Old Town Swindon will host its first Day of the Dead Festival on Sunday 2 November, bringing colour, music and international culture to Old Town.
A new community event, organised by the Old Town Business Association, will feature live performances, Latin American food, children’s workshops, a memory “alter”, and a street parade. A central part of the day will be a public ofrenda, a shared altar space where residents can place photos and mementoes of loved ones as a respectful nod to the traditions of Día de los Muertos.
Visitors are encouraged to take part in the celebrations by bringing a photo of a loved one to add to the community ofrenda, dressing in smart clothes with traditional skull-inspired face paint, and bringing a battery-powered candle to light up the streets as part of the evening parade.
Kris Talikowski, Chair of the Old Town Business Association, said: “This is a big moment for Swindon. We’ve always worked to create events that bring people together and give Swindon something to be proud of.
“With Day of the Dead, we’re building on a festival that is world-renowned, but doing it in a way that respects its heritage and makes sense for our community. We think it will be a unique addition to Old Town’s cultural life.”
The Day of the Dead Festival follows a successful summer programme of Sunday Socials and comes ahead of the Christmas Festival on 23 November, continuing Old Town’s reputation as one of Swindon’s main areas for public events.
The festival will run from 2-7pm on Wood Street in Old Town.
Find out more thisisoldtown.com
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