Los Angeles is the best place to celebrate Día de los Muertos according to data

Did you know that Los Angeles is one of the best cities to celebrate Día de los Muertos in the United States? 

According to a new report by MoveBuddhat, the findings come from an analysis and ranking of 100 cities based on three key factors: Mexican culture, historical sites, and the most festivities.

For those who don’t know, Día de los Muertos is not a Mexican Halloween. It’s actually a two-day celebration (and in some cases more days) that coincides with All Saint’s Day, which is celebrated on November 1st, and All Souls’ Day, celebrated on November 2nd. But most importantly, Día de Los Muertos celebrations happen all over the U.S. before the actual day, with altars, sugar skulls, art, festivals, and even a special sweet bread called “pan de muerto,” which makes the holiday even more memorable for those who celebrate it.

As Los Angeles stood out with a 10 out of 10 in festivities scores in the report, it also scored a 9.7 for its many historical sites and a 7.2 culture score, reflecting 45% of the Latino population celebrating the holiday.These four other California cities also ranked in the top 10 and also offer the perfect places to celebrate Día de Los Muertos. 

In the report, San Francisco is also one of the top cities to honor ancestral and modern traditions. San Diego hosts one of the biggest Día de Los Muertos processions, while Bakersfield shows more community involvement and is more family-centered when it comes to the celebration.

 One of the reasons why L.A. scored so high is because of events like the ones Olvera Street hosts. This year's Olvera celebration lasts nine full days, which makes it hard to outdo the city for its dedication to the Day of the Dead. Located in the El Pueblo de Los Angeles historical monument, the city’s historic hub is a testament to its Mexican heritage. For over 35 years, the merchants on Olvera Street have celebrated Dia de los Muertos. The celebration has evolved to incorporate the pre-Columbian, Aztec, Mayan, and Catholic rituals surrounding death.

During the celebration, the neighborhood’s marketplace boasts Mexican restaurants and street vendors offering holiday classics, like pan de muerto, and displaying ofrendas with marigolds, candles, and photos of ancestors. 

Part of the reason Los Angeles' ranking is so high again is due to its top festivities score, including the largest celebration in the country held at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The event features multiple headlining acts, a catrina costume competition, art installations, and a children's stage.