Diwali on the Square celebrations will be returning to Trafalgar Square for its 23rd year on Sunday 27 October 2024.
The event is supported by headline sponsor Remitly and will showcase the very best of culture from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities from 1pm until 7pm.
According to the volunteer-led Diwali in London (DiL) committee, who are in partnership with the Mayor to deliver the festival, over 30,000 visitors attended the festival in celebration last year.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Diwali on the Square is a fantastic family celebration of light and colour.
“It brings together Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds to mark the symbolic victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance with a packed programme of entertainment.
“As global tensions continue to affect us all, Diwali’s central messages of peace and hope are more pertinent than ever.”
Khan also said that by uniting and celebrating diversity, Londoners are showing why the capital is, what he lauded, the greatest city in the world.
The festival will open with a colourful and musical display of 200 traditionally dressed dancers who are set to perform in the centre of Trafalgar Square.
There will be a variety of market stalls and free activities including dance workshops, yoga and meditation, comedy from Soho Theatre, Sari and Turban tying and the Glimpse of Goddesses stall.
A new feature in this year’s festival is the Bhajan (a genre of spiritual songs and hymns) singing space, where groups will be performing throughout the day.
Parul Jani, of the Brahmin Society North London, and Chair of Diwali in London Committee 2024 said she wishes everyone a very Happy Diwali ‘right from the heart’.
Supporting partners of the festival include Dr Nature Chakki Atta, Goldbank, Haldirams, Jaimin, Lidl, Parle, Star Tours, State Bank of India and Watchdog Locksmith.
Accessibility measures have been put into place with all staff and stewards set to be briefed on disability awareness and further information on accessibility can be found here.
The event will be taking place at Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB and entry is free.
Image credit: Keval Tank, WikiComms
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