London | Halloween & Day of the Dead | 24 October – 1 November 2026
This half-term, The Yards Covent Garden is celebrating Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) and Halloween with a colourful programme of free trails, live performance, workshops and seasonal food and drink. It runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026 across the open-air courtyards between Long Acre, Neal Street and Shelton Street.
Here are five things to do.
1. Follow the free Calavera Skull Trail
Six original Calavera skull characters are hidden around The Yards, each with its own name, personality and story. Pick up a trail passport at Fair Shot Cafe, find every skull and collect the first letter of each name. The skulls are placed out of order, so you will need to unscramble the six letters to reveal a secret celebration word. It is a fun way for families to learn about one of Mexico’s most important traditions, and children who complete the trail can claim a £1.50 hot chocolate at Fair Shot.
2. Watch the Thriller flash mob
On Friday 30 October from 6pm to 7pm, The Yards brings New York’s famous Thriller flash mob to London. Twenty professional dancers in frightening costumes and elaborate face paint will perform throughout the courtyards to live music. Arrive a little early to find a good spot.
3. Paint your own Calavera skull
Get creative at the Calavera skull painting and decorating workshop on Friday 30 October from 10am to midday, upstairs at Fair Shot Cafe. Families and creative adults can design their own colourful Day of the Dead-inspired keepsake to take home. Book the skull painting workshop.
4. Tuck into seasonal food and drink
Restaurants and cafés across The Yards are joining in. Badiani has a striking Black Buontalenti gelato with raspberry sauce, Toffee Apple gelato and Halloween coffee specials, plus an augmented reality trick that reveals gargoyles and gravestones when you point your phone at selected gelato. Le Bab is serving three Day of the Dead cocktails and an El Pastor-inspired kebab, Ukiyo pairs its Sansho Picante cocktail with salmon and wagyu tacos, and Fair Shot has a Pumpkin Spiced Latte throughout.
5. Take the Halloween Perfect Pour Challenge
From 26 to 31 October, walk in to Guinness Open Gate Brewery London from 7.30pm, step behind the bar and try to master the famous 119.5-second Guinness pour, with prizes for the best pints. Shoppers are catered for too: Pineapple is giving a free cross-body bag with purchases over £35 during the celebrations (terms apply).
Budding filmmakers can also book London Film School’s “how to make a horror film in a weekend” workshop on 17 and 18 October (£200, all props and equipment provided).
Plan your visit
Día de los Muertos and Halloween at The Yards
Saturday 24 October – Sunday 1 November 2026
The Yards Covent Garden, between Long Acre, Neal Street and Shelton Street, London WC2
Calavera Skull Trail: free, pick up a passport at Fair Shot Cafe
Thriller flash mob: Friday 30 October, 6pm–7pm, free
You might also like: 5 Things to Do in High Street Kensington This Halloween 2026 and 5 Reasons to Visit Hobbledown Epsom for Pumpkins, Play and Family Adventure.