Día de los Muertos 2026: Festival Dates & Photo Booth Tips
Día de los Muertos 2026 celebrations are popping up across the country from late October through early November, with altars, marigolds, face painting and parades drawing crowds in cities big and small. Here's a roundup of what's happening and where, plus a few photo tips so you can capture the day with friends.
At a glance
- Casa Elm — full-day Día de los Muertos event — November 2, 2026
- Museum of the New South — Festival Dia de Muertos 2026 / Day of the Dead Festival 2026
- Los Angeles — 12+ citywide events including altar displays, parades, and face-painting stations (per LA Weekly, LA Mag, Time Out LA)
- Oakland — Annual Día de los Muertos Festival with altars, art vendors, and a procession
- San Antonio — citywide Day of the Dead arts and culture events
- Dallas — Día de los Muertos events listed citywide
Casa Elm's Full-Day Día de los Muertos Event
Casa Elm is hosting a full-day Día de los Muertos event on November 2, 2026, according to its event listing. Since it runs the whole day, you'll have flexibility in choosing when to arrive.
- Tip: Full-day events tend to be quieter in the late morning before the afternoon rush, so that's a good window for photos near altars or decor without a crowd behind you.
Museum of the New South's Festival Dia de Muertos 2026
The Museum of the New South is presenting its Festival Dia de Muertos 2026 / Day of the Dead Festival 2026. Museum-hosted festivals like this often include cultural displays that make for meaningful photo backdrops.
- Tip: Museum settings usually have great indoor lighting for photos — look for a spot near a display or mural where you can stand close together without blocking other guests.
Los Angeles: 12+ Events Across the City
LA Weekly reports that Día de los Muertos 2026 celebrations are kicking off across Los Angeles, with LA Mag and Time Out LA together listing more than 12 events around the city. Expect a mix of altar displays, parades, and face-painting stations spread across different neighborhoods.
With this many events happening at once, it's worth picking one or two that fit your day rather than trying to hit all of them.
- Tip: Face-painting stations tend to draw lines later in the day, so if you want painted makeup in your photos, get there early before the queue builds.
- Tip: Parades draw the biggest crowds — arrive ahead of the start time if you want a clear view for photos.
Oakland's Annual Día de los Muertos Festival
Oakland hosts a long-running Annual Día de los Muertos Festival, featuring altars, art vendors, and a procession. Because it's an established annual tradition, it draws a loyal community crowd every year.
- Tip: The altar displays are often the most photogenic spot — bring a friend and take turns so everyone gets a photo in front of the same altar without rushing.
San Antonio and Dallas: Citywide Arts & Culture Events
San Antonio hosts citywide Day of the Dead arts and culture events, giving visitors several options across the city rather than a single central celebration. Dallas also has Día de los Muertos events happening around town.
If you're in either city, check listings for events near you since the celebrations are spread across different venues rather than one big gathering.
- Tip: Arts and culture events often include craft or art vendor booths — these colorful setups make simple, effective photo backdrops even without a big crowd.
Turning the Day Into a 4-Cut Photo Memory
Whether you're standing in front of an altar in Oakland or catching the face-painting line in Los Angeles, a festival day like this is worth turning into a keepsake beyond your camera roll. After the event, open Hanaduul on your iPhone and use [Shoot solo] to recreate the day's mood with a background from [My BGs], or try [Make your own background] by describing the scene — something like 'marigold-covered altar, warm evening light, orange and purple tones' works well.
If your best friend couldn't make it to the festival with you, you don't have to leave them out of the memory. Open [Shoot together], share the 6-digit room code, and have her join from wherever she is with [Join with room code] — you'll both end up in the same strip, talking through poses in real time. The finished photo lands in both of your [Together] albums.
Hanaduul is available on iPhone for now (free on the App Store, with some features using in-app treats).
- Tip: Shoot in good lighting for the clearest results, and avoid very dark rooms.
FAQ
Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
No — they're different traditions that happen close together on the calendar. Halloween is on October 31, while Día de los Muertos celebrations like the ones in this roundup run from late October through early November.
Can I take a 4-cut photo with a friend who isn't at the festival with me?
Yes. Open Hanaduul, tap [Shoot together] to get a 6-digit room code, and send it to your friend. She joins from her own phone using [Join with room code], and you'll both appear together in the same finished strip.
Do I need an Android phone to use Hanaduul?
Not yet — Hanaduul is currently only available on iPhone, so an Android version isn't available at this time.
What should I bring for good photos at these festivals?
Bright lighting makes the biggest difference, so look for well-lit areas near altars, murals, or decor rather than dim corners. Arriving earlier in the day also helps you avoid crowds behind you in the shot.