Skip to content 
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
Organized 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.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the event, which will feature music, dance, workshops, storytelling and food stalls serving vegan and vegetarian cuisine.
Diwali On The Square will take place on Sunday 25 October 2026 in Trafalgar Square.
Getty
Khan said: “I am delighted to invite Londoners and visitors back to Trafalgar Square for another joyous celebration of the Festival of Lights.”
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”.
When is Diwali On The Square 2026?
Diwali On The Square will take place on Sunday 25 October 2026 in 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.
The event is free to attend
pa
With dance, music, food, storytelling and opportunities to explore the spiritual traditions behind the festival, the celebration promises to be an afternoon dedicated to Diwali’s enduring message of light overcoming darkness.
What happens at Diwali On The Square?
The festivities will open with a dance sequence featuring 200 dancers in vibrant costumes performing around Trafalgar Square’s famous fountains.
This year’s opening performance takes inspiration from the theme What a Wonderful World, paying homage to the planet and its natural beauty.
The festivities will open with a dance sequence with 200 dancers
Getty
Eight dance groups perform choreographed routines celebrating the five elements, rain, trees, roses, birds, butterflies, blue sky and white clouds, before the ceremony concludes with Louis Armstrong’s classic song of the same name.
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.
Visitors can also take part in arts and crafts, storytelling, yoga and meditation, alongside dance workshops and a range of food stalls.
Ramayana puppet theater 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 handmade puppets, music and narration.
The show draws on the Ramayana, the ancient epic whose themes of courage, friendship, loyalty and teamwork continue to inspire generations.
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.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced the event earlier this month
pa
The event will also feature The Light of the Ramayana, a family-friendly marquee where children and adults can explore the stories and values of the epic through live performances and interactive activities.
The experience focuses on themes including courage, commitment, compassion, duty and justice, and offers visitors a chance 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 that invites visitors to learn about the Hindu goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati.
The experience features two live tableaus of the goddesses sitting in meditation, allowing visitors a quiet moment to reflect on their spiritual significance and the virtues they represent.
This year’s opening takes inspiration from the theme What a Wonderful World
pa
Visitors can also spin the Shakti Wheel, which features nine goddesses including Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali and Gayatri. Participants are given a map that explains the qualities and spiritual powers associated with the goddess they land on, with guidance for implementing these virtues in everyday life.
New for 2026, the zone includes an immersive meditation experience that combines audio, visuals and guided commentary. Visitors are invited to imagine Satyuga, also known as the Golden Age, in the experience described as a place of peace and harmony.
The display will also explore eight spiritual powers and how they can be strengthened through Raja Yoga.
A celebration of community and culture
This year’s event is delivered in collaboration with the Diwali in London Committee, which brings together 13 organizations.
The theme of the committee for 2026 is to preserve the flame, to light tomorrow, to address the empowerment of the youth and the importance of intergenerational cultural values.
A spokesman for the committee said: “Our unity reflects the heart of Diwali: that light is strongest when shared, and that communities flourish when they stand side by side.”
The spokesperson added that the committee hoped to welcome all Londoners to Trafalgar Square for the celebration.
Diwali On The Square is supported by headline partner Remitly, with Lidl and Jio Hotstar as associate partners.
