One of Mexico’s most recognised cultural traditions is coming to Newcastle later this month, as the city prepares to celebrate Day of the Dead, a festival celebrated in different ways across Latin America.
Day of the Dead: When They Come to Visit, taking place at Northern Stage on Friday 23 October, will bring music, dance, art and storytelling to the city in a contemporary celebration inspired by one of Latin America’s most recognisable traditions. The popularity of the event highlights the growing appetite for cultural events that bring communities together in the North East.
The event has been created by a newly formed Latin American Creative Events Committee, bringing together artists, musicians and community members from Mexico, Colombia and Bolivia who now call the North East home.
With every ticket snapped up weeks ahead of the event, organisers hope its popularity marks the beginning of something much bigger for the region’s Latin American community.
Unlike the spooky imagery often associated with Halloween, Day of the Dead is a joyful celebration of life, family and remembrance. Rooted in traditions across Latin America, it is a time when families come together to remember loved ones who have died, sharing stories and creating colourful altars filled with photographs, candles and flowers.
Northern Stage’s contemporary interpretation will invite audiences to experience these traditions first-hand, with an immersive performance taking visitors on a symbolic journey into the afterlife and back again.
The evening will feature live music, singing and dance alongside creative workshops and opportunities for visitors to contribute to a communal altar honouring loved ones.
For Northern Stage Communities Manager Yunuen Pérez, who is originally from Mexico, the overwhelming response demonstrates the importance of creating opportunities for people to share their cultures and connect with others.
“The response to this event has been incredible. To see how popular it has been is really exciting, not just because people are interested in experiencing something different, but because it shows how much appetite there is for celebrating the different cultures and communities that make up the North East.
“For many of us who have made our homes here, traditions like Day of the Dead are an important connection to our families, our memories and where we come from. Being able to share those traditions with our friends, neighbours and the wider community means a great deal.
“What makes this event particularly special is that it has been created by Latin American people living here in the region. It’s our opportunity to share our stories, celebrate our cultures and create something that feels authentic to us.
“We hope this is just the beginning and that we can continue creating spaces where people from different backgrounds can come together, learn from one another and feel part of something.”
The event has been developed by a committee of five Latin American artists and community members working alongside Yunuen. They include Mexican multidisciplinary artist Itzel Toral, Colombian musician and composer Juan Loaiza, Bolivian-born British dance artist Yuvel Soria, Mexican community organiser Gladys Castillo and Mexican creative Mariana Ramírez.
Together, they have created an experience that celebrates both the similarities and differences between Latin American traditions, while reflecting what it means to build a life thousands of miles from home.
For Itzel, the celebration is about much more than the colourful skulls and skeletons often associated with Day of the Dead.
“It is a time when we welcome and remember our loved ones who have passed away,” she explained.
“There can be sadness because we’re remembering someone who is no longer with us, but there is also a lot of joy and affection. Instead of only focusing on the fact that someone died, we celebrate the fact that they lived and that we still carry their stories with us.”
The event builds on Northern Stage’s ongoing work to connect with Latin American communities across the region. Since 2024, the theatre has developed relationships through cultural celebrations, academic collaborations and creative projects, with the formation of the committee marking an important step towards creating a lasting community-led programme.
The committee is already looking ahead, with plans for a Latin American Christmas celebration at Northern Stage this winter.
Day of the Dead: When They Come to Visit takes place at Northern Stage, Newcastle, on Friday 23 October, from 6pm to 8.30pm.