Fading autumn in London can mean only one thing for the city-dwellers — winter is coming! The cold, rain, fog and rare snow can make people switch on their hermit modes. Then, what to do about the hankering to be out and about, and experience the capital’s cultural glamour in November? There’s still the late-fall jogging in Hyde Park, watching the leaves rust in Greenwich or enjoying the warmth of pre-Christmas cocoa. But if you find yourself in London in November, there’s a far better solution — celebrate the Day of the Dead festival (Dia De Los Muertos) in Camden, a hotchpotch of about 1,000 private and locally-owned businesses in Inner London.
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Originating from pre-Hispanic Mexico, this holiday has transcended borders and found a passionate following in London, particularly in the eclectic Camden Market. While the heart of the celebration lies in the cities and villages of Mexico, the ancient celebration has evolved from crafting ofrendas (offerings) in homes, churches or cemeteries into a 2-day fiesta with over a dozen international adaptations — public altars, themed dining menus, and grandstanding parades.
Day of the Dead is often billed as the ultimate autumnal fête in London, bringing together thousands of visitors from around the country to the tiny Camden Town area. But why? Keep reading to find out — and learn more about how you can participate in the festival.
Planning a trip to the British capital? Read our essential 10-day London itinerary to craft the perfect holiday.
What is the Day of the Dead festival (Dia De Los Muertos)?
Rooted in ancient Aztec traditions honouring the departed, Dia De Los Muertos is a two-day festival held on November 1-2. Having evolved over centuries, the Day of the Dead is said to have started as a celebration to honour ancestors with offerings of fruits, vegetables, and gifts. It is believed that the holiday was adapted following the arrival of Spanish invaders in the early 1500s, who introduced All Souls’ Day to Mexico, requiring the indigenous people to move their observances to November 1 and 2.
The tradition persisted despite initial Spanish opposition to altar-making, evolving into a mix of Aztec and Spanish influences. Primarily celebrated in Mexico, Día de los Muertos began gaining global attention — especially as people of Mexican heritage brought the tradition to other regions. Today, modern-day adaptations of the tradition include altar building (ofrendas), gravesite decorations, community street gatherings with music and dance, masquerades, and symbolic food and toys.
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Celebrating the Day of the Dead festival in Camden
Last year, near the historic Camden Lock Market in the former Pickfords stables, I ran into Sebastián, a Birmingham-based accountant with Mexican heritage. For the past three years, he would find himself on the Avanti West Coast to spend the Day of the Dead around the borough. “I’m half-Mexican and half-British, and coming here has always felt like home,” he said.
“Living in a big city can be pretty isolating at the best of times since you do not have any sense of community. But it’s not the case if you are in London.”
Just then a boy dashed up behind us and asked if any of us wanted to paint our face to resemble a bare skull, to which we both gladly agreed. Sebastián struggled to remove a giant ofrenda from his work satchel, which he then went on to place alongside a large photo near the altar — bowing his head down to pray for his late grandmother.
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Out on the Hawley Wharf, things were heating up. Children and adults dressed up in skeleton body paint, tuxedos, and flowy dresses started swarming through the market entrance. Around the corner on Regent’s Canal, it was the same story — an entire lane shimming with celebratory spirit led by a giant sugar skull (representing the departed souls). For the Day of the Dead at least, London’s otherwise testy pedestrians and drivers were joyous to be jammed.
As the clock turned to 1 pm, the carnival started moving through the market, gently pushing the audience to make way for a procession of striking skeletal figures cloaked in elaborate, floral-laden attire, each face painted to mirror Mexico’s iconic Calaveras. Taking advantage of the roaring mob, a game of limbo busted out of nowhere.
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How do Camden’s performance art communities remember the dead?
That afternoon I also met Mia at a nearby bar, who offered a unique perspective on the celebrations as a member of the local community group OLA (Organisation of Latin Artists), behind all the cultural extravaganza people get to enjoy. “For us, this is more than just a public event,” she explained. “It’s a homecoming, a chance to connect with our roots and share them with the wider community.”
