Day of the Dead in Old Town: what's on this Sunday

Tomorrow, Sunday 1 November, Old Town's Day of the Dead festival takes over Wood Street again. The event is inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos and is a way of remembering people who have died, with bright decorations, handmade altars (ofrendas), marigolds, candles, music and dance. This year it runs from 13:00 to 18:00 and covers Wood Street and the Victoria Road area. The Old Town Business Association, a not-for-profit group made up of local businesses, organises it. Entry is by voluntary donation, with a suggested £1.50 per person for children and adults alike. Running the festival costs more than £5,000, and the street has a capacity of 1,500. Ticket holders get priority access, but anyone without a ticket can still go in if they arrive early.

The afternoon starts with Mexican Dave, who plays from 14:15 to 15:15. Zambalando, a funk group from Wiltshire, performs two sets, at 15:30 and 16:15, with JHS Dance taking the stage in between at 16:00. At 16:45 the Light Parade sets off from the front of the stage and makes its way along Wood Street. The evening belongs to Mariachi Bravo de Puebla, a group from the Mexican state of Puebla, who play at 17:00 and again at 18:00. Their repertoire covers everything from ranchera and norteño to huapango and bolero, so there is a wide range of music across the afternoon and early evening.

If you want to take part in the community ofrenda, bring a photo of someone you miss and place it on the altar. Organisers also suggest bringing a battery-powered candle to carry in the parade, and some people choose to wear smart clothes with skull-inspired face paint. Face painting, craft workshops for children and street entertainment run alongside the music, which makes the day easy to enjoy with families.

The festival is still fairly new. The first edition took place on Sunday 2 November 2025, from 14:00 to 19:00, and more than 4,200 people came along. The organisers sell a Day of the Dead T-shirt for £18, and all the profits go towards funding the event. Tickets and more detail are on the official pages, if you want to check the latest before heading down.