Hailing from Mexico, The Day of the Dead (or Dia De Los Muertos) is a multi-day holiday and family celebration honouring the dead on the 1st and 2nd November, but with events often spanning from 31st October to the 6th November as well.
Whether you're after something a little different for Halloween or authentic events celebrating the Day of the Dead festival 2026 in London, find them in our guide of recommended events, tickets and restaurant food.
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@ Gambit Bar on Sat, 31st Oct 2026 @ 21:00 - 3:00
Gabit Bar is teaming up with Don Julio to bring you a Day of the Dead celebration this year, promising late-night dancing and live DJs. They'll be playing all the best disco tunes until 3am.
Fancy dress is optional, and you can even get involved in themed face painting throughout the night - as well as tarot readings.
@ Savage Garden on Fri, 30th Oct 2026 @ 20:30 - 2:00
Head up to the stunning venue Savage Garden for their Day of the Dead rooftop party. This promises to be filled with music, dancing and Mexican culture, complete with live dancers, DJs and a traditional Mariachi band.
There'll also be a specially created Mexican food menu for the evening, and there's even a £150 voucher prize for the best costume. Of course, you'll enjoy views of the city skyline as well.
@ Fleets on Fri, 30th Oct 2026 @ 17:00 - 22:00
St Paul's venue Fleets are hosting a London Day of the Dead party, and it's totally free to attend. There'll be a DJ playing from 6pm until late, alongside live fire performers and more.
You'll get a free welcome cocktail with your ticket, with all kinds of creative sips to try throughout the evening.
@ Westminster Pier on Friday 30th October 2026
A Mexican Day of the Dead boat party will be setting off from Westminster Pier this Halloween, promising two fully themed decks with well-stocked bars. You'll get to see all the sights along the Thames, while partying to live DJs.
There'll be face painters on board, as well as affordable drinks. You can find an optional pre-party on the pier from 6pm, as well as a free after party.
Across their venues in the City and Notting Hill, Los Mochis are hosting a whole weekend of Day of the Dead events. Expect themed decor, alongside live music, DJs and Mexican-inspired food and drink.
Expect multiple nights that will have you up and dancing, including a mariachi band on the Sunday afternoon. They've also got Day of the Dead specials, such as a Rosita Negroni or an exclusive spiced pumpkin and dark chocolate dessert.
@ Chino Latino on Sat, 31st Oct 2026 @ 18:00 - 22:00
Swap fake cobwebs for fabulous food at Chino Latino, where Day of the Dead celebrations are taking over Park Plaza London Riverbank from 6pm to 10pm. Your £74.20 ticket covers an indulgent set menu of Red Dragon Roll, lobster and prawn tacos, Chilean seabass and Suspiro de Limeña.
Expect music performed live, decorative face art and a polished Thames-side setting made for a memorable evening.
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) falls on 1st and 2nd November every year — in 2026, that's Sunday 1st and Monday 2nd November. Many London events begin earlier, spanning from 31st October through to the first week of November, so there's plenty of opportunity to celebrate across the weekend.
They're two distinct celebrations. Halloween, celebrated on 31st October, has Celtic origins and centres on costumes, scares, and the supernatural. Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition rooted in Aztec culture, observed on 1st–2nd November, and is a joyful, colourful celebration of deceased loved ones — not a festival of fear. Families build altars (ofrendas) decorated with marigolds, candles, photographs, and food to welcome spirits back. While the dates overlap, the tone and meaning are very different.
Not always, but many events encourage it — and dressing up in Día de los Muertos-inspired face paint or skeleton costumes is a big part of the atmosphere. Some ticketed parties actively reward the best-dressed guests with prizes. Check individual event listings for dress code details before you book.
London's Día de los Muertos celebrations span a wide range of experiences: themed restaurant menus and tasting nights, rooftop parties with live DJs and mariachi bands, face painting, communal altars (ofrendas), and immersive cocktail events. Events are spread across the city and typically run from 31st October through to early November. This guide covers the best of what's on, from intimate dinners to large-scale parties.
