October in L.A. isn’t only about spooky season, pumpkin carving, and Halloween parties, but also the month when the city begins gearing up for Día de los Muertos, one of Mexico’s most beloved cultural traditions and one that holds a particularly meaningful place for the city, home to one of the country’s largest Mexican and Mexican American communities.
This month, one of the city’s most anticipated Día de los Muertos celebrations returns in an unusual form: a 5K race that takes runners through some of DTLA’s most historic streets.
Los Muertos 5K is taking over L.A.
The Los Muertos 5K returns to the city on Saturday, October 31, 2026, with the race beginning at 8 a.m. at Historic Olvera Street. The morning festivities start early, with face painting and bib pickup beginning at 6 a.m., and awards follow the race at 10 a.m.
The 5K route winds through several historic parts of Downtown L.A., including:
- 🏁 Main Street (inside El Pueblo de Los Ángeles Historical Monument).
- 🏮 Lower Chinatown.
- 🌴 Alameda Street.
- 🌳 Los Angeles State Historic Park.
- 🌉 Los Angeles River.
- 🏃 19th Avenue (where runners turn around).
- 🌆 DTLA (before the route heads back toward the finish at Olvera Street).
That route means drivers should expect temporary traffic restrictions and street closures along the race course that morning.
Parking is available at several nearby locations, including the Gateway Center Plaza Garage attached to Union Station, which the organizers recommend for most participants, as well as a large garage at 414 E Commercial Street near Alameda and Aliso.
One of the country’s best 5K races
The Los Muertos 5K has become an annual Día de los Muertos tradition in Downtown L.A., with roots dating back to at least the 2010s. A 2017 listing from El Pueblo already described the Carrera de los Muertos as a 5K honoring Day of the Dead.
The race has since grown into a major community event, drawing around 3,400 participants in a recent edition. It also earned national recognition when USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards ranked it No. 4 among the country’s best 5K races.
Registration is required, with the 5K currently priced at $64, including fees, before increasing to $69 on October 23. Kids 12 and under can register for the youth race for $49, while a virtual option is also available. Registration is available online through the official Los Muertos 5K website. Every finisher receives a race T-shirt and medal, and Día de los Muertos-inspired costumes and face paint are encouraged.