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As we chatted, a pair of dancers carrying a life-sized, fluorescent La Pintora figurine of a skeleton lady that would pop out from a trigger-locked casket, emerged from the crowd. This dramatic entrance was a highlight of the festival, and Mia pointed to a young boy, mesmerised by the spectacle. “It’s moments like these that spark curiosity and foster cultural understanding,” she said with a smile. “By experiencing the traditions firsthand, people can develop a deeper appreciation for our heritage.”
What to expect for the Day of the Dead festival this year?
In 2024, the festival boasts an even more diverse lineup that supports artists, businesses and Mexican immigrants from across the country. Mariachi el Mexicano, embodying Mexico’s musical soul, will bring the iconic mariachi sound from Jalisco, using a mix of Indigenous and European influences to tell stories. The Mestizo Folklore Group and Catufa Folk Dance will showcase regional dance traditions with colourful attire, while the Colibri Dance Group will represent performances from multiple states. The traditional Atlachinolli Aztec Dancers will honour ancient spirituality through their powerful, rhythmic performances.
If the lineup for the performances was impressive, it is all set to be a free-for-all when it comes to decking up the neighbourhood. The Catrinas Parade will add the year’s vibrant visual display while artisans skilled in sugar skull and flower making will present traditional crafts, and Sound Latino Radio will provide festival coverage, ensuring these local traditions are shared widely.
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How to get to Camden?
Since booking accommodation in Camden can make you feel limited to a certain part of the city, most visitors stay in central London and take the train (tube) to Camden Town for the day.
Metro: The quickest way to get to Camden Market from central London is by taking the Northern Line to Camden Town station.
Bus: Camden has many bus stops, including routes 1, 24, 27, 274, 29, 31, N20, 88, 134, 214, N5, N27.
Taxi: A taxi ride from central London to Camden typically takes around 15 to 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. This is also the most expensive option of all.
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Beyond Camden, where can you celebrate the festival in London?
Unsurprisingly, multiple establishments and boroughs in London (and across the United Kingdom) celebrate the Day of the Dead festival. Beyond Camden, Columbia Road’s annual Day of the Dead parade features a skeleton bike ride. Head to the Day of the Dead-themed brunch at 100 Wardour St. for Latin house, La Fiesta Sunday dishes and bottomless Margaritas for GBP 30 (HKD 301). Wahaca, a UK restaurant group, will compel you to scream “Take my money!” with over 200 locally sourced ingredients and seasonal special dishes.
Hackney’s annual Day of the Dead festival on November 2-3 will celebrate Mexican culture with support from MexiBrit, the Mexican Embassy, and Hackney Bridge. The event will feature a Monarch butterfly theme for 2024, with Mexican market stalls, arts, and crafts, live mariachi, Aztec dance, workshops, parades, and traditional ofrendas for all ages. Ticket information is available at hackneybridge.org.
(Feature image credit: Sneha Chakraborty)
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The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween; it honours deceased loved ones, blending Mexican indigenous traditions and Catholic influences. Halloween, rooted in Celtic traditions, focuses on costumes and spooky themes.
In London, Day of the Dead events range from free community parades, like Camden Market’s Día de los Muertos festivities, to ticketed parties, such as 100 Wardour Street’s Mexican-themed celebration.
Some of the best places in the UK to celebrate the Day of the Dead include Camden Market, Somers Gallery, Wahaca, Manchester’s Dia de Muertos Fiesta, and 100 Wardour Street.
Most Day of the Dead events in the UK are open to all ages, but specific celebrations with alcohol, like those at 100 Wardour Street or Temper Shoreditch, may have an 18+ age limit.
Some similar cultural events include: Diwali, Chinese New Year, Notting Hill Carnival, Hogmanay, and Bonfire Night.
Written By
Sneha Chakraborty
Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read More
