Diwali on the Square 2026 was cancelled because of forecast storms. Thank you for your support.

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All zones Opening dance

What a Wonderful World

Opening Dance

When: 1pm, Sunday 25 October
Where: Around the fountains in Trafalgar Square
Who: 200 dancers in costume

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Opening dance sequence

Written by the zone team for Sunday 25 October 2026, before the event was cancelled.

The 2026 theme was What a Wonderful World.

Each dance will celebrate and pay homage to our planet.

Choreographed dances depict the five elements, rain, and natural beauty like trees, roses, birds, butterflies, blue skies and white clouds, amid a backdrop of our Sun. Eight dance groups comprising 200 dancers in vibrant costumes will dance around the famous fountains, and the opening ceremony will conclude with the song What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.

In pictures

Dancers around the fountain during the opening dance

Dance groups lined up across the Square, Nelson's Column behind

A dance group in red and green before the opening dance

Dancers in front of the National Gallery

Dancers in orange and yellow lined up on the Square

A dance group on the National Gallery steps

Dancers in red on the National Gallery steps

Groups taking part

Sai School of Harrow, The Brahmin Society North London, Bolly Dance, Nina's Choreography, Senjuti's Rhythm and Beats UK, Team Mudra, Women 2 Women Platinum, Binal's Dance Academy, Dance to Inspire

What we had planned

Good to know

This zone was planned for Sunday 25 October. The event was cancelled because of forecast storms. We have kept the details here for everyone who helped prepare it.

Getting there, accessibility and what to bring