Key information
Date: Saturday 06 April 2024
Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB
Cost: Free
About the event
Join us at Trafalgar Square to celebrate Vaisakhi.
One of the biggest festivals in the Sikh calendar, Vaisakhi, celebrates Sikh and Punjabi tradition, heritage, culture, and the birth of the Khalsa (modern day Sikhism).
The event hosts an exciting main stage line up, demonstrations of Gatka (martial arts), turban tying workshops, educational talks, community, and food stalls and a host of family friendly activities for all to enjoy. There will also be free light bites and Langar (Indian tea).
This year’s event also marks the 40th anniversary of the 1984 genocide in India.
Supported by the Vaisakhi Community Advisory Group, this festival offers a great opportunity to learn about Sikh heritage and history.
Happy Vaisakhi.
Apply for a stall
Applications to hire a community, charity, commercial, or catering stall at this year's event are now open.
Application deadline — Sunday 10 March 2024 at 11:59 pm.
Sponsorship opportunities
If you are interested in sponsoring Vaisakhi, please do get in touch at [email protected] for more information.
What is Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It represents the establishment of the Khalsa Panth (Nation) by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
A principle passed on by Guru Gobind Singh Ji was recognising the whole human race as one – regardless of faith, background or gender.
For many Vaisakhi represents the birth of the Sikh identity.
Specifically, Vaisakhi is marked by a Nagar Kirtan. This is a procession of the Sikh community from one gurdwara (temple) to another. It often features spiritual hymns (kirtan), langar (food) and Gatka, a Sikh martial art.