Please note that this event has already occured.
Key information
Date: Saturday 06 April 2024
Time: 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London, WC2N 5DN, GB
Cost: Free
About the event
Join us at Trafalgar Square to celebrate Vaisakhi.
Co-hosted by the dynamic duo Tommy Sandhu and Shani Dhanda, who will present an exciting line-up of entertainment featuring artists like Kirpal Singh Panesar, Ravneet Sehra, Grewal Twins, and many more.
Witness the exhilarating Sikh Martial Art, Gatka, showcased by Baba Fateh Singh Gatka Akhara. This intense and captivating art form is a must-see for everyone. They will be joined by the Dhol Academy, a prestigious and long-standing Dhol group in the UK, providing an electrifying soundtrack that complements the Gatka demonstrations with varying rhythms to heighten the excitement.
Indulge in complimentary snacks and Indian tea (langar) and seize the opportunity to dive deeper into Sikh culinary traditions. Join cooking demonstrations led personally by Amrit S Maan OBE and his head chefs from the iconic Punjab Covent Garden plus guest chef Manju Mahli BEM.
You can also meet the Sikh Games team and have a go at Gatka, pickleball and fitness training in the sports activity area.
Don’t miss out on the Sikh art showcase, Sikh art exhibition, turban tying by Chardikala Turban Academy educational talks on ‘What is Vaisakhi’ by Basics of Sikhi and a children’s marquee with free fun activities for families organised by Kiddie Sangat .
For the full guide of the main stage events, activities across the Square, and all vendors, see the details provided below.
#VaisakhiLDN
What is Vaisakhi?
Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It represents the establishment of the Khalsa Panth (Nation) by the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
A principle passed on by Guru Gobind Singh Ji was recognising the whole human race as one – regardless of faith, background or gender.
For many Vaisakhi represents the birth of the Sikh identity.
Specifically, Vaisakhi is marked by a Nagar Kirtan. This is a procession of the Sikh community from one gurdwara (temple) to another. It often features spiritual hymns (kirtan), langar (food) and Gatka, a Sikh martial art.
Event Programme
Co-hosted by Tommy Sandhu and Shani Dhanda
- Sporting Activities by the Sikh Games and Pickleball England
- Turban Tying by Chardikala Turban Academy
- Children's Activities by Kiddie Sangat
- 'What is Vaisakhi?' Talks Marquee by Basics of Sikhi
- Sikh Art Marquee displaying and selling work by
- Cooking demonstrations
Caterers:
- Whippy Ices
- Spice Shack
- GULLY
- Kaur Samosas
Charity, commercial and community stalls:
- Defence Sikh Network (DSN)
- Panjabs Finest
- Nirmolak Heera
- KCraft'e
- The Washing Machine Project
- Metropolitan Police
- Khalsa Fostering
Feedback Survey
Thank you for taking part in this short survey about the Vaisakhi event you attended. The results of this research will help us understand in more detail your experience of the event.
The research is being carried out by Walnut Unlimited, an independent research company. The survey should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.
As a thank you for your time we will enter you into a prize draw, with 1st place being £250, 2nd place being £150 and 3rd place being £100. The prize will be awarded as a digital Amazon or Love2Shop voucher – you will get to choose if you are selected as the winner.
Sponsors
A big thank you to our Sponsors and partners for 2024 and for their on-going support of this event:
If you're interested in hearing about sponsorship opportunities at this event in London's iconic Trafalgar Square please email [email protected].
Plan your visit
- All staff and stewards will be briefed on disability awareness.
- Event stewards will be available to assist wheelchair users travelling between the upper (north terrace) and the lower terrace levels of Trafalgar Square. Accessible lifts are available at the north terrace.
- The accessible viewing area will be at the top of the central staircase. Some seating will be available for companions the viewing area, and for those less able to stand. An area with hearing loop will be available.
- A Mobiloo wheelchair accessible portable toilet will be provided on the north west corner of Trafalgar Square (on the upper terrace). The mobile toilet has a hoist and changing table. Mobiloo users needing to use the hoist must bring their own sling with them. This is for your own safety and convenience – and to prevent any cross-contamination between different users. Further details can be found on the Mobiloo website.
- BSL Interpreters will be present on the main stage. A picture in picture will also be displayed in the screen which is positioned on the right side of the main stage.
You can plan your journey with TfL’s Journey Planner.
Bus
- Routes 3, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 23, 24, 53, 77A, 88, 91, 139, 159, 176 and 453.
- All these routes lead to Trafalgar Square. However, 9 and 15 are heritage buses and do not have a low-floor.
- Visit the TfL website for more information on buses.
Tube
- The nearest Underground station with step-free access from platform to street level is Westminster. This is served by the Jubilee, District and Circle lines. Outside Westminster station buses 12, 24, 88 or 453 have low-floor buses which call at a stop within 150m of Trafalgar Square.
- Charing Cross Underground station is served by the Northern and Bakerloo lines. It is the closest Tube station. However, it does not have step-free access.
- Visit the TfL website for accessible Tube maps.
National Rail
- The nearest railway station is Charing Cross. It is 325 metres away, approximately 3 minutes’ walk. Charing Cross rail station offers step-free access and a step-free route to Trafalgar Square.
- Dial-a-ride
- Find out about registering and pre-booking Dial-a-ride services.
Please notice there are planned industrial action on the 6 April. We recommend you plan alternative routes if attending the event. Please check the National Rail website for full information.
Accessible parking
- The nearest Blue Badge parking spaces to Trafalgar Square are:
- St Martin’s Street – five spaces - 321 metres from Trafalgar Square
- Outside Canada House – one space - 33 metres from Trafalgar Square
- Suffolk Street – one space - 644 metres from Trafalgar Square
- Spring Gardens – one space - 321 metres from Trafalgar Square
To find other blue badge parking bays nearby, please search the City of Westminster’s website using the postcode WC2N 5DN.
To see where the bays are, click the ‘View results on a map’ button on the search results page.