News Summary
Orange County, California is set to host a vibrant array of Día de los Muertos festivities honoring loved ones. From October 25 to November 3, 2025, various locations will feature live music, dancing, food, and arts, creating engaging experiences for families. Events will include mariachi performances, crafts, and even a cookie decorating class. The celebrations culminate on November 3 with a grand event at the Irvine Barclay Theatre, showcasing cultural performances and community involvement.
Orange County, California, will celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a series of festivities honoring loved ones who have passed. The events, rooted in Mexican culture, are designed for families and will take place across various locations from October 25 to November 3, 2025. Attractions will range from live music, dancing, and food to arts and crafts, making it an engaging experience for attendees of all ages.
On Saturday, October 25, 2025, the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo will kick off the celebrations with a free event featuring live mariachi music, folkloric dancing, face painting, crafts, and classic car ofrendas. Meanwhile, over at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, there will be a free annual celebration that highlights cultural performances, altars, art displays, and interactive experiences focused on family and tradition.
The festivities continue on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Anaheim Town Square will host family-friendly activities including traditional dances, storytelling, face painting, and crafts. At the Heritage Museum of Orange County in Santa Ana, attendees can look forward to live entertainment, food, vendors, and arts and crafts from 11 AM onwards.
If you’re interested in a creative hands-on activity, a cookie decorating class featuring Día de los Muertos designs will be offered on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Sugar Blossom Bake Shop in San Clemente. The following day, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, the Costa Mesa – Donald Dungan Library will hold a free tote design event for the first 30 participants.
As the main celebration date approaches, Saturday, November 1, 2025, promises a full day of events. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orange will offer a free evening of entertainment with a chalk walk, food, mariachi music, and an altar display. Additionally, the Garden Grove Chapman Library will start its free event at 11 AM featuring skull painting, hot chocolate, and live Aztec dancers at noon. Other celebrations will occur at the San Clemente Library, Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary in Santa Ana, and the Lido Theater in Newport Beach, which will screen Pixar’s *Coco*.
The festivities will extend from November 1-2, 2025, at locations including The Pumpkin Factory in Westminster Mall, which will host live bands and festive decorations, and Huntington Beach Harley-Davidson in Westminster, where visitors can enjoy vibrant art, mariachi, Aztec dancers, food, drinks, along with a motorcycle and art show.
On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the celebrations will conclude with peaceful events such as a free sketching event at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress and a sound meditation event at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa. The Harbor Lawn-Mt Olive Memorial Park in Costa Mesa will host a free event featuring mariachi, folk dancers, a memorial service, and food offerings.
The celebration culminates on Monday, November 3, 2025, with the third annual Día de los Muertos event at Irvine Barclay Theatre, which will feature Mariachi Divas, folkloric dance, free food, and crafts for the public to enjoy.
As these festivities highlight the importance of honoring loved ones through music, food, and community engagement, participants are encouraged to be respectful while engaging with altars and prayer areas. Attendees should wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers, as the events are set to be lively with plenty of family-friendly activities scheduled throughout the various locations.
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Additional Resources
- Sandy Toes and Popsicles: Día de los Muertos Events in Orange County
- OC Register: 10 Ways to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Southern California
- ABC7: Día de los Muertos Events in Southern California
- Los Angeles Times: Día de los Muertos 2025 Events Guide
- Patch: Orange County Cemetery to Participate in Día de los Muertos Celebration
- Wikipedia: Día de los Muertos
- Google Search: Día de los Muertos
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Day of the Dead
- Los Angeles Times: Search for Día de los Muertos
- Google News: Día de los Muertos
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
