35,000 people are expected to descend on Trafalgar Square this weekend for the annual Diwali Festival.
Various live music and dance performances take place on the stage and through the square, including Garba, a hand clapping dance from the Gujarat region of India. Not content with watching? Bollywood, classical Indian, and puppet dancing workshops are on hand to teach you the steps.
The Diwali Culture Zone hosts a puppet show and a chance to make and decorate clay diyas, the traditional lights of Diwali. There's also information about the background of the festival for Londoners and tourists who aren't familiar with the culture.
Indian food is the order of the day at the street food market in the square, where stalls are selling snacks including vegan and vegetarian dishes and Indian sweets.
What is Diwali and when is it?
Diwali is a festival of light celebrated by people from several different countries and religions, including Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Specific celebrations and traditions differ between groups, but it's generally celebrated as the triumph of good over evil
The actual date for Diwali 2018 is 7 November 2018.
Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square takes place Sunday 28 October 2018, 1pm-7pm. It's open to everyone and free to attend — no need to book. There will be activities for all ages.
