A street festival inspired by the Mexican Día de los Muertos, with handmade altars, marigolds, music, dance and authentic Mexican street food.
The Day of the Dead Festival takes over Wood Street in Old Town on Sunday 1 November, from 13:00 to 18:00. It's a street festival inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, and it turns a stretch of Old Town into a scene of colour and remembrance for the afternoon.
The whole thing is built around the way the Mexican tradition honours loved ones who've passed away. You'll find handmade altars, called ofrendas, alongside marigold flowers and candles, with music and dance running through the day. There's also authentic Mexican cuisine and street food to eat while you wander. Rather than a mournful occasion, it's framed as a joyful gathering that brings the community together to celebrate heritage and the lives of those who came before, with costumes and lanterns lining the route.
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It's run on a voluntary donation basis, and those contributions help cover the more than £5,000 it costs to stage the event. Ticket holders get priority access, though you can still attend without one if you arrive early. If you're driving, disabled parking is available at the surrounding public car parks. It runs from 13:00 to 18:00 on Sunday 1 November at Wood Street, Old Town, Swindon SN1 4AN.
