If you’re looking for a colorful fall outing in Old Town, Fiesta de Reyes has so much to see during Día de los Muertos. La Experiencia fills the plaza with Catrinas, decorated skulls, skeletons and altars honoring loved ones who have passed. Admission to the experience is free, so you can come for the displays without making it a whole dinner plan.
There were honestly so many decorations and photo spots when we visited. We also loved the traditional dancing. It gave us another reason to slow down and spend some time in the plaza.
Watch my Fiesta de Reyes TikTok if the video doesn’t load here.
Take your time with the details
The entrance at Casa de Reyes is framed by tall Catrinas in pastel dresses, with a flower-covered skull above the doorway. Around the plaza, there are painted faces, floral crowns and bright little details that are easy to miss if you’re only stopping for one quick photo.
The official Fiesta de Reyes site also highlights interpretive displays and an after-sunset lighting experience connecting the installations. If you want to see the decorations in a different light, you can plan your visit around the evening.
A giant buñuelo at Casa de Reyes
We stopped at Casa de Reyes, where we had a view of the show and the decorations from our table. Their Día de los Muertos-inspired menu featured a giant buñuelo, and you can see just how big it was in the photo. It practically fills the frame.
Between the decorated courtyard, the drinks and that oversized dessert, there was plenty to photograph without leaving our table. If the buñuelo is the part you’re excited about, check the current seasonal menu before going. Food and drinks are a separate purchase from the free plaza experience.
Plan your Old Town visit
The 2026 La Experiencia runs September 1 through November 2. Check the official Fiesta de Reyes website for current hours and entertainment details before you go, especially if you want to catch a performance.
Address: Fiesta de Reyes and Casa de Reyes, 2754 Calhoun St, San Diego, CA 92110.
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