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Diwali Festival 2018

Diwali 2016

Please note that this event has already occured.

Key information

Date: Sunday 28 October 2018

Time: 1:00pm to 7:00pm

Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB

Cost: Free

Come and celebrate Diwali, the Hindu, Sikh and Jain festival of lights in the heart of London. With an exciting line-up of music and dance, plus workshops, foods and crafts for the whole family, it’s a fantastic day out for everyone.

Performances include:

  • Ganesh Dance
  • Kuntal
  • Luitporia
  • Ashiana
  • Natraj Dance Academy
  • Cutie Pie Dance Group
  • Aditi Singing and Dance
  • London School of Dhol
  • Rajunika
  • Haryana Community
  • Nepal
  • Taal Torongo
  • Bhajan
  • Soni Bros and Garba
  • Shine Krishna Puppet dance
  • Kamlesh
  • Jiya - The live band
  • Angel Dancers
  • "Remembrance Moment” with the Trench Brothers and ‘I can Sing’ students from the Torriano Junior School, Camden; and solo from Richard Sumitro
  • Krupa Entertainment Lights Medley Dance
  • Shiamak the Medley
  • Aarti and Bhajans by BAPS
  • Sri B Dance Academy
  • Bolly Red Medley
  • Lighting Spectacular

Mass Ghoomar Dance

A traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe performed in worship to Goddess Sarasvati. The dance typically involves female performers twirling in and out of a wide circle. It is traditional for a newly married bride to dance Ghoomar on moving into her marital home. Today the dance is performed on special occasions, like weddings, religious events and festivals. Performed by several London dance schools.

You can also join in with the Public Garba, a Gujarati folk dance on the main square.

London Fire Brigade

London’s finest firefighters will be on hand to talk about fire and safety and how you could join them (try on a uniform too!). You can also join in a fire safety Jenga game.



World of Saris

Take five minutes to learn how to put on a sari. Find out about the different saris from different parts of India, and how they are draped in different ways. If you volunteer to put on a sari yourself and wear it at the event, we’ll let you keep it!

Dance workshops

Ever wanted to dance like they do in Bollywood films? Let our stage dancers put you through your paces and learn some impressive moves. We’ll also teach the more classical styles like Kathak, Odissi, and Bharatnatyam and maybe even throw in some street, hip-hop, and jazz India-style.

Children’s activities

Iskon Temple will give children a taste of life in the Ramayan (the story of Lord Rama & his wife Sita) with interactive short stories and a quiz. Kids can also bend a bow and shoot the 10-headed Ravana; decorate a diva (battery-operated light); and have their photo taken with Lord Rama, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman.

Save our Oceans

Sai School's anti-plastic project will give visitors a chance to see the damage being done to marine life through our careless approach to waste. Join them in making marine life art to stick on the wall to ‘grow’ our ocean scene.

Diwali Culture Zone

Watch a 25-minute giant puppet show telling the story of Sita and Rama. There’ll also be diwa making; talks on Diwali-related celebrations like Lakshmi Pujas; and short videos. Our ‘Ask me about Diwali’ volunteers will be on hand to answer all your questions.

Soho Theatre Comedy Marquee

Enjoy a hilarious show with an Asian take on comedy. Daniel Fernandes comperes a stand-up from Mumbai known for his surreal style of comedy that touches on real life issues.

Try the Lebara Batak Pro and ‘Catch the light this Diwali’. Hit flashing lights as fast as you can to win a prize! Don’t forget to grab a Lebara sim card too.

Glimpse of Goddesses with the Brahma Kumaris

Meet the Goddesses and learn from their virtues in this walk-through experience. Play on the Shakti wheel to reveal what various characteristics say about you!

Yoga

Take some time out with our yoga and meditation session.

Timings Sessions
1pm - 1.10pm Raj Yoga Meditation
1.10pm - 1.40pm Divya Chandegra: Vinyasa 1

This session includes Supta Padangustana, Happy Baby and Parsvakonasana reverse flow
1.50pm - 2.20pm Jyoti Joshi: The Art of Corrective Breathing

As taught by Swami Ramdevji, Sun Salutations with mantras and Asanas for strengthening the back
2.30pm - 3pm Dr Vishwanath and Ishwar: Celebration of Inner Light

Ishwar sharma, a 9 year old yoga prodigy, with Dr Vishwanath will demonstrate artistic yoga choreographed to the music of Veda, Upanishad and Bhagavad Geeta
3.10pm - 3.40pm Subhash Taank & Shashiben Dabhi: Patanjali Yoga

This session includes pranayama and light exercises for hands and shoulders
3.50pm - 4.20pm Dipa Chandegra: Vinyasa 2

Including Humble Warrior, Utkatasana flow, Bridge Posture
4.30pm - 5pm

Avanti Pethe & Dennis: Yoga for Success

Including Yoga Namaskar, neck practices and Nadi Shuddhi

5.10pm - 5.40pm Rakhee Vithlani: Superari Yoga

A series of Hatha Yoga postures designed to enhanced flexibility and strength.
5.50pm - 6.30pm Diego Lourenco: Traditional Hatha Yoga

This session includes kriyas, asanas and pranayamas
6.35pm-6.45pm

Raj Yoga Meditation

L Unity Marquee

Short talks on spirituality and wellbeing form Diwali in London committee members, including a talk about Mahatma Gandhi, 150 years after his birth. There will also be Sikh, Jain and Buddhist representatives on what Diwali means to them and what it celebrates.

World War I: We Remember

The Royal British Legion, Big Ideas and others turn back the clock to learn about the tremendous sacrifice made by Indians of all faiths in WW1. Try on old uniforms, pose with props, make a sari wreath, and get on board the bus to experience life in wartime.

Toyota’s plug-in Prius hybrid

Hear about Toyota’s greenest car yet, the plug-in Prius hybrid. Better gas mileage and lower fuel consumption helps to reduce harmful CO2 emissions. Its batteries are made from nickel and can be recycled - unlike lead-acid batteries (a major pollutant).

Read more about the Mayor’s Clean Air Strategy.

  • Mahiz Mehndi
  • Holy Lama Naturals
  • Chinmaya Mission UK
  • Metropolitan Police Hindu Association
  • Eros Now
  • State Bank of India
  • Incredible India
  • Hotstar
  • Vatika Naturals
  • Aditri Accessories
  • NHS Blood and Transplant
  • Variations
  • MySareeShop.co.uk
  • Satori Accessories
  • Henna & Glitter Tattoos Sainamika HB

  • Dabeli Hut - Indian Street Food
  • The Street FoodIndian Sweets
  • Mama Smoothies
  • Cordial Mixologist
  • Shocka’s Coconut Hub
  • Bombay Street Food
  • Sheila’s Vegan Kitchen
  • Delhi Chef
  • Rajbhog Catering
  • The Indians Next Door
  • Pappadums Express
  • Village Gujju’s Recipe

For the latest stage programme visit the Diwali in London website.

Presenting partner

Lebara logo

Event partners

Incredible India

Vatika
SBI
Jemca Toyota logo
Hotstar logo

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