Hollywood Forever Cemetery is not a gloomy place. Founded in 1899, it is the final resting place of many of Hollywood’s earliest stars, and today it is also one of the city’s most unusual cultural venues, hosting summer movie screenings on its lawn, concerts in its Masonic Lodge and the city’s largest Día de los Muertos festival. Swans and peacocks wander its lakes and palm-lined paths, and the Paramount Pictures water tower rises right behind the back wall.
Walking the grounds is free during the day. This guide covers visiting hours, famous graves to look for, Cinespia movie nights, events and etiquette.
In this guide
The cemetery is a short drive from the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and it makes a quieter, more personal stop on a Hollywood day.
Hollywood Forever at a glance
- Address: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood
- Founded: 1899, as Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery
- Entry: free during daytime visiting hours
- Next door: Paramount Pictures studios
- Big events: Cinespia summer screenings and Día de los Muertos in late October
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
A short history
The cemetery was founded in 1899 by Isaac Lankershim and Isaac Van Nuys, two of the San Fernando Valley’s big landowners. Its location next to the film studios made it the burial place of choice for many of early Hollywood’s stars, directors and executives. After years of neglect, it was bought and restored in 1998 and renamed Hollywood Forever, and its new owners began opening it up for cultural events.
Famous graves to look for
Pick up a map at the flower shop near the entrance or use a map on your phone. Notable resting places include:
- Rudolph Valentino, the silent film idol, in the Cathedral Mausoleum.
- Judy Garland, moved here in 2017, in her own mausoleum area.
- Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Jr., in a grand sunken garden with a long reflecting pool.
- Cecil B. DeMille, the director of The Ten Commandments.
- Mickey Rooney, the child star turned screen legend.
- Johnny Ramone, with a bronze statue of the guitarist playing.
- Chris Cornell, the Soundgarden and Audioslave singer.
- Estelle Getty of The Golden Girls.
- A memorial to Toto, the dog from The Wizard of Oz.
Many headstones and monuments are works of art in their own right, from Egyptian-style tombs to an island mausoleum in the lake.
Visiting hours and etiquette
The grounds are generally open daily during daylight hours, and walking in is free. Check the cemetery’s website for current hours, since they can change around holidays and events.
Remember it is an active cemetery with services and grieving families:
- Be quiet and respectful, especially near funerals.
- Do not walk on graves or touch monuments.
- No picnics, drones or commercial photography without permission.
- Drive slowly on the narrow lanes, or park and walk.
Cinespia: movies in the cemetery
From spring to fall, Cinespia screens classic and cult films on the cemetery’s Fairbanks Lawn, projected onto the wall of a mausoleum. People arrive early with blankets, picnics and wine, and DJs play before the movie. It has been running since 2000 and is one of LA’s favorite summer nights out. Tickets sell out quickly; buy online, and pay for parking (about $10) in advance or arrive early.
Día de los Muertos and other events
Hollywood Forever hosts LA’s largest Día de los Muertos festival, usually on a Saturday in late October, with hundreds of altars, Aztec dancers and live music; in 2026 it was held on October 24. See our Día de los Muertos in Los Angeles guide. The cemetery’s Masonic Lodge and Fairbanks Lawn also host concerts and talks through the year.
Getting there and parking
- By car: the main entrance is on Santa Monica Boulevard near Gower Street. There is parking along the cemetery lanes during the day; event parking costs extra.
- By Metro: take the B Line to Hollywood/Vine and walk about 20 minutes south, or take a Metro bus along Santa Monica Boulevard. See our LA Metro guide.
Nearby things to do
- Paramount Pictures Studio Tour: next door on Melrose Avenue, the last major studio still in Hollywood.
- Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre: about 10 minutes by car. See our TCL Chinese Theatre guide.
- Melrose Avenue: shops and cafes to the south and west.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hollywood Forever Cemetery free to visit?
Yes. Walking the grounds is free during visiting hours. Movie screenings and events are ticketed.
Who is buried at Hollywood Forever?
Stars including Rudolph Valentino, Judy Garland, Douglas Fairbanks, Cecil B. DeMille, Mickey Rooney, Johnny Ramone and Chris Cornell.
What is Cinespia?
An outdoor movie series held on the cemetery lawn from spring to fall, with films projected onto a mausoleum wall.
Can you take photos at Hollywood Forever?
Personal photos are fine. Be respectful and avoid photographing funerals or mourners.
When is Día de los Muertos at Hollywood Forever?
Usually on a Saturday in late October. In 2026 it took place on October 24.
Photo credits
Featured image: Gary Minnaert (Minnaert) / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
