‘The festival of lights’, better known as Diwali, is celebrated by more than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world – and at the end of the month, the biggest annual celebration of the festival in London will take place at Trafalgar Square.
Diwali On The Square is back for its 22nd edition in 2024and comes ahead of the five days of Diwali (which takes place on October 29 – November 3) on October 27 for a full afternoon of fun, food, dancing, and a mass of colour.
Diwali On The Square
A completely free-to-enter event on Trafalgar Square that runs between 1-7pm, this is the largest, most central gathering of Diwali celebration you can expect to find in the city.
Be certain to get down early to catch the opening ceremony, which will feature over 200 dancers performing for 20 minutes, before you head over to one of the nine different dance workshops that take place throughout the day to learn the same moves you see in the stunning displays.
You’ll also be able to take the little ones over to the Children’s Zonewhere they will be able to take part in the Diwali-themed arts and crafts – which include making a rangoli pattern, decorating a diya (lamps), creating traditional Indian jewellery, and face painting symbols. Plus, they can head along to storytelling sessions to hear narrations of Diwali stories such as the Ramayana or Mahabharat.
Elsewhere, you’ll be able to head over to the Yoga Zone and Harmony Zone, check out a puppet show and, of course, try some stunning South Asian food throughout the day.
Diwali On The Square takes place on October 27 at 1-7pm at Trafalgar Square, Westminster, WC2N 5DN (nearest station is Charing Cross). Find out more about what’s going on throughout the day at the event’s website.
