Diwali on the Square 2024

Our main stage programme, hosted by DiL Committee Member, Nil Kumar, will run from 1:00pm to 7:00pm, bringing you an exciting line-up of performances, music, and entertainment.

We encourage you to stay with us throughout the day and experience the full programme below.

Sari 
While being elegant and beautiful, it also represents the culture of India.  Take this opportunity to have one draped upon you, which you can take home with our compliments.  

Turban 
This is a symbol of respect and strength. Sikhs, Rajputs, Afghanis, and many other communities have turbans as their attire. All are welcome to experience wearing a turban. 

All donations will help fund Food4all and The Mayor’s Fund for London charities. 

Come and join a free dance and movement workshop run by some of the UK’s best dance artists. From traditional classic and folk to popular Bollywood, there’s something for everyone.   

All ages and abilities welcome, and no previous dance experience needed.   

Arrive early to secure your spot.   

If you don’t want to join in, sit back, enjoy the music and watch the performances from outside the marquee.   

Workshops run from 1:15pm – 6:45pm 

Swagatam, welcome to Harmony Marquee, a vibrant celebration of Diwali through the harmony of the Diwali in London organisations. 

Immerse yourself in devotion and ancient wisdom with interactive activities, photo opportunities and a special ‘Giving from the Heart’ message wall. 

Engage in spiritual reflection, see community service in action, and enjoy being part of the spirit of Harmony through celebrating Diwali together. 

Join us for a transformative experience that combines the calming practices of yoga and meditation. In this zone, you'll learn essential techniques to cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress from various Experts from different Yoga and Meditation schools. 

What to Expect: 

• Gentle Yoga Sessions: Suitable for all levels, our basic yoga sessions will help you connect your body and breath, enhancing your overall well-being. 
• Guided Meditations: Immerse yourself in guided meditations designed to promote relaxation, awareness, and a deeper connection to the present moment. 
• Community Connection: Connect with fellow participants in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, fostering friendships and shared experiences. 

Whether you’re new to these practices or looking to deepen your experience, this Zone is perfect for you. Join us in creating a peaceful space for growth and mindfulness! 

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. 

From ancient cultural homages and art and dance forms to some adrenaline pumping ancient games… Come experience them all. 

Join us for an afternoon of talks, films, and discussions on how to enjoy a healthy life.    

Start your healthy living journey today with top tips from leading experts on exercise, laughter yoga, ayurveda and more.  

London’s most vibrant producer of new theatre, comedy, and cabaret returns with an even more exciting line-up of British and Indian comic talents. 

Soho Theatre presents a back-to-back mixed bill stand-up comedy shows, hosted by the brilliant Anirban Dasgupta.  

New this year, we have northern-based comic Seeta Wrightson, rising star Rohan Sharma, and Nayonica Ghosh, who has been a regular at our event for the past few years. To close the show, Joshua Bethania returns after delivering a fantastic set last year. 

Soho Theatre continues to bring the best Indian comedy to the UK and the best UK comedy to India. Grab your seat and get ready to laugh! 

For the latest, follow them on Instagram @sohotheatre and @sohotheatreindia, visit sohotheatre.com, or pop into their venue on Dean Street, W1. 

We welcome the little ones with a quick-fire quiz where they can learn more about Diwali in a fun way. Children can also:  

• Feel the power of victory over bad and evil by a game of shooting the demon with a bow and arrow! 
• Decorate tea lights and offer it to Their Lordships.  
• Get their face painted!!  
• Dress up for a photoshoot with Lord Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman! 

We’ll be giving away gifts of joy too.

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

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

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

Showtimes:  

• 1:15pm
• 2:30pm
• 3:45pm
• 5:00pm
• 6:15pm  

Do tag us on Instagram @storyhourglobal  

The Diwali Bhajan Marquee is a heartwarming blend of spirituality and devotion, offering a platform for singers from all walks of life to unite in praise of Hindu gods and goddesses.  

Throughout the day, different groups will perform soul-stirring bhajans, filling the atmosphere with music that elevates the spirit. This sacred gathering fosters a deep connection with the divine, creating a space for religious expression and communal harmony during the festive celebration.

• 2:00pm - BAPS 
• 2:40pm - ISKON 
• 3:20pm - Sai School 
• 4:00pm - Chinmaya Mission 
• 4:40pm - Dharati 
• 4:50pm - Girish Bhai 
• 5:10pm - Vinni Kalia 
• 5:20pm onwards BSNL Team  

Caterers:

• Mr Bombay
• Delhi Chef
• Jamaica Cold Press
• Churros Garcia
• Chaat Express
• Gully
• YouBao
• Shayona
• Rahjbog Street Food
• Dabeli Hut - Indian Street Food
• Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant
• RockIT-Indian Fusion Food
• Bombayish
• Baristars
• Guriyas Gurr
• Ideal Sweets

Retail:

• Sainamika Henna Hair and Beauty
• Grow London
• Mahiz Mehndi
• Moonlight Mantras

Community:

• Jain & Hindu Organ Donation
• Metropolitan and Hindu Police Association
• One Jain - Institute of Jainology

Charity:

• Go Dharmic
• DKMS
• South Asian Health Association
• Bhavan UK
• Sahaja Yoga
• Dhyan Foundation UK
• LEPRA

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

Accessible parking 

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.