City Hall cancelled the 25 October Trafalgar Square event and has named no new date. Byron Park and Bhaktivedanta Manor still mark Diwali. Checked 5 November.

City Hall cancelled London’s Diwali on the Square on 24 October, the day before it was due in Trafalgar Square, and as of 5 November it has announced no replacement, so Barnet residents marking Diwali on Sunday 8 November will need to look elsewhere.

The free event was cancelled on the advice of independent health and safety experts. City Hall said that with storms forecast on Saturday 24 October, “it would not be safe to carry out the build and set-up required to stage the event in Trafalgar Square on Sunday”.

It added: “This decision has not been taken lightly and we know it will be disappointing for everyone who was looking forward to the celebrations, as well as the volunteers who have 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 one open promise is this line: “We are now considering other ways in which we can support people to celebrate Diwali in London this year.” We read City Hall’s event page and its press release list on 5 November and found nothing further.

What was lost

The day was to run from 1pm to 7pm with no ticket needed. City Hall’s programme promised an opening dance by 200 dancers, a main stage of performers from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, children’s activities, puppet shows, dance workshops, and a market with vegan and vegetarian food.

The Diwali in London committee, City Hall’s partner on the event, said in its own statement that it was “particularly saddened for the young performers, participants and volunteers who have devoted so much time, energy and care to preparing for the day”. It apologised for the short notice. The committee’s website is now taking registrations of interest for next year.

What it means for you

Bhaktivedanta Manor’s calendar gives Diwali as Sunday 8 November. Two public events close to the borough are still listed.

  • Saturday 7 November, Byron Park, Harrow, HA3 7QX. Harrow Fireworks lists a Diwali show, a fun fair and a world food arena, with free entry from 12pm to 3pm and a fireworks display at about 7.45pm. Tickets for the event are on sale on its website.
  • Sunday 8 November, Bhaktivedanta Manor, Hilfield Lane, Watford, WD25 8EZ. The temple’s festival runs from 10am to 7pm, with free meals and a lakeside trail, and no fireworks. It is free, but the temple says “no ticket, no entry”. Its page says more tickets are released at noon today, Thursday 5 November, so check availability before setting out.

For the Manor, the temple runs a shuttle from Stanmore Station, which needs its own shuttle ticket. Drivers can use the free park and ride at Haberdashers’ Girls School on Aldenham Road, WD6 3BT. Do not drive to the Manor on a shuttle ticket: the temple says you will be refused entry.

Is there a Barnet event?

We have not found one for 2026. Barnet Council has run its own Diwali celebration in past years, at Middlesex University with Barnet Asian Women’s Association in 2023, but we could not find a listing for this year, and the council’s news pages would not load for us when we checked on 5 November. The BAPS temple in Neasden describes its Diwali and Annakut celebrations on its site, though we found no 2026 times there.

If your temple, school, community group or residents’ association is holding a Diwali event in the borough, tell us and we will add it to the What’s On diary.