Hard Day of the Dead
The spooky season hasn’t really begun unless you’re a part of Hard Day of the Dead. This music festival in Los Angeles is worth an RV road trip!
Event information
In the heart of Los Angeles, on the edges of Chinatown, lies the Los Angeles State Historic Park. At most times of the year, this park is a beautiful place to go for a picnic or walk the dog. It’s a stone’s throw from Dodger Stadium, Hollywood, and is even on the doorstep to Pasadena.
But at the beginning of November, this beautiful park is transformed into a spooky horror setting with musical acts, performers, mariachis, costumed crowds, and the odd sugar skull or two. When the face paint is flying off the shelves, it can only mean one thing: Hard Day of the Dead is about to begin.
This 21+ one-day festival spans across two stages and 34 acres of the Los Angeles State Historic Park in Los Angeles, California. Bass, house, techno, and tribal tunes ring out across the park, and thousands of people attend in costume with beautiful face paint to add to the atmosphere.
While spooky is the goal, the festival also pays homage to Día de los Muertos, the traditional Mexican holiday. As a result, attendees can enjoy both a cultural and musical event. This annual event rounds off the spooky season like no other and is located in the bustling city of Los Angeles that has a lot to offer the average traveler.
If you’re ready for a vacation before the stress of the festive season begins, then book your Hard Day of the Dead tickets and get going. This spooky festival waits for no one!
Tickets
When the time comes to purchase tickets for Hard Day of the Dead, you’re spoiled for choice. The best way to buy them is online, and you can choose from general admission or VIP passes. General admission provides you public access, but VIP offers elite features, such as a VIP dance and viewing area, air-conditioned restrooms, cash bars, and a VIP info booth. Start saving your pennies today, for ticket pricing has often varied between $60 and $150.
Explore Hard Day of the Dead RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Driving to and through Los Angeles can take a lot of time, patience, and concentration. Before you set off, consider having all your ducks in a row, such as an address of where to go, a traffic site for vital information such as ABC7, and a full night’s sleep under your belt.
Los Angeles is the most populated city in California and lies in a basin encompassed by deserts, mountains, and the Pacific Ocean. It spans over 500 miles and boasts a beautiful backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains and even Mount Lee with the Hollywood sign on a clear day.
Type 1254 N Spring Street, Los Angeles into your GPS to reach the Hard Day of the Dead venue, but be aware that parking may be limited, especially for large motorhomes like a Class A, or Airstream, or trailer.
Parking areas
There is a small parking lot adjacent to the Los Angeles State Historic Park, but it’s bound to fill up fast. Fortunately, there are on-street parking spaces for small RVs and tow vehicles within a 10-minute walking distance for those who arrive with time to spare. Public transportation from your accommodation in Los Angeles County can often be the best option in the instance of a lack of parking.
Public Transportation
Bus service is in operation across the road from the park, but check the schedule to ensure the times align with those of the festival. Alternatively, make use of rideshare and taxi services from your accommodation for convenience. Often, the best way to get to an event in Los Angeles where parking may be limited is with public transportation.
Where to stay
Onsite
The Los Angeles State Historic Park spans dozens of acres, but there is nowhere to set up your RV overnight. Those who attend Hard Day of the Dead in a motorhome may like to find somewhere to stay with an RV in Los Angeles as near to the venue as possible. Fortunately, there is no shortage of options.
Nearby
There aren’t too many resorts and RV campgrounds near Los Angeles State Historic Park, but if you travel a little further out of the city, they are abundant. Both primitive RV campgrounds and those with service hookups are available within a 50-mile distance of Hard Day of the Dead.
Primitive RV campgrounds tend to be around natural attractions, such as Hermit Falls and Monrovia Canyon Park. Don’t be afraid to travel from outlying cities and townships such as Glendale and Montebello near the Whittier Turnbull Canyon Hiking Trail, for some of the best RV campgrounds are off the beaten track. You can also choose to stick with reputable campgrounds with all service hookups, such as Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey toward the San Bernadino National Forest.
