Please note that the festival will not be taking place in 2009. For more information on summer 2009 festivals in London, click on the links below.

The Trafalgar Square Festival returns to London in 2008 with a huge showcase of free events and performances, taking place in the heart of London this August. A diverse range of events will be staged over three weeks in the capital's biggest arts and cultural showcase.

Spectacular art in London
All manner of live performance art and entertainment will feature in the Trafalgar Square Festival, presenting a vibrant collection of shows for Londoners to enjoy. Expect to see people flying through air, acrobatics, street theatre, dance and more at what promises to be a highlight cultural event this year.

Family fun at the Trafalgar Square Festival
Londoners of all ages will be out to enjoy what’s on offer in the festival in a truly exhilarating menu of free entertainment. Many shows will be London premieres and unique to the Trafalgar Square performance space, meaning exclusive entertainment in London. Families can make the most of exciting days out during the holidays, guaranteed to catch your attention.

International art
Performers from all over the world will be taking part in the Trafalgar Square Festival 2008, but this year there is a special celebration of London's relationship with China and the Olympics in Beijing. So expect to see some fantastic Chinese art forms in a thrilling series of cultural events as the Flying Dragon Circus joins Zoo Nation for some amazing performances. And the live screening of the Mayor of Beijing officially handing over the Olympic Games to the Mayor of London at the festival finale.

2008 Olympic Games
With plenty of exciting and diverse acts celebrating this year's Olympic Games taking place throughout the festival, you can also see all the sporting action over the summer on a Europe's largest outdoor screen in the middle of Trafalgar Square. Follow the GB team from 8am to 9pm everyday as they do their best to win as many gold medals as they can, and watch the official handover from Beijing to London on Sunday 24th August, which signals the countdown to the London 2012 games right here.

Visit Trafalgar Square
Trafalgar Square is a cultural focal point in London, regularly hosting a broad range of cultural events. The Trafalgar Square Festival is a unique celebration of the arts in one of London’s most iconic, historic locations, welcoming all to join in the fun this summer. Pass through the area during the festival and you might even see rehearsals for some of the bigger shows.

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 Thursdays to Sundays from Thursday 7th August to Saturday 23rd August 2008. The Olympic handover screening takes place on Sunday 24th August.

Events are free to attend. Performances take place every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1pm and 9pm. For a full list of events and festival programme, click on the link below.

Trafalgar Square Festival Official Site

Other London events