Diwali On The Square returns to trafalgar square this month with 200 dancers, live performances, family-friendly activities and a celebration of the Festival of Lights
Organised in partnership with the volunteer-led Diwali in London committee, the event will bring together people of all backgrounds to celebrate the traditions and cultural heritage of London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.
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The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the event, which will feature music, dance, workshops, storytelling and food stalls serving vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
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Khan said: “I am delighted to invite Londoners and visitors back to Trafalgar Square for another joyful celebration of the Festival of Lights.”
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He described the event as a highlight of the capital's cultural calendar, adding that Diwali carries a message that “light will always triumph over darkness, good will defeat evil, and compassion and goodwill can overcome division and despair”.
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When is Diwali On The Square 2026?
Diwali On The Square will take place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at Trafalgar Square in central London.
The event is free to attend and will run from 1pm to 7pm, with activities and performances suitable for families and visitors of all backgrounds.
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With dance, music, food, storytelling and opportunities to explore the spiritual traditions behind the festival, the celebration promises an afternoon dedicated to Diwali's enduring message of light overcoming darkness.
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What is happening at Diwali On The Square?
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The celebrations will open with a dance sequence featuring 200 dancers in vibrant costumes performing around Trafalgar Square's famous fountains.
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This year's opening performance takes inspiration from the theme What a Wonderful World, paying tribute to the planet and its natural beauty.
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Eight dance groups will perform choreographed routines celebrating the five elements, rain, trees, roses, birds, butterflies, blue skies and white clouds, before the ceremony concludes with Louis Armstrong's classic song of the same name.
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Throughout the afternoon, the main stage will host music, dance and performances celebrating the creativity and cultural heritage of London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.
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Visitors will also be able to take part in arts and crafts, storytelling, yoga and meditation, alongside dance workshops and a range of food stalls.
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Ramayana puppet show brings Diwali story to life
Families can discover the story behind Diwali through StoryHour UK's Ramayana Puppet Show, a 15-minute performance featuring six handcrafted puppets, music and narration.
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The show draws on the Ramayana, the ancient epic whose themes of courage, friendship, loyalty and teamwork continue to inspire generations.
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StoryHour UK said the story reflects the festival's message of good triumphing over evil, while celebrating the importance of community and supporting one another.
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The event will also feature The Light of the Ramayana, a family-friendly marquee where children and adults can explore the epic's stories and values through live performances and interactive activities.
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The experience will focus on themes including courage, devotion, compassion, duty and righteousness, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the cultural and spiritual significance of Diwali.
Meet the goddesses at Glimpse of Goddesses
Another returning attraction is Glimpse of Goddesses, an interactive display inviting visitors to learn about the Hindu goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati.
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The experience features two live tableaux of the goddesses seated in meditation, allowing visitors a quiet moment to reflect on their spiritual significance and the virtues they represent.
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Visitors can also spin the Shakti Wheel, which features nine goddesses, including Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali and Gayatri.
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Participants will receive a card explaining the qualities and spiritual powers associated with the goddess they land on, with guidance on how to apply those virtues in everyday life.
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New for 2026, the zone will include an immersive meditation experience combining audio, visuals and guided commentary.
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Visitors will be invited to imagine Satyuga, also known as the Golden Age, described in the experience as a place of peace and harmony.
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The display will also explore eight spiritual powers and how they can be strengthened through Raja Yoga.
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This year's event is being delivered in partnership with the Diwali in London committee, which brings together 13 organisations.
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The committee's theme for 2026 is Preserving the flame, illuminating tomorrow, focusing on youth empowerment and the importance of passing cultural values between generations.
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A spokesperson for the committee said: “Our unity reflects the very heart of Diwali: that light is strongest when it is shared, and that communities flourish when they stand side by side.”
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The spokesperson added that the committee hoped to welcome every Londoner to Trafalgar Square for the celebration.
Diwali On The Square is supported by headline partner Remitly, with Lidl and Jio Hotstar as associate partners.
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The Aporia
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