Santa Monica Pier’s free, seventh annual Día de los Muertos celebration will honor Mexican singer and actor Pedro Infante on Saturday, October 31, and Sunday, November 1, with community altars, performances and a classic car gathering centered on the historic Merry-Go-Round Building, according to the pier’s event page. The gathering combines a tribute to a celebrated entertainer with opportunities for visitors to remember loved ones.
A tribute grounded in remembrance
Infante starred in more than 60 films and recorded over 350 songs, according to the event page. His Los Angeles recognition is also documented by the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which lists him in the Recording category and records his star ceremony on February 1, 1994, at 7083 Hollywood Blvd. That honor documents a music-industry recognition in Hollywood; it is distinct from his film career in Mexico.
For the pier event, visitors can view community ofrendas created by local artist and producer Sylvia Sanchez and participating artists. The carousel will be decorated for the celebration, and guests may add photos of deceased loved ones to a communal altar. Organizers recommend bringing copies rather than originals; participants are responsible for removing frames they bring, according to the event guidance.
Local history and distinct regional gatherings
The tribute takes place in a city where local institutions also preserve Mexican American family histories. The Santa Monica Public Library’s Mexican Presence in Santa Monica collection is co-produced with community members and documents family history through oral histories and scanned photographs. The collection provides historical context, but its description does not specify date ranges or neighborhoods.
Other documented Día de los Muertos gatherings offer points of comparison, though they are separate events with different settings. Self Help Graphics & Art held its 51st annual celebration at LA County Civic Center Park in East Los Angeles on November 2, 2024, according to the organization. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes listed a separate Día de los Muertos Family Day at its museum for October 26, 2025, according to LA Plaza. These examples show different documented venues and formats; they are not a comprehensive count or evidence of a regional trend.
At Santa Monica Pier, Sunday’s activities include a noon classic car cruise, a 1 p.m. Aztec blessing followed by a procession, and afternoon music and dance performances, according to the official schedule. The weekend program runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
