Forthcoming events

Vancouver in the Square

Date: Saturday 13th February
Time: 10 am–6pm

Trafalgar Square is to host London's own sporting extravaganza to mark the opening of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver.  All are welcome to this free event to see the stunning opening ceremony of the Games on a giant outdoor screen, and try out a range of ‘virtual’ winter sports.

Experience the exhilaration of downhill slalom skiing, snowboarding, bobsleighing and other interactive winter sports games, courtesy of SEGA. Both Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 games consoles will be located in 10 pods on the Square. Those demonstrating interactive sporting prowess will be picked by members of the SEGA team to compete against each other in front of thousands as their virtual skills are relayed on to the outdoor screen. Great prizes will be awarded to the winners.

There will be a four-metre high ice sculpture of the five Olympic rings. Highlights from the opening ceremony will be screened from 10am.

Mayor Boris Johnson said: “Vancouver 2010 is at the end of its long and exciting journey to stage the greatest winter sporting event on the planet. On behalf of London I wish our Canadian friends a fantastic Winter Games. With a huge sense of excitement, tinged with some trepidation, I also welcome the fact that the world is now turning its attention to our capital, as the most amazing sports extravaganza on the planet will soon be upon us. Next weekend, Trafalgar Square will be bursting with excitement as we watch the world’s elite winter sports athletes proudly represent their countries ahead of the biggest physical and mental challenge of their lives. Whilst we can not bring the snowy slopes of Whistler to London, we are offering a fantastic day of interactive fun and competition to the heart of the host city of the next summer games.”