The Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 marks a welcome return to London for this huge annual showcase of outdoor performances and events. Over three weeks in August Trafalgar Square will be alive with vibrant shows, demonstrating the cultural diversity which makes up the capital.

World culture at Trafalgar Square Festival
A diverse variety of shows and performances from all over the world will be taking place in the Trafalgar Square Festival 2008, transforming the Central London area into an international stage of world culture. Performance art, acrobatics and dance are only a few of the activities exploding into Trafalgar Square in August.

New Commissions for 2008
Crowds will be able to enjoy free art and performances from the UK and overseas, including a selection of new commissions coming to the UK for the first time. Visitors to the Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 can expect eclectic, colourful and unusual art in London at one of biggest outdoor events of the summer. The concept for 2008 is to celebrate London's creative relationship with China and the Olympics, so expect lots of superb Chinese themed events.

Gigantic Arts Celebration
Last year’s festival attracted somewhere in the region of 200,000 people in total and the Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 is expected to be just as popular an event. With performances taking place all over the Square, including inside the fountains, the Trafalgar Square Festival is guaranteed to be a memorable London occasion. Join the crowds for free art in London and make it a cultural summer this year.

Behind the scenes action
On the days that performances aren't taking place, Trafalgar Square won't simply be relaxing in a slumber ready for the following week, it will still be a hive of activity. Many of the shows are not only premieres but also unique to the space so the days of the week when the Trafalgar Square Festival is not running are the ideal time for you to glimpse some behind the scenes action as the performers rehearse in the Square.

Dramatic Displays at Trafalgar Square
Aerial dance, hip hop, flying dragons, South Asian dance, football, the opportunity to get up close and personal with Admiral Lord Nelson and contemporary juggling displays ensure the end of the Trafalgar Square Festival won't be easily forgotten.

Olympic Games in Beijing and London
Throughout the festival, a Europe's biggest outdoor screen will be keeping you up to date with all the Olympic action from 8am to 9pm everyday. At the end of the Trafalgar Square festival 2008 you will also be treated to the sight of the Mayor of Beijing handing over the Olympic Games to the Mayor of London with the official beginning of London as the host of the 2012 games. Showing on a giant screen in the middle of the Square, you will be able to enjoy the final moments of the 2008 Olympic Games and the countdown to London's own games in four years time.

Unmissable Highlights
The final four days feature displays by Spanish dance theatre company Factoria Mascaro as they combine stunning choreography with theatrical and artistic design. The festival comes to a close with a show of live statues, entrancing pools, a visit from Eros and Father Thames, it promises to be a spectacular end to this year's Trafalgar Square Festival.

Festival schedule
Whether it's Oriental style acrobatics or hip hop crew dancing from London's very own Zoo Nation, there is something to inspire and excite everyone during the festival.

Week 1, 7th-9th August:
Yellow Earth Theatre and The Flying Dragon Circus
Week 2, 14th-16th August:
Zoo Nation and Srishti
Week 3, 21st-23rd August:
Miss High Leg Kick and Factoria Mascara

The Trafalgar Square Festival 2008 takes place from Thursday 7th August – Saturday 23rd August 2008, running from Thursday to Sunday each week with performances at 1pm and 9pm. The Olympic handover screening will take place on Sunday 24th August.

For a full list of events and festival programme, click on the link below.

Trafalgar Square Festival Official Site

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