The official countdown to 2026 Vaisakhi has begun, with thousands of visitors expected once again at Wolverhampton's premier park for the annual celebrations in May.
The popular cultural festival will return to West Park on Sunday 3 May between 12pm and 5pm and Entry is Free.
The Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton have planned a fun filled day with entertainment for all the family, including a fun fair, a variety of stalls and popular Asian musicians and singers will be performing live on stage.
Religious leaders will be on stage delivering speeches, and a wide range of local organisations will showcase their services. Free food will also be served throughout the day.
This year’s event is sponsored by local businesses School of Coding and AI and BJS Home Delivery.
Professor Mak Sharma, Provost (Chief Academic Officer), from School of Coding and AI said: “We are delighted to be lending our support to this year’s Vaisakhi Mela. We are proud of our Wolverhampton roots and not only is this an important event in the Sikh calendar, it is also one of the city’s most loved and well attended cultural celebrations. We are very much looking forward to seeing thousands of visitors join the celebrations at West Park in May.”
Tarsem Singh, Chairman of BJS Home Delivery, added: “BJS Home Delivery are incredibly proud to support the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton for this year’s Vaisakhi celebrations. Vaisakhi is a powerful celebration of community, faith and service, values that strongly resonate with our own culture at BJS. As Sikhs, this is a very big celebration for us. As a business with deep roots in the local community, we’re honoured to play a part in such an important occasion and to help bring people together. Our team is looking forward to getting involved, celebrating alongside everyone, and supporting an event that means so much to so many.”
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: "We are both delighted and excited to once again celebrate Vaisakhi at West Park. This event is always hugely popular with an amazing line up of performers, speeches and family fun activities all delivered by the Sikh community. With the event only a few weeks away, preparations are underway by the Council of Sikh Gurdwaras in Wolverhampton and people who live in the city, to ensure another successful celebration.
“On the day, to ensure the safety of visitors and residents, there will be limited parking around West Park, so attendees are kindly requested to park responsibly or to make use of nearby car parks on Fold Street and Clifton Street.”
The Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Craig Collingswood, added: "This yearly religious festival is such a wonderful celebration for the Sikh community and I’m delighted to be part of the event this year. I would encourage everyone to put the date in their diary and witness West Park come alive to the sights and sounds of the Vaisakhi Festival.”
To start proceedings, there will be a parade from the Guru Nanak Satsang Gurdwara on Cannock Road to West Park, starting at 8:30am.
To support the safe arrival of the parade as it makes its way into the park, maintain emergency access and reduce disruption to residents, motorists are advised a full road closure will be in place from 8am to 6pm on the roads detailed below:
Access to businesses on Bath Avenue will be maintained and managed throughout the event.
Further details have been sent to those residents who will be affected by the closures.
Vaisakhi is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. It is the Sikh New Year festival, and this year marks the 327th Anniversary of the Creation of the Khalsa Order and making of Saint-Soldier by Guru Gobind Singh Ji in 1699.
