Día de los Muertos celebration at the pier
NOVEMBER 1-2, 2025
Saturday, November 1st | 5:00PM - 8:00PM
Sunday, November 2nd | TBA
Santa Monica Pier pays tribute to the cultural tradition of Día de los Muertos – Day of the Dead– with a two-day public art installation taking place from November 1st through November 2nd, 2025. The sixth annual Santa Monica Pier’s Día de los Muertos Celebration honors people, places, and ideas that are important to Santa Monican’s through free, family-friendly programming. Santa Monica Pier’s Día de los Muertos Celebration is a community-oriented space located inside the Merry Go-Round building, inviting Pier-goers to contribute to the community altar as well as to view the altars made by local artists, Sylvia Sanchez and Yolanda Medina.
The Santa Monica Pier Día de los Muertos celebration is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.
Saturday, November 1st | 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Merry Go-Round Building
SCHEDULE COMING SOON…
Guests are invited to stroll through the historic Merry Go-Round building to view several art installations, including a stunning transformation of the 100-year-old Carousel, adorned with marigolds and papel picado. Enjoy live performances throughout the evening, including the traditional dance of Ballet Folklorico and a serenade by a Mariachi group.
The evening of reflection and remembrance begins with a blessing at the far west end of the Pier, followed by face painting and a vibrant procession led by Aztec dancers that will travel to the Merry Go-Round building.
We invite you to honor a loved one who has passed by contributing a personal photo to our communal ofrenda, a shared altar created by the community. Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite Día de los Muertos attire and take part in the procession.
Be sure to stop by Soda Jerks to grab a cup of hot chocolate to enjoy during the two-day celebration.
*We encourage participants to use copies of photographs rather than originals, frames will not be provided. Individuals are responsible for removing their frame(s) at the end of the celebration. SMPC is not liable for any damages that may occur.
Sunday, November 2nd | TBA
SCHEDULE COMING SOON…
Guests are welcome to return to the Merry Go-Round building to view the community ofrenda and explore several Día de los Muertos art installations honoring loved ones who have passed.
Additional programming and activities will be announced soon. Stay tuned!
*We encourage participants to use copies of photographs rather than originals, frames will not be provided. Individuals are responsible for removing their frame(s) at the end of the celebration. SMPC is not liable for any damages that may occur.
Meet the Artists
Artist and Producer Sylvia Sanchez provides the vision for this year’s Día de los Muertos Celebration at the Pier. For the past many years, Sylvia has assembled altars at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Sylvia introduced the magic of her spectacular altars to the Pier in 2021, giving a special nod to the memories of people who have had a special connection to the Santa Monica Pier, and to Santa Monica, throughout its 115-year history.
“Día de los Muertos is a two-day celebration of remembrance, honor, respect, joy and beauty,” according to Sylvia Sanchez, “We are not mourning death, we are celebrating life! The first day, November 1, is Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels), when we celebrate departed infants and children, who are always so eager and run ahead of the adults before the main event on November 2.”
Yolanda Medina, a retired Florist, was born and raised in Santa Monica. She has a natural ability in all her creations and designs. Because of this, she brings beauty and magic to the ofrendas of Dia de los Muertos. Her love for family and cultural traditions is easily evident in her work and touching to the heart.
We're honored to have Renay Regalado Garcia and Christine Lopez as participants in this year's Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda at the Santa Monica Pier, bringing their beautiful and meaningful tributes to our communal altar. Join us in celebrating their contributions and honoring the memory of loved ones.