Vaisakhi in London 2014

Each year, London celebrates Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year festival, in Trafalgar Square. 

Previous events have been very popular, with around 30,000 people attending during the day. 

This is a free, family day out featuring contemporary and traditional Asian music, dance, DJ sets and fun activities for children.

Vaisakhi: The Sikh New Year

Vaisakhi, the Sikh New Year, is the holiest day of the calendar for over 20m Sikhs worldwide. It is celebrated on 13 April (occasionally 14 April) each year. On this day in 1699, Sikhism was born as a collective faith. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the 10th Master of the Sikhs, initiated the Sikhs as the Khalsa or the pure and sincere. He bound the Sikhs to a strict code of conduct and, with uncut hair, beard and turban, gave the Sikhs a distinct identity.

The celebration of Vaisakhi takes the form of continuous reading of the Sikh Scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, over a period of three days. That is followed by the recitation of sacred hymns. The service ends with a final prayer for the good and well-being of the whole of humanity, and the serving of sacramental food.

Vaisakhi on the Square is presented by the Mayor of London.