Celebrate Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, on Los Angeles’ best bike tour, and only bike tour in downtown LA, Handlebar Bike Tours. Dia De Los Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. Día de los Muertos is not a day of mourning, but rather a celebration of life and the belief that death is simply a transition to another state of being. On a Handlebar Bike Tour, you will definitely see some Day of the Dead celebrations. Especially on our Historic Core and More bike tour, one of LA’s best bike tours.
Los Angeles is home to a large Mexican-American population, and Día de los Muertos is one of the most important holidays of the year for many Angelenos. There are many different ways to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles, but two of the most popular destinations are Grand Park and Olvera Street.
Grand Park
Grand Park hosts an annual Día de los Muertos celebration that is free and open to the public from October 21-November 2. Once again, our Historic Core and More Tour, and Skyline Twilight Tour go through Grand Park. The event features a variety of activities, including:
- Ofrendas (altars): Ofrendas are traditional Día de los Muertos altars that are decorated with photos of deceased loved ones, as well as their favorite foods, drinks, and other items. Visitors to Grand Park can view a variety of ofrendas created by local artists and community groups.
- Live entertainment: Grand Park’s Día de los Muertos celebration also includes a variety of live entertainment, such as traditional Mexican music and dance performances.
- Children’s activities: There are also a variety of children’s activities available at Grand Park’s Día de los Muertos celebration, such as face painting and crafts.
Olvera Street
Olvera Street is a historic Mexican marketplace in downtown Los Angeles. It is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in Los Angeles, and it has been celebrating Día de los Muertos for over 35 years. The only downtown Los Angeles bike tour to visit Olvera Street is our Historic Core and More Tour. This tour even takes a break here, giving you more time to admire the artistic, thoughtful and authentic offerendas,
Olvera Street’s Día de los Muertos celebration features many of the same activities as Grand Park’s celebration, including ofrendas, live entertainment, and children’s activities October 25- November 1st. However, Olvera Street’s celebration also has a few unique features, such as:
- Nightly procession: Each night during Olvera Street’s Día de los Muertos celebration, there is a traditional Aztec procession that winds its way through the marketplace. The procession features Aztec dancers, singers, and musicians.
- Traditional Mayan blessing: Before and after the nightly procession, there is a traditional Mayan blessing ceremony.
- Free food and drinks: On the last night of Olvera Street’s Día de los Muertos celebration, visitors are treated to free sweet bread and beverages.
Tips for celebrating Día de los Muertos at Grand Park and Olvera Street
Here are a few tips for celebrating Día de los Muertos at Grand Park and Olvera Street:
- Dress up: Día de los Muertos is a time to celebrate life, and many people dress up in colorful costumes and skull makeup.
- Bring an offering: If you are visiting an ofrenda at Grand Park or Olvera Street, you can bring a small offering to place on the altar. Traditional offerings include flowers, food, drinks, and photos of deceased loved ones.
- Be respectful: Día de los Muertos is a sacred holiday for many people, so it is important to be respectful of the traditions and customs.
Whether you are looking for a family-friendly event or a more traditional celebration, Grand Park and Olvera Street are two great places to experience Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles. Our Historic Core and More Tour, Los Angeles’ best bike tour visits both!