Self Help Graphics & Art’s 52nd Annual Día de los Muertos Season
AN ANNUAL TRADITION
free • all ages • ALTARS • SHOP MUERTOS MARKET • LIVE MUSIC, DANCE, & MORE!
SUPPORT FOOD VENDORS• L.A. COUNTY RESOURCE FAIR • ARTS & CRAFTS •FACE PAINTING
Self Help Graphics is proud to present our 52nd Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration in partnership with the Office of Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Hilda L. Solis on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 3:00 PM-8:00 PM at the East LA Civic Center Park, located at the East LA Civic Center (4801 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022). The main celebration will be preceded and followed by a series of related events across Los Angeles, starting Saturday, October 4, 2025.
This year’s Día de los Muertos season honors the tradition of remembering one’s ancestors and loved ones while embracing Self Help Graphic's commitment to arts and social justice. Our main celebration will feature traditional altars honoring community members, including those lost by systemic violence and the recent LA fires. Altars will also honor activists who have passed away and the social change they inspired by creating a space of co-existence between the living and the dead, inspired by the spirit of activism!
The main celebration will be preceded by a 1:45 PM procession, in which local dancers, poets, and musicians will guide attendees from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to East LA Civic Center Park, where the main celebration will take place.
Continuing the SHG tradition as one of the nation’s longest standing Día de los Muertos public commemorations in the country, the celebration will feature: A danza blessing to honor our ancestors and welcome you to the celebration, community altars by local community members and organizations, live music and dance as ofrendas to our ancestors, Muertos Market featuring local artists and artisans, Self Help Graphics prints for sale, local food vendors, face painting, art activities, and more!
The Self Help Graphics Annual Día de los Muertos season is a family-friendly affair. Always FREE and open to ALL AGES.
Details:
Procession
1:45 -3 PM
Mariachi Plaza
1831 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Celebration
3-8 PM
East LA Civic Park
4801 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
PROCESSION
Meet up at 1:45 PM | Mariachi Plaza
Meet at the Metro E Line 1:45 PM
Procession begins at 2 PM
Mariachi Plaza | 1831 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
* We'll be meeting in front of the Metro Kiosk
In collaboration with Mujeres de Maiz, the procession will be guided by poets, musicians and traditional Danzantes Aztecas on the Metro E line, from Mariachi Plaza in Boyle Heights to East LA Civic Center Park, where the main celebration will take place.
*Metro cards will be provided while supplies last.
FEATURING
Danza Chicomecoatl
Mariachi Los Alanos de Garfield High School
Poets Alyesha Wise Hernandez, Marlene Beltran, Marisol Lydia Torres, and Matthew Cuban Hernandez
Note: The 1st Street Community Block Party, sponsored by the Boyle Heights Chamber of Commerce, will begin at 6 PM. Expect street closures starting at 2:30 PM along 1st St (Boyle Ave to State St ) and Vicente Fernandez Street. Learn more about this and other Día de los Muertos events happening in LA here !!
CELEBRATION
3PM-8PM | East LA Civic Center Park
This year’s celebration will feature live music, dance, and poetry as ofrendas!
FEATURING
DJ José Galván | MC and DJ
Danza Ketzalitztli
Ceci Bastida
Kathy Aldi
Will Reyes
Shuriken
The Pink Fluffy Bunnies
Grupo Marca Infiltrada
El Santo Golpe
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
***
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ***
Location: East LA Civic Park | 4801 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Arrive and park: Take the Metro E-Line to the East LA Civic Center stop, carpool, or park on-site at the East LA Civic Center parking (space is limited and the lot will close promptly at 9 PM!)
Sorry, no pets: Only service animals will be allowed on a leash. While we love ‘fur babies’, we ask that you leave your pets at home.
No alcohol, smoking, or vaping allowed.
Bring water and blankets to enjoy the sights all evening long!
SHOP MUERTOS MARKET AND EAT LOCAL
Support local artists, artisans, and food vendors!
