Why visit
Hollywood Forever offers a one-of-a-kind mix of film history, beautiful memorial gardens, and dynamic events found nowhere else in the city. It is equally rewarding for a quiet reflective walk among Hollywood legends and for a festive summer movie night under the stars.
Founded in the late 19th century, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is both a resting place for film-industry pioneers and one of LA's most unexpected cultural hubs. Its grounds feature ornate mausoleums, reflecting ponds, palm-lined lawns, and the graves of stars and studio founders, with the back of Paramount Pictures rising just beyond its walls. Visitors can wander the peaceful gardens, view notable memorials, and appreciate the layered history of early Hollywood.
What sets Hollywood Forever apart is its lively second life as an events venue. In summer, audiences spread blankets on the Fairbanks Lawn for outdoor movie screenings, while concerts draw crowds to the Masonic Lodge and grounds. Each fall the cemetery hosts a massive Día de los Muertos celebration with altars, performances, and art, blending remembrance with vibrant community culture.
History
Established in 1899, the cemetery is one of the oldest in the city and became the burial place of numerous early film legends and studio founders as Hollywood grew around it. After a period of decline, new ownership restored the grounds beginning in the late 1990s and introduced the screenings, concerts, and Day of the Dead festivities that make it a living cultural landmark today.
Insider Tips
- ✦Pick up or download a map to find notable memorials
- ✦For screenings, arrive early to claim a good lawn spot
- ✦Be mindful of any active funeral services during your visit
Photo Tips
- 📸Capture the reflecting ponds and palm trees with the mausoleums mirrored in the water
- 📸Photograph the elaborate Day of the Dead altars and marigolds during the fall celebration
- 📸Use early or late light to highlight the ornate memorial architecture
Before You Go
- ✓A common mistake is treating it only as a tourist site; remember it is a working cemetery, so behave respectfully
- ✓Check the events calendar and buy tickets in advance for screenings and festivals, which sell out
- ✓Confirm what you can bring to events, such as chairs, blankets, or food
Visiting with family
Older kids may find the history and the Day of the Dead celebration fascinating, but always be respectful, as this is an active cemetery where services and mourners are present. Keep voices low and stay on pathways.
Where to Eat Nearby
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Hollywood Forever Cemetery FAQ
Can you visit Hollywood Forever Cemetery for free?
Yes, walking the grounds during open hours is generally free; only events like screenings, concerts, and the Day of the Dead festival require tickets.
Are there really movies shown in the cemetery?
Yes, the cemetery hosts popular outdoor film screenings on its Fairbanks Lawn in summer, along with concerts and other events; check the calendar for the schedule.
Which celebrities are buried at Hollywood Forever?
Many early Hollywood figures and studio founders are interred here; the cemetery and its maps can point you to notable graves while you visit respectfully.
Nearby Neighborhoods
HollywoodHollywood
Hollywood is the world-famous center of American film and entertainment, home to the Walk of Fame, historic movie palaces, and the iconic hillside sign. It's a bucket-list stop for first-time visitors chasing movie history and bright lights. Expect crowds, glitz, and a mix of polished landmarks and gritty boulevard energy.
CentralLos Feliz
Los Feliz is a leafy, hilly neighborhood on the eastern edge of the Hollywood Hills, beloved for its mix of historic architecture, indie shops, and gateway access to Griffith Park. It blends bohemian creativity with old-Hollywood elegance.
More Landmarks in LA
LandmarksHollywood Sign
Perched on the south slope of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, the Hollywood Sign is the world's most recognizable symbol of the entertainment industry. You can't walk up to the letters themselves, but several trails and viewpoints deliver unforgettable photos of the giant white letters against the hillside.
LandmarksGriffith Observatory
Griffith Observatory is a free public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood, offering telescopes, science exhibits, and some of the best views in Los Angeles. Its Art Deco architecture and sweeping vistas of the city, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific make it a must-see for first-time visitors.
LandmarksSanta Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is a historic wooden pier jutting into the Pacific, crowned by the small Pacific Park amusement park and its solar-powered Ferris wheel. It marks the symbolic western end of Route 66 and is one of LA's most festive seaside gathering spots.
LandmarksHollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a stretch of sidewalk embedded with thousands of terrazzo-and-brass stars honoring entertainment legends. Free and always open, it runs through the heart of Hollywood past landmarks like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Dolby Theatre.
Helpful Guides
Hollywood Forever Cemetery on the map
See Hollywood Forever Cemetery and what's nearby in hollywood.
Map pins are approximate and for visitor planning only — they may not mark the exact entrance or parking. Please check official directions before visiting.
Places shown on this map (9)
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery — Landmarks
- Hollywood Sign — Landmarks
- Hollywood Walk of Fame — Landmarks
- Runyon Canyon — Hiking
- TCL Chinese Theatre — Landmarks
- Hollywood Bowl — Landmarks
- Lake Hollywood Park — Parks
- Hollywood — Neighborhood
- Los Feliz — Neighborhood