Festival of the Dead

That first Festival of the Dead in 2022 was a shout in the darkness.  There was Covid, a climate crisis, too much death to ignore.  So we hired a band and we made a giant skeleton and we had a big party on the Common to say ‘yes we die, but here’s how we live!’

In 2022 Ogalussa and Grandpa’s Flute were the inspiration with a Mexican Day of the Dead vibe.

In 2023 we explored the Celtic traditions of Samhain and the Celtic shapeshifting puka who wrecked things and kidnaps the unsuspecting to the ‘other side’.

2024 we went back 4,000 to the earliest story - the Epic of Gilgamesh, the king who refused to die.

2025 our theme was The Unquiet Grave with a special event at Streatham Cemetery.

It’s also always free for everyone to enjoy, usually the last weekend of October.

Now the Festival is a regular event, each year with a different theme and underpinning story, and always about life and death.

This year we are feeling the Crone and the Witch. Events start on the 24th of October with the big gathering on Sunday, 1st November.

Learn more about the 2026 Festival
A woman facing away from the camera, wearing a black dress and boots, conducting an outdoor performance or gathering with a group of people standing behind her during evening or night time. The scene is illuminated by warm lighting, and trees are visible in the background.
A collage related to the Festival of the Dead exploring Samaín: a black and white photo of a group of people dressed in costumes with makeup, a digital logo with a geometric animal design and colorful text, a photo of a table outdoors with vases and flowers, and a photo of people singing or speaking at an event.
A nighttime cemetery scene with tombstones, a statue of Jesus holding a bouquet, illuminated trees with colored lights, a full moon in a cloudy sky, and fallen autumn leaves on the grass.
Nighttime scene of a woman blowing fire with a fire breathing performer in the background, a skeleton figure, and a grassy area with small objects on the ground.
Nighttime scene of a woman blowing fire with a fire breathing performer in the background, a skeleton figure, and a grassy area with small objects on the ground.
Nighttime outdoor gathering with people in front of a brick building decorated with string lights, colorful lights, and a tent on the right side.
Group of people dressed in Halloween costumes at an outdoor nighttime event, with some bobbing for apples or participating in activities, and others in costumes like a skeleton, skeleton with a top hat, colorful decorated skull mask, and a person with a decorated mask.
Group of people dressed in Halloween costumes at an outdoor nighttime event, with some bobbing for apples or participating in activities, and others in costumes like a skeleton, skeleton with a top hat, colorful decorated skull mask, and a person with a decorated mask.
Group of people holding a colorful quilt with text that says 'This is the world beautiful and terrible things will happen.' The second image shows people gathered around a bonfire at night, with some playing guitars and some standing nearby.
Two people dressed in festive costumes, one in a colorful clownish outfit with a purple hat and striped scarf, and the other with face paint resembling a sugar skull, standing in a decorated indoor space.