London’s Diwali On The Square celebrations in Trafalgar Square have been cancelled for this Sunday, after independent event health and safety experts warned that storms forecast for Saturday would make it unsafe to build the event.
The Mayor of London’s office announced the decision on Saturday morning, saying the free festival due to take place on Sunday 25 October would not go ahead. The statement said the safety of everyone involved was “the absolute priority”.
“We are very sorry to announce that London’s Diwali On The Square celebrations this Sunday (25 October) have been cancelled following the recommendation of independent event health and safety experts,” the statement said.
“With storms forecast on Saturday, the event health and safety leads have advised it would not be safe to carry out the build and set-up required to stage the event in Trafalgar Square on Sunday. The decision to cancel the event has been taken in line with their professional advice, with the safety of everyone involved the absolute priority.”
The announcement will disappoint thousands of Londoners who had planned to head to central London for one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside India. The Mayor’s office acknowledged that directly, saying the decision had “not been taken lightly” and that it knew it would be disappointing for everyone looking forward to the celebrations, as well as the volunteers who had put “so much time, energy and care” into preparing for this year’s event.
“However, the safety of Londoners and visitors must come first,” the statement added. “We are now considering other ways in which we can support people to celebrate Diwali in London this year.”
No rescheduled date has been announced, and no alternative venue has been named. Anyone who had planned to travel to Trafalgar Square for the festival on Sunday should not make the trip for the event itself.
What had been planned
Diwali On The Square was due to run from 1pm to 7pm on Sunday, free to attend with no ticket needed. The day was to open with a colourful dance sequence performed by 200 dancers in the centre of the Square, before the main stage showcased music, dance and performances celebrating the creativity and cultural heritage of London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.
Around the Square, visitors were to explore arts, crafts, storytelling, yoga and meditation, and dance workshops, alongside a market and food stalls serving vegan and vegetarian cuisine. Families were to enjoy StoryHour UK’s Ramayana Puppet Show, bringing the Diwali story to life with handcrafted puppets, music and narration.
The event was delivered in partnership with the volunteer-led Diwali in London committee, with headline partner Remitly and associate partners Lidl and Jio Hotstar.
Why Saturday’s forecast matters
The problem, according to the Mayor’s office, was not Sunday’s weather itself but the build. A large outdoor festival in Trafalgar Square needs staging, lighting, stalls and safety infrastructure put in place the day before. With storms forecast for Saturday, the health and safety leads advised that carrying out that set-up would not be safe — so the event could not be staged at all on Sunday, even if conditions improved by then.
Saturday has brought heavy rain and strong winds to the capital, and Londoners have already faced a wet start to the weekend. The cancellation is the latest disruption from the unsettled weather, which has also affected travel across the city.
A double change for Sunday
Sunday 25 October was already set to be an unusual day for Londoners: it is the day the clocks go back at 2am, when British Summer Time ends and Greenwich Mean Time returns, giving everyone an extra hour in bed — and bringing a sunset as early as 4:46pm. With Diwali On The Square now cancelled, the Square will be far quieter than planned for what would have been one of the autumn’s biggest free celebrations.
For those still looking for a free day out this weekend, other major events are going ahead — including the Blue Planet III Live in Concert dates announced for Wembley next summer, though that is a ticketed show rather than a free festival. The Mayor’s office has said it is considering other ways to support Diwali celebrations in London this year, and any further announcement will be worth watching for.
For now, the message for Sunday is simple: Diwali On The Square is off, the Square itself will not be hosting the festival, and the celebrations that were due to light up central London will have to wait for another year — or for whatever alternative the Mayor’s office comes up with.
