Day of the Dead comes to London

The UK Mexican Arts Society is delighted to bring back the most incredible Mexican celebration to the heart of London for the second time: Dia de Muertos, A Celebration of Life: the biggest festival of the Day of the Dead outside Mexico. 

Expect:  Culture, live music, Mexican street market, children & adults workshops, art, crafts, design, face Painting, films, poetry, dance and many other great surprises.

Ossulston Street will once again close for pedestrian use, to host a vast array of Mexican Market stalls including arts, crafts and clothing as well as London’s most famous Mexican Food and drink stalls, transporting everyone who passes by, straight to Mexico.

The market will be decorated for the occasion with plenty of installations by local and Mexican artists celebrating life as we walk along. You will encounter a parade and live performers as you pass by, leading to the stage showcasing wonderful Mexican & Latino contemporary and traditional music with live bands and DJs curated by London’s Movimientos.

The Story Garden is the magical space where a community  altar will be created by Local School Maria Fidelis, UNAM-UK and anyone wishing to participate. Taste warm Pan de Muerto and learn how to bake this traditional sweet bread. Try it with hot chocolate made with pure cacao from Mexico.  

Story time and art activities for children and adults will be running from 11 am to 5 pm. Help to paint a new mural for the story garden and cleanse your soul and body with copal and herbs in the circle of the garden.

The Living Centre will be the space for dressing up for Catrinas and Catrines, the fascinating lady and gentleman skulls everyone can become. the character of La Catrina has become an icon of the Mexican Día de Muerto originally created by Jose Guadalupe Posada and later named and painted dressed up by Diego Rivera in one of his murals.

Francis Crick Institute will be presenting the much loved film Coco for all audiences.

Although the festival only lasts for one day we will be hosting several workshops and meetings weeks before the festival. With Mexican artists working in collaboration with communities and schools in the area.

At the festival we will be inviting everyone to learn to set up an ‘ofrenda’ and take elements from the festival market to create their very own, their very own offering to their loved ones who passed away at home, at work or with their community groups and work colleagues. Everyone, no matter where in the UK they live, will be able to enter our ofrenda competition to win a round trip to La Paz, Baja California with accommodation, excursion and flights for two courtesy of Mexico’s airline Aeromexico, Visit La Paz and Perceb 110.

The full day’s activities and programme will be released the week of the event.

The Day of the Dead Festival is organised in collaboration with Somers Gallery and The Mexican Embassy in the UK, the Story Garden, the Francis Crick Institute, The Living Centre, Maria Fidelis School, Movimientos, and other partners. 

Supported by: Camden Council

Sponsors : Blanco Niño, Cholula Sauce, 110 Perceb Ltd,  Aeroméxico, Visit La Paz – Baja California Sur, Tajín and Mexgrocer.

Watch last years’ event aftermovie: here

Visit the gallery: here

For press and enquiries contact Paola Feregrino: paola@ukmexicanartssociety.org