CANCELLED: Diwali on the Square 2026

Main stage running order:

• Opening dance
• Public garba
• Opening Ceremony
• Nina's Choreography
• AK Bollywood Children
• Nandini Pathak / NHSF
• One Jain  
• Sam Sonigre
• Paras Malde
• Kuntal Bollywood Dance School
• EEA
• TAL
• Diwali Story
• Kirti Kala Mandir UK
• Priyesh Shah
• Utkalika
• Ministry of Dhol
• Diwali Story
• Four multi faith messages
• Shristi  
• Jay Kumar
• Shivali and Chirag
• Lightup moment
• Diwali Story
• Krupa  
• Dr Sudheesh
• Sumeet Step 2 Step
• Bhajan Experience & NHSF
• Goodbyes / close of event 

The Bhajan Zone marquee at Diwali in London is a welcoming space of devotion, music, and community spirit. It brings together talented groups who will share soulful bhajans – timeless devotional songs that uplift the heart and create a sense of peace and unity.

Open to all ages, it’s a place to pause amidst the celebrations, sing along, or simply soak in the spiritual energy.

Whether you join in or just listen, the Bhajan Zone offers a moment of reflection and joy, lighting up hearts in the true spirit of Diwali.

Performance schedule: 

• 2:05pm-2:15pm - BSNL Team 
• 2:20pm-2:55pm - Sai School of Harrow 
• 3:00pm-3:30pm - ISCKON 
• 3:35pm-3:55pm - One Jain 
• 4:00pm-4:35pm - Chinmaya Mission 
• 4:45pm-5:25pm - BSNL 
• 5:30pm-5:50pm - BAPS 
• 6:00pm onwards - Open for all

In this interactive display of Hindu Goddesses you’ll get the opportunity to capture a vision and explanation of the goddesses, and obtain tips on how to invoke divine powers and virtues in a fun and interactive way. 

Come in to experience the divinity and power of live Goddesses. 

Learn how to celebrate the Goddess within you. 

Spin the Shakti Wheel to land on one of nine Goddesses to discover their divine powers and how they can help in our daily life. 

Explore the qualities, virtues and powers that lie within you. 

Feel the power of meditation in this sacred space. 

StoryHour UK presents the Diwali story - Ramayana, An Ancient Indian Epic!

This ancient Indian epic is brought to life by six beautifully handcrafted puppets.

Come and see the puppets up close, as the puppeteers weave their magic.

Show Timings:

• 1:30pm 
• 2:30pm 
• 3:30pm 
• 4:30pm 
• 5:15pm 
• 6pm

Do tag us on Instagram @storyhourglobal 

“Preserving the Flame, Illuminating Tomorrow”

The Diwali in London Committee brings together organisations from across the UK to organise and deliver this annual celebration. Each year, one organisation takes the lead as the Chair Organisation. For 2026, this is the National Hindu Students’ Forum (UK) (NHSF UK).

Founded in 1991 by Hindu university students in London, NHSF (UK) exists to protect, preserve, practise and promote Hindu Dharma, creating spaces for young Hindus to explore their identity, build community and develop as future leaders and ambassadors.

With a vision of a peaceful and harmonious world based on Dharma, NHSF (UK) engages young Hindus across schools and universities through cultural celebrations, discussions and debates, sports, arts, meditation and selfless service (sewā).

This vision comes to life at Diwali on Trafalgar Square 2026, sharing the values of sewa, harmony and light with London’s diverse communities.

Come and explore the history of NHSF (UK), discover how students have kept Hindu traditions alive for 35 years and see how Diwali is celebrated by Hindu students and communities across the UK! 

Step into the Culture Zone and immerse yourself in the soul of Diwali. Through captivating classical and folk dances, experience the rich tapestry of ancient India and the timeless tale of the Ramayan - the spiritual and cultural cornerstone of Diwali.

Here, our community and partner organisations come together to share the essence of Hindu culture - explaining the meanings behind our rituals, the significance of Diwali, and what it means to be a Hindu in the UK today. 

Learn the essential techniques to cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress from experts in yoga and meditation through:

• Gentle yoga sessions, which will help you connect your body and breath, enhancing overall well-being
• Guided meditation to immerse yourself in the present moment, promoting relaxation and awareness
• Community connection, coming together with others in a warm and welcoming atmosphere

Whether you're new to these practices or looking to deepen your experience, join us in creating a peaceful space for growth and mindfulness! 

Caterers:

• Scooperb
• Churros Garcia
• Rajbhog
• Shayona
• Mr Bombay
• Madras Flavours

Traders:

• Sainamika Hair and Beauty
• Atiyukt Aroma Ltd

Communities and Charities:

• South Asian Health Action
• Jain and Hindu Organ Donation Alliance
• Sahaja Yoga Meditation 
• Dhyan Foundation UK
• London Fire Brigade 
• Met Police Hindu Association (MPHA) 
• British Transport Police
• Grow London Local 
• Sewa International 
• Go Dharmic

We will do our best to make sure you feel welcome and enjoy our event. Our event staff and volunteers are here to help with any questions you might have. 

When you arrive, our stewards and Team London volunteers will greet you. Our Team London volunteers will be wearing purple high-visibility jackets and are ready to answer any questions. There will also be clear signs to help guide you around the event. Please note, we will conduct a bag search at the entrance for everyone attending. 

The event has a level access entrance, and it is wheelchair accessible.  All paths are accessible for wheelchair users and there is a lift that connects the North Terrace to the Main Square. Stewards will be there to help you find your way. Assistance dogs are welcome too. 