Highlights:
From tacos to pupusas, there will be a variety of tasting experiences to fuel you!
Selected Self Help Graphics & Art prints will be on sale for up to 30% off!
Purchase the 2025 Commemorative Print and other special edition Día de los Muertos merch, designed by artist Gabby Claro!
This year’s Artivistas cohort, SHG and Eastside LEAD’s 2025 Youth Artivism program, will be launching the Raices Sin Fronteras Mutual Aid shop, where all purchases made will support Eastside families impacted by the ongoing ICE raids.
Our Muertos Market will feature local artists and artisans so you can treat yourself (and your loved ones) to some handmade goods!
Featuring artists and artisans like 3 Spanish Flys, Art de Karla, Artemisa Femmes, Artesoros de mi Tierra, SHG x Eastside LEADS Artvistas, Casita de Piña, Craftsgold, Crafty by Mary, Creaciones Lexy, Crystals In Paradise, Dr. Rubin's Pomade, Eastside Press , EVILLUSTRATIONS, Ex-voto design, Gabby Claro, Guadalupe Pedraza, House Of Divinity-Araseli Silva Jewelry, Lisa Rocha, In the Making, Montserrat Espejel, Elizabeth Ramirez, Amy’s Boutique, Javier Orozco, Karla Jacome, Lequar design studios Javier HernandezMaria Guadalupe Oropeza, Marianey Knits and Crochet Megan Rhoden , Mextica, Michelle Herrera, Mis Nopales, Alicia Licerio, Nectar Azul, Hannibal Garcia, Neri Rivas, Irma Herrera, NUBEÀ essential oil therapy, Salvador de la Torre, SHG’s Prints + Merch, SonjiArt, Felipe Dorantes Sol De Cobre, Ronny Flores, Angelica Figueroa , The LA Garden, & more!!!
COMMUNITY ALTAR
This year’s Community Altar by Denise Esparza will be on view at the East LA County Library until November 3, 2025– stop by to see the ofrenda!
This beautiful ofrenda honors the ancestral tradition of remembering those who have passed, celebrating their lives, sharing their stories, and preserving their memory for future generations.
We also invite you to write messages to a loved one and contribute these to the altar! 💫
ABOUT THE ALTARISTA:
Denise Esparza carries forward a remarkable six-generation legacy of altar-making, rooted in her Purepeacha heritage from Guanajuato, Mexico. Her artistry as an altarista and handcrafter is deeply influenced by her mother, Master Altar Maker Ofelia Esparza, whose Día de los Muertos ofrendas are globally recognized, and by her grandmother, Lupe Aviles Salazar. Esparza continues to practice these traditions with her four children and five grandchildren.
On view: Monday, October 27, 2025 - Monday, November 3, 2025
East Los Angeles County Library
4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA
Library Hours:
📚Monday-Thursday: 10 am-8 pm
📚Friday- Saturday: 10 am-6 pm
📚Sunday 1 pm-5 pm
Additional Altars will be on display throughout East LA Civic Park, remembering those lost to systemic violence, the recent LA fires, local activists, and our ancestors. Thank you to all the organizations who contributed an altar this year.
DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS COMMEMORATIVE PRINT BY GABBY CLARO | ON VIEW AT AVENUE 50 STUDIO
Gabby Claro, Justice for Mandy, 2025. Serigraph. Edition of 60. Image: 18” x 24”, Paper: 22” x 30”. Printed at Self Help Graphics and Art’s Professional Printmaking Studio. Photo of print by Eric Jaipal.
This year Self Help Graphics had the distinct honor of working with artist and SHG Assistant Printer, Gabby Claro, on the production of our 52nd Annual Día de los Muertos Commemorative Print, Justice for Mandy, available for purchase on our website here.
For questions regarding print sales, please contact Ashley McClain Vega, Archive and Exhibition Coordinator, at ashley.mcclainvega@selfhelpgraphics.com.
