Diwali celebrations on Trafalgar Square announced

Diwali is also celebrated by lighting candles or divas

London's annual Diwali celebrations will open with 200 dancers in traditional clothing on Trafalgar Square.

The free event on Sunday, 27 October organised by City Hall will include food stalls, music, dancing and comedy shows from Soho Theatre.

New to the event will be a space for devotional musicians, also known as Bhajan singers, to perform.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "It brings together Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds to mark the symbolic victory of light over darkness, good over evil."

Diwali - also known as the festival of light - falls on 31 October this year.

It is celebrated by Hindus and Jains with Sikhs also marking Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day.

"As global tensions continue to affect us all, Diwali’s central messages of peace and hope are more pertinent than ever," added Mr Khan.

A rainy day did not stop last years Diwali festivities

For some Hindus, Diwali marks the beginning of the new year and is about the return of deities Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.

The festival is known as Bandi Chhor Divas for Sikhs, celebrating the release of the sixth guru Hargobind Sahib from prison in 1619.

For Jains, it's about the moment Jainism founder Lord Mahavira reached a state of being known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.