Storm Boelo forces London to cancel Diwali on the Square festival

London's free public Diwali festival, Diwali on the Square, which was due to take place in Trafalgar Square on Sunday, October 25, 2026, was cancelled on Saturday, October 24, because of stormy weather, the Mayor of London's office announced. It said storms forecast for Saturday meant the event's health and safety advisers judged it would not be safe to carry out the build and set-up, including the stages, that the festival needs. Reports linked the cancellation to Storm Boelo, which brought strong winds and heavy rain to parts of Britain that weekend.

Diwali on the Square is London's free public Diwali festival, staged by the city authorities with a community committee in Trafalgar Square, one of the capital's most famous public spaces. For the Indian diaspora in Britain, and for Londoners of other backgrounds who join in, it is a chance to celebrate the festival of lights together in the heart of the city.

This year it was set for two weeks before Diwali itself, which falls on November 8. A public event at that point can mark the start of the festive season for many families, ahead of the private pujas, lamps and gatherings at home and in temples on the day itself. Losing it means many Londoners lose the shared, public part of the celebration this year.

The decision was about safety. A large outdoor event needs stages, lighting, sound equipment and stalls to be put up the day before, and strong winds make that kind of work dangerous for crews and, later, for visitors. Storm Boelo brought strong winds, heavy rain and travel disruption to parts of Britain that weekend, and the organisers chose to cancel rather than risk an accident.

The cancellation is also a reminder of how much these public celebrations depend on partnerships between city authorities and community groups. The Diwali in London Committee, which co-organises the event with the Mayor's office, plays a central role in planning it, and both sides will now look at whether some other form of celebration is possible before November 8. The Mayor's office has said it is considering other ways to support people to celebrate Diwali in London this year, but it had not announced any replacement at the time of writing.

Short-term: Visitors who planned to attend on October 25 were asked not to travel to Trafalgar Square. Performers, stall-holders and community groups who had prepared for the day lost their main public showcase in London this season.

Long-term: The organisers may announce an alternative way to celebrate before November 8. The episode may also lead to more planning for bad weather at large outdoor festivals held in autumn.

Who is affected: London's Indian and wider South Asian communities; families and visitors who planned to attend; artists, food vendors and volunteers; and the Mayor of London's office and the Diwali in London Committee.

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