Day of the Dead in London: Where to celebrate the Mexican festival

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Ailis Brennan31 October 2018

If Halloween has got you all spooked out over ghosts and zombies and the like, maybe you need to take a tip from the Mexicans.

In Mexico, there's certainly no hiding behind the sofa this week, as the turn of October means its time for Day of the Dead celebrations.

Known in its native tongue as Dia de Muertos, the Aztec-originating festival turns the idea of mourning the dead on its head, and focuses instead on celebrating the spiritual journey of deceased loved ones.

Such an important journey deserves a pretty serious fiesta, with Mexicans traditionally dressing up to the nines, constructing elaborate marigold-adorned shrines and making offerings of food to the dead.

If you're a Mexican in London, or simply keen to get involved, there's no need to book a last minute flight London venues are bringing all the fun of the fiesta to the capital. Here's where to get your ghoul on this Day of the Dead.

Frida Kahlo festival at V&A Museum

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The V&A have been celebrating one of Mexico’s greatest icons for months now, and they’re not stopping for Day of the Dead. The museum has extended its run of its Frida Kahlo: Making Her Self Up exhibition to November 8, and will have the exhibition open non-stop for 48 hours between November 2-4. They’ll also be hosting a free Mexican fiesta on the Friday night, with performances, workshops and DJ sets, all surrounding a traditional ofrenda (offering) to Kahlo, designed by artist Humberto Spinolda.

Cromwell Road, Knightsbridge, SW7 2RL, vam.ac.uk

Jose Cuervo party at 93 Feet East

Jose Cuervo Tradicional tequila are bringing the party to the East End, with an Instagrammably immersive night at 93 Feet East. The Land of the Dead party at the Shoreditch bar will feature theatrical performances around Dia de Muertos traditions, music from both DJ Goldierocks and a mariachi band, a make-up artist, and a tequila bar covered in traditional marigold flowers. The best news? It's free entry, you’ll also get two tequila cocktails on the house, and there’ll be chances to win free drinks throughout the night.

150 Brick Lane, Shoreditch, E1 6QL, designmynight.com

Bottomless candlelit dinner at Cantina Laredo

Embrace the darkness at Cantina Laredo where a special four-course dinner will be served by candlelight alongside unlimited drinks. Choose between cocktails, wine or beer and tuck into grasshopper topped guacamole (seriously), aubergine tostadas and duck tacos. Be sure to leave room for the The Dangerou Don dessert, which features a coconut tres leches filled Cronut topped with a melting chocolate skull.

10 Upper St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, WC2H 9FB, cantinalaredo.co.uk

Tequila bingo brunch at Corazon

The words “tequila”, “bingo” and “brunch” are three words we’re quite happy to hear together any time of year. Cazcabel tequila are in charge of proceedings at Corazon on November 4, where brunch will be served with a side of La Loteria, a Mexican bingo game in which you’ll have the chance to win prizes. £15 will get you a drink, main course, sharing sides and your entry into the bingo, with Cazcabel cocktails on offer for just £5.

29 Poland Street, Soho, W1F 8QR, designmynight.com

Storytelling at Crick Crack Club

If your looking for some spooky stories to tell on your next camping trip, you can find inspiration at Crick Crack Club’s Day of the Dead event at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green on November 1. Three raconteurs from the storytelling organisation will be regaling tales of rituals, dead ancestors, cheating Death and throwing a bit of a party. Tickets start at £9 and beware, this slightly scary event is for over 14s only.

35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, E1 6LA, richmix.org.uk

Mexican party at Big Easy

Party starters Big Easy will be heading a little further south down the Americas than usual this week, embracing all things Mexican for a serious fiesta. The party actually takes place on Halloween – October 31 – but will be packed with a mexican menu, fancy dress, two for one drinks available all night, both a pinata competition and a raffle, as well as a mariachi band to get the fiesta going.

All Big Easy locations, bigeasy.co.uk

Art of Patrón party at Unit Gallery

Patrón Tequila will be hosting an arty party at Unit gallery in Mayfair, a cocktail-filled fiesta with an artistic edge. Alongside mixology masterclasses and cocktails, Mexican performance artist Pablo Angel Lugo Martinez will be showcasing his work, with make-up connoisseurs Gypsy Shrine on hand to add some ghoulish glam to your attire while you listen to DJ Tasty Lopez on the decks. Tickets are £15 and include three cocktails and a masterclass.

3 Hanover Square, Mayfair, W1S 1HD, eventbrite.co.uk

Immersive dinner at Wahaca

Maestra of Mexican food Thomasina Miers will be personally taking the reigns at this special dinner at the Soho branch of her Wahaca restaurants. The immersive night on will see dinner guests treated to traditional live music and dishes including trout and passion fruit ceviche and rabbit and partridge picadillo, all while surrounded by Bloom & Wild flower installations. Tickets for the night on November 1 are £50. If you can’t make it, you can also tuck into a Day of the Dead feasting menu at all Wahaca locations until November 4.

The Azulito Bar Lower Ground Floor, 80 Wardour Street, Soho, W1F OTF wahaca.co.uk

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