Long Beach Revives Día de los Muertos Festival
The seventh annual free celebration returned to Rainbow Lagoon in its original format after last year's cancellation.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Cultural
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Long Beach held its seventh annual Día de los Muertos Festival at Rainbow Lagoon on Sunday, Nov. 1. The free, family-friendly event returned in its original format after last year's city parade and celebration were canceled amid fear of federal immigration enforcement.
Why it matters
The festival's return gives community members a central gathering place to observe the Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 holiday period. Its cancellation last year reflected local concern over immigration enforcement, and its reinstatement marks a return to public observance in Long Beach.
The seventh annual festival marks a return to its original format after last year's canceled city parade and celebration. No attendance or ticket figures were reported, and the extraction does not specify attendance numbers for either year.
The players
Emiliano Torres
Torres served as master of ceremonies for the festival's program.
The details
The free festival featured cultural performances from Mariachi Divas, Tiancho, Vintage Show, Como La Flor Band, Las Chicas Tristes, and Millikan's Ballet Folklorico, with Emiliano Torres as master of ceremonies. A kids' zone offered arts and crafts, ofrenda decorating, face painting, and a musical petting zoo, while food trucks served Mexican, Japanese, and Thai-Mexican fusion dishes.
Timeline
Oct. 31 to Nov. 2: Annual Día de los Muertos observance period
Last year: City parade and celebration were canceled
Sunday, Nov. 1: Seventh annual Día de los Muertos Festival held at Rainbow Lagoon
Legal Context
The festival's return follows the traditional Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 observance period marked in Mexico and Central America. Its cancellation last year was tied to fear of federal immigration enforcement, placing the reinstatement within broader community debates over public gatherings.
The festival is free and open to families, with performances, vendors, a resource fair, and a kids' zone available at Rainbow Lagoon. Attendees can access food trucks offering a range of cuisines on site.
The takeaway
Community gatherings like this one give residents a shared, public space to observe cultural traditions together. Checking local city announcements is a practical way to learn about similar free events.
Further reading
For more on local observances, explore Cultural coverage across Long Beach.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Press Telegram.
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