The festival can get busy. If being in crowds is difficult for you, you can use our accessible viewing area. It is located on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square. This area has hearing loop facilities for the performances on the main stage, and chairs are available for companions and anyone who needs to sit. 

All shows with speech on the main stage will have a British Sign Language interpreter. You can see this on the screen on the right side of the main stage. 

The event may be loud at times due to music and performances. If you need ear defenders, you can ask for them at our information point or speak to a volunteer for help. 

The event is relaxed. You can join or leave at any time and move around as you like. You do not need to be quiet. 

In addition to toilets, we will also have Mobiloo accessible toilet at the event. This toilet has a hoist and a changing table. If you need to use the hoist, please bring your own sling for safety and convenience. You can find more information on Mobiloo’s website: www.mobiloo.org.uk. 

If you need any help on the day with more information about the event, just ask one of our stewards or volunteers, and they will be happy to assist you. 

Trafalgar Square is easy to reach by public transport, including buses, the Tube, and national rail services. 

Getting there by underground

The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster Station, which is served by the Jubilee, District, and Circle lines. From Westminster Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Trafalgar Square. 

Charing Cross Underground Station is the closest Tube station and is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. However, please note that this station does not have step-free access. 

Getting there by bus

Bus routes that stop close to Trafalgar Square include: 

Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 15, 23, 87, 88, 91, 139, and 176, with most buses having wheelchair access. 

For accessible travel options, including step-free routes and Dial-A-Ride services, you can visit the TfL (Transport for London) website for maps and to plan your journey: tfl.gov.uk. 

Getting there by National Rail 

The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square. 

What accessible parking is available

The surrounding area on Trafalgar Square can get very busy on the day of the event, so we recommend you take public transport if you're visiting the event. If you’re unable to take public transport for accessibility reasons, accessible parking is available near Trafalgar Square. 

There are Blue Badge parking spaces on St Martin’s Street, located next to the National Gallery. Please be aware that these spaces are around 250 metres from the National Gallery. There are three designated Blue Badge parking bays available here. 

For more information on parking, you can contact the Westminster Parking Information Service on 020 7823 4567. The helpline is open Monday to Saturday, from 8am to 8pm. To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, you can find disabled Blue Badge bays on the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN. 

Please note that Pall Mall East will be closed on the day of the event (from 05:00 to 23:00) and no vehicles will have access to that road. This will include any parking spaces near the area. We recommend you to please plan ahead of time if you're driving and check alternative parking spaces. 

Conditions of Entry:

• Searching is a condition of entry to this event. 
• Bag searches will be in operation. 
• No alcohol, illegal substances & new psychoactive substances, pyrotechnics, laser devices, megaphones, airhorns, flagpoles can be brought inside. 
• The organisers cannot accept financial or other responsibility for any loss or liability incurred by visitors to the site as a result of contracts entered into by visitors in relation to the event. 
• The organisers cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage to personal property brought to the site. 
• Visitors may be filmed or recorded for broadcast or security purposes during the event. 
• Any attendees found to be eliciting or involved in what is perceived as hate crime will be removed from the venue and reported to the police. 
• All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult (1 adult per 4x children). 

For avoidance of doubt, the below is a non-exhaustive list outlining all items prohibited from entering the event, in order to help protect the safety and welfare of both visitors and staff. Any person in possession of such items will be refused entry. 

Prohibited items include (but are not limited to): 

• Frisbees and similar items 
• Dangerous or hazardous items 
• Illegal substances including new psychoactive substances (commonly known as "Legal Highs") and/or other drugs considered to be unsafe 
• Explosives and ammunition 
• Fireworks (including sparklers) 
• Knives, blades or other weapons 
• Firearms 
• Scooters, skateboards or other skates 
• Bicycles 
• Spray cans 
• Laser devices 
• Smoke canisters 
• Unauthorised flyers 
• Large industrial style 'permanent' marker pens 
• Handheld communication devices such as radios and radio jammers/scanners 
• Drones 
• Illegal merchandise items 
• Bottles of any kind 
• Any containers made wholly or in part of glass 
• Cans 
• Illegal charity collection utensils 
• Motorbike helmets 
• Large umbrellas or parasols 
• Tables 
• Chairs (except wheelchairs) 
• Seats 
• Shooting sticks 
• Walking sticks or seat sticks 
• Darts 
• Items with an open flame (e.g. candles, barbeques, gas/paraffin lamps, Chinese lanterns), camp fires, gas fires etc 
• Hampers and cold boxes 
• Air horns 
• Selfie sticks 
• Animals (except service dogs & guide dogs) 
• Musical instruments, trumpets, drums and other devices capable of causing a disturbance or nuisance 
• Food, drink or liquids, with the exception of medical, health and personal hygiene supplies or items required for the care of a child or infant in containers not exceeding 100ml 
• Inappropriate clothing 
• Flags, banners, signs or branded items 
• Club colours 
• Poles 
• High-vis 
• Stickers, helium balloons 
• Fun snaps 
• Items with intent for protest or public discord 
• Air horns, klaxons and other items capable of making loud noise 
• Any other items which we consider to be a nuisance or pose a risk to public safety and/or security. 
• Any article that might be used as a weapon, be deemed to be offensive or abusive, or compromise public safety, will be confiscated and/or reported to the police. 

Please also note that when full, we will operate a one in, one out policy.