Festival of the Dead
Join us for two colourful and memorable days.
This year, inspired by different customs and traditions from around the world, Festival of the Dead will be even bigger and take place in both Wanstead and Ilford.
On Thursday 29 October, you are invited to join us at Wanstead Library and at Redbridge Central Library on Friday 30 October. Everyone (big and small) is invited to come dressed up in brightly coloured clothes or their favourite Day of the Dead inspired costumes to join in with the celebrations and take part in the lantern parade – add some lights or glow sticks and you’ll be ready to light up our procession. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed! With live acts, storytelling, author events, dance workshops and crafts, we have lots of activities planned.
Click the links below to find out what’s happening at each location.
Festival Fringe
We are getting into the festival spirit across Redbridge Libraries with crafts in the lead up to the celebrations! Plus, learn more about Day of the Dead around the world and the Death Positive Library.
Accessibility
We want everyone to be able to enjoy our festival and have taken the following steps to open the festival to a wider audience:
- Live Audio Described parade in Ilford by VocalEyes
- Quiet spaces and relaxed performances
- BSL interpreted sessions (More information to follow)
- Wheel-chair accessible venue and procession routes
- Service dogs are welcome
- Easy read guides
For those who prefer to come when the festival is quieter, we will have limited craft activities available from 12.30pm (Wanstead) and 12pm (Redbridge Central).
Please contact culture@visionrcl.org.uk for more information and if you have any specific access needs.
Content Warning: The festival deals with the theme of death which might be upsetting for some people. The subject will be approached sensitively, and all activities have been designed with family audiences in mind. Although the Festival is suitable for all ages, parental guidance is recommended for some activities.
Photography & videography will be taking place throughout this event.
This festival has been curated by Redbridge Libraries & Culture Development team for Vision RCL. Our festival has been visually inspired by Day of the Dead festivals from around the world and aims to be educational and to show appreciation of different cultures.
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Some workshops and activities are available to book in advance with remaining spaces available to purchase on a first come, first served basis on the day. All other activities are drop in. Please check the information for each activity carefully. During busier periods, we will limit how many people can come in. This is for the safety and enjoyment of everyone.
All craft activities will finish at 4.30pm.
The Wanstead Procession and Ilford Procession will leave their respective library at approximately 5pm. If weather conditions are bad, we may have to cancel the parades at short notice.
Please note: the Parade includes LED and Strobing Elements that may not be suitable for audiences with light sensitivity.
This project is supported with public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The Death Positive Library
Since 2017, Redbridge Library has championed death positivity—an approach that encourages open conversations about death, dying, and grief. Through books, films, art, and tea and cake, we create welcoming spaces to explore these themes with dignity and care. As the UK’s first Death Positive Library Service, we’ve led the way in shaping a national framework and inspiring libraries across the UK and Northern Ireland to embrace this important movement.
