Festival of the Dead – Ilford Parade

Event Details

Friday October 30, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Redbridge Central Library

Grab your lanterns, masks and glowsticks to help bring Ilford alive in a grand spectacle of puppets led by The Lantern Company, the music of UDM Samba and more!

Take a moment to honour your loved ones and join the celebration of life!

Pre-parade Serenade - from 16:45

Las Adelitas Mariachi Band

Before the parade starts, watch the all-female mariachi band, Las Adelitas warm up the crowd!

Parade Lineup

Lantern Company

Meet the Skellies and friends as they tower over you, dance, play and guide you along the procession route!

UDM Samba

Redbridge Festival of the Dead 2026 is excited to welcome UDM Samba, London’s only dedicated Youth Samba band, to our Festival Parade, playing authentic music from the heart of Rio-carnival.

Day of the Dead Stilt Walker Couple

Meet these colourful characters.
Catch them roaming inside and outside the library before joining the main procession!

This is Mexico! Folk Dance Group

Watch them as they celebrate the joy of Mexican culture through traditional dance.
Catch them roaming inside and outside the library before the main procession!

ITZATNA Arts Monarch Butterflies

ITZATNA Arts will be joining us as ethereal monarch butterflies, symbolising the returning souls of ancestors, life, death and spiritual renewal in Mexican tradition.

The Ilford Procession will gather inside the library 30 minutes before the start of the event.

This project is supported with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

This event is part of our Festival of the Dead Programme – click here to see what else is on!

Date/Time

Friday 30 October

17:00 - 18:00
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Audio Description
  • Free
    FREE
Some options are available at no cost.
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