Getting around
Getting around Los Angeles as a tourist can require you to have your wits about you. Public transportation, walking, and biking are some of the most convenient ways to navigate the inner city. But once you arrive at Hard Day of the Dead, your feet will be the most suitable and safest way to get around. Even though the grass venue consists of dozens of acres, the two stages of the festival are well-appointed to everything you need during the festival.
What to pack
Clothing
Los Angeles boasts mostly warm temperatures, with the mercury rising between July and October. By the time November rolls around, those milder temperatures begin to grace the area. You can still get away with shorts and t-shirts for many activities in Los Angeles, but long sleeves are necessary once night falls.
Hard Day of the Dead promotes costumes, so wear something funky and unique that represents you and the weather conditions. It’s worth being aware that these costumes may not contain weapon props, and full facial makeup is best to complete once you’re past security screening.
Gear
Hard Day of the Dead welcomes thousands of people through its gates, and officials have the important job of making sure everyone who attends is safe. While you can pack all your necessary camping and cooking equipment into your RV, it should stay there until after the festival is over.
In fact, a less is best approach is one that can put you in good stead. Bring cash, your ID, and festival ticket, but any unsealed products, food, and beverages are prohibited.
Health & Safety
Hard Day of the Dead officials want you to bring in as little as possible, so they ensure that your health and safety needs are taken care of as you enjoy the event. Attendees can purchase drinking water, sunscreen, and similar items inside the gates. You may bring in toiletries you require during the day, and prescription medication as long as it’s labeled with a name that matches your ID.
If you plan on checking out some of the natural attractions in the greater Los Angeles area, such as La Tuna Canyon Park or Carbon Canyon Regional Park, then don’t forget to pack first-aid supplies and bug spray to accompany your sun safety products.
Where to eat
Cooking
November is a wonderful season to prepare hearty pumpkin soup, stews, and chilis, and these make the perfect type of cuisine for camping as well. They are easy to heat on your gas stove, or even gently on a barbeque grill. Campfires may be lit where no fire bans are in place, and as hosts allow.
If you are yet to stock up on a few grocery supplies, then you will find a wholesale grocer and some convenience stores within a short walking distance of Hard Day of the Dead.
Restaurants
Being outside all day in a festival environment can make you feel famished, but you’ll have that hunger satisfied within minutes of leaving the Hard Day of the Dead Festival. Chinatown is a treasure trove of Asian eateries, where everything from dumplings to egg foo young is on offer. If you travel a little further out in the direction of Santa Monica, then pizza, seafood, grill, and even bar meals are all within a short driving distance.
Vendors
As fans are not allowed to bring food and beverages into Hard Day of the Dead, there is plenty to curb those hunger cravings once you waltz through the front gates. Bring cash since ATMs may not be available, and be aware that not all vendors will accept payment cards. There is also a cash bar for cocktails and other delicious drinks, as long as you show your valid ID.
Safety
Security
Hard Day of the Dead officials take your safety seriously, which is why you will always be within reach of a security official to lend a helping hand. Security guards can help with any queries you may have. They will also be on the gates to welcome you, take your tickets, and undertake a security screening process. Remember to bring as little as possible to ensure you make it into the festival with time to spare.
Weather
With temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees-Fahrenheit in Los Angeles, you may be quite comfortable for the duration of your stay. Rainfall is unlikely, which means that day trips to Topanga State Park and Venice Beach could be in the cards. While you might need a sweater or two at night, you will be unlikely to come across severe weather conditions on your travels. It will be a vacation to remember for all the right reasons.
Medical
Dehydration, blisters, and minor injuries are the unfortunate consequences of many festivals. If you find yourself in need of treatment, Hard Day of the Dead has a first-aid area with trained medical professionals. If you or someone in your group has a serious injury or illness, waive down a security official and dial 911. There is a hospital under four miles from Los Angeles State Historic Park, and a pharmacy within six miles.
