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La Ofrenda
Altars built by families and local groups, plus a community ofrenda where your loved ones can be honored.
Día de los Muertos night carnival ·
CarnavalCalavera
A night carnival for the ones we love. Candlelit ofrendas and fields of cempasúchil, mariachi into cumbia into banda, folklórico, lowriders, food and the artisans who keep it all alive.
- Date
- Venue
- Tickets
Countdown
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The clock starts the day we announce the date.
About the carnival
Death is not the end of love
For generations, Día de los Muertos has been the time our families set a place for the ones who came before us. We light the candles, lay the cempasúchil, cook their favorite plates and tell their stories out loud, so they can find their way home for the night.
Carnaval Calavera turns that tradition into a night carnival for all of Los Angeles: a shared altar, live music from mariachi to cumbia and banda, folklórico dancers, a lowrider showcase, local food and the artisans who keep these crafts alive.
It is a celebration, not a costume party. Come with respect, come with your family, and come ready to remember.
What to expect
Fill your whole card
Ten things waiting for you on the night. Find them all and shout ¡Lotería!
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El Cempasúchil
Marigolds everywhere. Their color and scent light the path home.
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El Papel Picado
Hand-cut paper banners strung overhead, moving with every breeze.
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La Catrina
Elegant catrinas and catrines, and calavera face painting done with care.
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El Mariachi
Trumpets, violins and voices that make the whole crowd sing along.
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La Cumbia
Accordion, brass and a dance floor that does not quit.
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El Folklórico
Ballet folklórico dancers, skirts in full color and full spin.
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El Lowrider
Candy paint, chrome and the car clubs that made LA famous.
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El Pan de Muerto
Pan de muerto, champurrado, tamales, tacos and local kitchens.
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El Artesano
Sugar skulls, alebrijes, catrina figures and handmade goods from local makers.
Community ofrenda
Who are you bringing home this year?
Share the name of someone you love and miss. At the carnival, names will be honored on our shared altar, surrounded by candles and cempasúchil.
Every name is reviewed by our team before it appears anywhere, here or at the carnival. We never show your email.
The first names will appear here once they are reviewed.
The lineup
Announced soon
We are booking the music and dance now. RSVP at the top and you will hear it first.
Get involved
Build this carnival with us
Sell your food or art, take the stage, sponsor the celebration or lend a hand. Every application goes straight to the festival team.
Vendors: food and artisans
Kitchens, food trucks, panaderías, aguas frescas, and makers of crafts, prints, jewelry and clothing.
Apply
Performers
Mariachi, cumbia, banda, norteño, sonidero, folklórico groups, DJs and spoken word. Show us what you do.
Apply
Sponsors
Put your brand in front of families from across Long Beach and LA, at a festival built on culture and community. Stage, ofrenda, food court and in-kind partnerships are open.
Ask about sponsoring
Volunteers
Help build the altar, welcome guests, guide families or keep the grounds beautiful. Bilingual volunteers are especially welcome.
Sign up to help
Partners
Your name in lights
Sponsor spots are open. Signed partners show up on this wall.
Ask about sponsoringFAQ
Good to know
When and where is Carnaval Calavera?
The date and venue will be announced soon, in the area. RSVP at the top of the page and you will be the first to know.
How much are tickets?
Is it for all ages?
What is Día de los Muertos?
A Mexican tradition with Indigenous roots, celebrated around November 1 and 2. Families build ofrendas with photos, candles, marigolds and the favorite foods of loved ones who have passed, to welcome their spirits home. It is joyful and full of memory, and it is not the same as Halloween.
Can I come in catrina makeup?
Yes, and we would love to see it. Face paint and catrina style are part of the tradition. We only ask that you wear it with respect for its meaning.
How does the community ofrenda work?
Submit a loved one's name with the form above. Our team reviews every submission before it appears on this site or on the altar. You can include a short message. Your email is never shown.
Where do I park?
How do I become a vendor, performer, sponsor or volunteer?
Use the forms in the Get involved section. The festival team reviews every application and will reach out by email or phone.