London's Day of the Dead 2026
- Saturday 31 October 2026 from 12pm. Procession at 2pm.
Columbia Road marks London's Day of the Dead on Saturday 31 October with an afternoon of music, dance, colourful costumes and a street procession. Inspired by Mexico's Día de los Muertos, the free community celebration brings people together to remember loved ones and celebrate life. Visitors can enjoy performances from all-female mariachi band Las Adelitas, traditional Mexican-inspired dance and the return of the Colour Walk, with its striking costumes and creative outfits. The main procession begins at 2pm, filling Columbia Road with music and colour.
The celebrations begin at midday, with a market in the Columbia Primary School playground offering food, drinks and crafts, alongside a pop-up beauty parlour where visitors can have their faces painted for the occasion. There will also be opportunities to meet people working in bereavement and end-of-life care, encouraging open conversations about death and remembrance. A family-friendly cycle ride takes place earlier in the day, while additional events at Bethnal Green Library and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park form part of the wider programme. Everyone is welcome to join the celebrations, whether taking part in the procession or simply enjoying the atmosphere.