Trafalgar Square Festival

7-23 August 2008: FREE spectacular outdoor performance

Trafalgar Square Festival is London’s annual programme of spectacular street arts and performance, set in the very heart of the capital. In 2008 three weekends of extraordinary events captured the gathering excitement as London prepared for the moment of Olympic 'handover' on 24 August. For information about the performers who took part, follow the links below:

Week 1: China Inspires
Taking inspiration from Beijing 08, dynamic spectacle from collaborating UK and international artists transforms Trafalgar Square.
Week 2: Olympics Aspirations
Capturing the visionary spirit of the Olympics, fresh new artistic voices put sport and young people at the heart of the Festival.
Week 3: Images of London
If you think you know London – look again! The final week of the Festival sees artists re-imagining London in surprising and ingenious ways!

A giant screen allowed visitors to the square to follow the action at the Olympic Games in Beijing, from the opening ceremony on Friday 8 August right up to the Olympic handover ceremony on Sunday 24 August, when the Mayor of London received the Olympic flag on behalf of London and the rest of the UK.

Images from past Trafalgar Square Festival performances

Take a look at photographs of some of the stunning performances in the 2006 and 2005 Trafalgar Square Festivals and from events and performances in 2004 and 2003:


Trafalgar Square	Home > Events in Trafalgar Square > Trafalgar Square Festival
Visiting the square In and around Events Trafalgar Sq Festival Forthcoming events Christmas Other events Managing the square Transformation History	Trafalgar Square Festival 7-23 August 2008: FREE spectacular outdoor performance Trafalgar Square Festival is London’s annual programme of spectacular street arts and performance, set in the very heart of the capital. In 2008 three weekends of extraordinary events captured the gathering excitement as London prepared for the moment of Olympic 'handover' on 24 August. For information about the performers who took part, follow the links below: Week 1: China Inspires Taking inspiration from Beijing 08, dynamic spectacle from collaborating UK and international artists transforms Trafalgar Square. Week 2: Olympics Aspirations Capturing the visionary spirit of the Olympics, fresh new artistic voices put sport and young people at the heart of the Festival. Week 3: Images of London If you think you know London – look again! The final week of the Festival sees artists re-imagining London in surprising and ingenious ways! A giant screen allowed visitors to the square to follow the action at the Olympic Games in Beijing, from the opening ceremony on Friday 8 August right up to the Olympic handover ceremony on Sunday 24 August, when the Mayor of London received the Olympic flag on behalf of London and the rest of the UK. Images from past Trafalgar Square Festival performances Take a look at photographs of some of the stunning performances in the 2006 and 2005 Trafalgar Square Festivals and from events and performances in 2004 and 2003: View photos of 2007 Trafalgar Square Festival View photos of 2006 Trafalgar Square Festival View photos of 2005 Trafalgar Square Festival Highlights of Summer in the Square performances, 2003 and 2004	Festival dates/times Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 performances took place in the square from 7 to 23 August on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, starting at 1pm and 9pm.