 p.m.
Where: Sunnylands Center & Gardens
Join Raices Cultura at Sunnylands for a hands-on workshop where guests will create their own tabletop shadow box (nicho). Bring a photo of your loved one and build a custom frame to honor their memory in celebration of the holiday. Tickets are on sale for $28.29 and participants must be 12 years or older.
When: October 25, 2026 | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: Palm Springs Art Museum
Bring the kids to the Palm Springs Art Museum for the ultimate Day of the Dead experience. An instrument petting zoo allows children to learn about strings, keyboards, percussion instruments, and aerophones while face painting, create-your-own bandana, and paper mache mask making bring variety to the offerings. Live music and ballet folklórico dancers from local schools keep the energy going. Ofrendas created by talented artists offer the opportunity to honor loved ones.
When: November 7, 2026 | 4 p.m.
Where: Old Town Coachella, 1515 6th Street Coachella, CA 92236
Paint your face like a sugar skull and then lace up your running shoes. Honor loved ones who have passed while getting physical at the Run With Los Muertos 5k & Block Party in Coachella. There will be a car show, live entertainment, an art walk, a vendor zone, a beer garden, and more to celebrate the Day of the Dead in historic Old Town Coachella. Click here to register for the 5k.
When: November 2, 2026 | 5-8 p.m.
Where: Forest Lawn Cathedral City
Forest Lawn, a network of memorial parks and cemeteries, will host Day of the Dead festivities in Cathedral City on Monday, Nov. 2, from 5-8 p.m. Community altars will be available in addition to folklórico and mariachi performances, crafts, face painting, and food trucks. Visitors are encouraged to light candles and share stories of their loved ones.
When: October 31, 2026 | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Where: Desert Memorial Park
Gather with the community to celebrate the departed at Desert Memorial Park, where guests are encouraged to decorate gravesites, enjoy folklórico performances, and come together to celebrate. In past years, paper butterfly decorating and a student art contest invited the community to get hands-on.
When: November 6, 2026 | 5-10 p.m.
Where: Coachella Valley History Museum
Each year, the Coachella Valley History Museum invites adults 21 and older to enjoy a festive dinner, art exhibitions, live and silent auctions, and a costume contest. Bring an offering or a photo to leave on the ofrenda for the night. A tequila tasting helps keep the energy high while mariachis and other live entertainment play the soundtrack of the night.
Want to discover more things happening this spooky season? Take a look at how you can Celebrate Halloween in Greater Palm Springs.