This year’s Commemorative Print by Gabby Claro will be on view at Avenue 50 Studio (3714 N Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California 90065) as part of the exhibition Muertos de Print, curated by Kalli Arte. The exhibition opens Saturday October 18, 2025 and features Dia de los Muertos prints, many printed at Self Help Graphics’ Professional Printmaking Studio, featuring artists Jimmy Salivar, Cielo y Tierra Collective, Agustin Euihua Ortiz, Karl Jacome, Edgar Martiner, Jackie Hernandez, Eduardo Munoz-Villafana, Rayos Magos, Harry Diaz, Maritza Torrea, Grafica Nocturna, Miyo Stevens-Gandara, Viktor Rosas, Jose Galvan Martinez, Xitlalic G.O., Josh Jimenez, Ernie Lucero, Isreal Campos, Kat Tagorda, Ernesto Vazquez, Maliahguiya Sourgose, Kalli Arte Collective, and more!
Read a condensed interview with artist Gabby Claro, where she shares details about her printmaking journey (which started in Self Help Graphics as a S.O.Y. Artista student in 2015!), the process of making the print, and more, here.
NOCHE DE OFRENDA | TONALI STUDIOS
Master Altar Maker Ofelia Esparza
To conclude SHG’s 52nd Annual Día de los Muertos Season, join us for Noche de Ofrenda, an evening where we honor our ancestors through altars, memory, and connection. Eternal Threads, a Día de los Muertos exhibition curated by Andrea Ramirez and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens, will be on view, featuring an altar by Master Altar Maker Ofelia Esparza, as well as other artists.
Sunday November 2, 2025 | 6:00 PM-9:00 PM
Tonali Studios | 4539 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Community Art Workshops in October
OCTOBER 4, 11, 18 & 25 • 12 PM - 3 PM
Sign up to this season’s Día de los Muertos Community Art Workshops every Saturday from 12-3 pm for the month of October! Create beautiful Día de los Muertos crafts to honor your ancestors, including papel picado and paper flowers, and more activities, like painting calaca magnets, modeling clay shrines, and decorating picture frames!
Día de los Muertos Community Art Workshop #1
Saturday, October 4 | 12-3 pm
In The Making | 4024 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Día de los Muertos Community Art Workshop #2
Saturday, October 11 | 12-3 pm
East Los Angeles County Library (Community Room) | 4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Día de los Muertos Community Art Workshop #3
Saturday, October 18 | 12-3 pm
East Los Angeles County Library (Community Room) | 4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Día de los Muertos Community Art Workshop: #4
Saturday, October 25 | 12-3 pm
East Los Angeles County Library (Community Room) | 4837 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90022
GENERAL QUESTIONS & PRESS INQUIRIES
To inquire about becoming a season sponsor or press requests regarding Self Help Graphics’ 52nd Annual Season’s workshops, celebration, and related events, please email Emily Goulding, Director of Advancement at emily.goulding@selfhelpgraphics.com.
For general questions, email info@selfhelpgraphics.com.
VIEW OUR COLLECTION OF DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS
Commemorative PrintS ON OUR ONLINE SHOP
SHG’S Día de los Muertos History
EXPLORE OUR PAST Día de los Muertos CELEBRATIONS
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The 51st Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration, in partnership with LA County Board of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, took place on Saturday, November 2 from 3 PM-8 PM at the LA County Civic Center Park. More information here.
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The 50th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration, in partnership with LA County Board of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, took place on Saturday, November 4 from 3 PM-8 PM at the LA County Civic Center Park. More information here.
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The 49th Annual Día de los Muertos Celebration took place on Saturday, November 5 from 4 PM-10 PM at Self Help Graphics & Art. More information here.
VOLUNTEER
Ready to help? Volunteers are a crucial component to SHG's year-round programming, including Día de los Muertos season.
We have multiple opportunities for volunteers
interested in donating their time to the event.