Music, dancing & free festivities take place Saturday, Oct. 30
Families and friends are invited to celebrate loved ones who have died at Long Beach’s spirited sixth annual Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday and vibrant cultural celebration headlined by Grammy Award-winning Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band.
Día de los Muertos is a lively tradition for the whole family to honor and celebrate their loved ones who had died. Hosted by First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas and the City of Long Beach, the free outdoor festival takes place from 2 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, on Historic Pine Avenue.
“I am so excited to be continuing this amazing tradition and bringing the residents of the First District, and the rest of Long Beach, an incredible opportunity to celebrate Día De Los Muertos safely,” Zendejas said.
In addition to the much-anticipated performance by the prolific Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band, the event includes live music from a Jenni Rivera Tribute Band and The Como La Flor Band paying tribute to Selena. There also will be a showing of the Disney film “Coco,” plus mariachi music, dance performances, food, drinks, face painting, trick-or-treating, a costume contest for kids and much more.
In accordance with current COVID-19 health mandates, masks will be required, and attendance will be limited to guests who can show proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative COVID-19 test within 72-hours of the event. Children ages 2 to 11, who are not yet eligible for vaccines, are required to show a negative test.
City of Long Beach officials are strongly encouraging visitors to get tested prior to arriving to minimize potentially long wait times for on-site testing. If attendees are not able to get tested prior to arrival, there will be free rapid COVID-19 testing at the event entrances.
For more details, including the performance schedule of all activities happening between 4th and 6th streets, click here.