Tower Hamlets came alive for the annual Day of the Dead – celebrating the Mexican festival with vibrant colours, traditional dances, face painting, and mariachi music.
On November 2 every year local residents and businesses in Tower Hamlets come together to celebrate the Mexican holiday on Columbia Road.
Revellers filled the streets dressed in intricate skull makeup, vivid marigold crowns, and embroidered shawls.
Businesses also joined in the festivities, decorating shopfronts with papel picado (traditional Mexican bunting), skulls and flickering candles, transforming the neighbourhood into a vibrant tribute.
Local business Breathe Barbers became a focal point for participants, hosting makeup artists who painted faces with Day of the Dead motifs – from delicate skulls to vibrant floral patterns.
Makeup artist Debra Luker told EastLondonLines: “We just stood up all day painting faces. It’s a great event with a really lovely vibe and I think anything like this is exciting to be a part of.”
Nick Springett, owner of J.H. Lee on Columbia Road, embraced the spirit of the festival by adding papel picado to his shopfront.
“I think it’s good for the profile of the street; I think it’s a really enjoyable, inclusive event. It’s not just for kids; it’s for adults also”, Springett told ELL.
As the festivities kicked off, one of the first performances captured the spirit of the day in front of The Birdcage pub. Leslie Avandeño, a Mexican dancer, embodied La Catrina, an iconic symbol of the holiday, in a performance choreographed by Alondra Galvan.
Dressed in traditional skeletal makeup and attire, Avandeño’s represented the transition from life to death, reminding us that we leave behind superficial things when we pass.
“In the end, when we die, we all are the same – no matter our culture or status”, Galvan told ELL.
Avandeño told EastLondonLines: “For me, Day of the Dead has always been present since I was a kid. I remember in my dad’s place, we would go to the cemetery and spend all night there, and then we would bring music for the dead people and food.
“I think it’s important to remember people that were with us and to celebrate that transition from life to the other side.”
Avandeño added that what excites her most about this event is seeing different cultures come together, each adding their unique interpretation to this celebration.
Following Avandeño and Galvan’s performance, the event moved into a parade through Colombia Road, led by Las Adelitas, an all-female mariachi band.
Anita, the leader of the band, said: “Day of the Dead is a Mexican celebration, so we’re playing Mexican music that includes joyful tunes to celebrate life as well as sad music to reflect upon people and places that we miss or have lost.
“It’s really nice to have an event that’s free, where local people can participate, children are welcome, and where everyone can express themselves and feel part of a community.”
Their set included classic Mexican songs such as Cielito Lindo, with the band especially enjoying the heartwarming Malagueña song.
As the festivities continued, it was clear that the vibrant atmosphere resonated deeply with the attendees.
Attendee Fernando Carrera told ELL: “The Day of the Dead for me is my favourite day of the year. I’m from Mexico, so, for me, it’s like reconnecting with family that is not present anymore, and actually even with family that are present in art, in life, but not with me in this country, you know? It’s kind of remembering these moments.”
Louise Dorner from Austria, found inspiration in the event’s joyful spirit, appreciating how the community embraced this celebration of life. “It never really made sense to me to have this day connotated in such a sad way because I find it very beautiful that you celebrate the life of people in a kind of colourful, happy way, rather than just focusing on the death part and the negative part. I always find it very inspiring, and I’m happy to be here.”
