London/Bhubaneswar: A major celebration of Odisha’s culture, heritage and community spirit will be held at South London this November, as Bali Jatra UK 2026 prepares to return for its third annual edition. The festival is organised by Odisha Society of UK CIC, a UK community interest company. Taking place November, 28 2026, from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm at Riddlesdown Collegiate, Honister Heights, South Croydon, CR8 1EX, the festival will bring together families, children, artists, entrepreneurs, professionals, community or ganisations and visitors from across the UK.
This year’s Bali Jatra will have a special focus on women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, professional achievement and cultural heritage. At the centre of the programme will be an ambitious world-record attempt for the largest Odia cultural flash mob outside India, bringing together participants from children aged seven upwards to adults in a spectacular celebration featuring Odissi, Sambalpuri and Dhemsa dance performances. More than 60 international and community stalls are also expected to take part, showcasing businesses, food, arts, crafts, culture, entrepreneurship and community initiatives.
Bali Jatra UK 2026 is dedicated to women and mothers, recognising the women who balance family responsibilities with careers, businesses, professional commitments and community life. The organisers want this year’s festival to recognise both the visible and often unseen contributions of these women. Sweta Mohanty, spokesperson for Bali Jatra UK 2026 said, “This year’s Bali Jatra is for women. Women continue to carry so many responsibilities while contributing to every part of society. They are entrepreneurs, doctors, professionals, educators, artists and community leaders, as well as mothers and caregivers. “For many children, their mother is their first teacher and their first connection to language, culture and tradition. This Bali Jatra is our tribute to every woman who is helping to build the next generation while keeping our culture alive, she added.” One of the most ambitious elements of this year’s festival will be a large-scale cultural flashmob bringing together Odissi, Sambalpuri and Dhemsa. Participants ranging from seven-year-old children to adults will come together for the performance, with organisers attempting to establish a world record for the largest such Odia cultural flashmob outside India. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak, one of the lead organisers, said, “We are proud to be Odia, and we see ourselves as ambassadors of our culture. When we live outside India, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to share our heritage with the wider world and ensure our children know where they come from.” “But this is not simply about a record. It is about bringing children, parents and communities together. We want our young people to experience our culture, participate in it and feel proud of it,” Pattnayak said. The festival will feature more than 60 international and community stalls, creating a platform for businesses, entrepreneurs, artists, food producers, cultural organisations and community groups. Bali Jatra UK was first organised in Britain in 2024, making 2026 the festival’s third annual edition.
Over the past three years, the event has developed from a cultural gathering into a broader community platform bringing together families, children, artists, businesses, entrepreneurs and organisations. The organisers say the growth reflects the continued enthusiasm of the Odia community to preserve its heritage while creating new opportunities in Britain. In many ways, the journey reflects the original spirit of Bali Jatra, in which, centuries ago, Odia sailors travelled across the seas to create new trading and cultural connections. Today, the Odia diaspora is creating a new cultural journey in Britain—bringing its language, dance, traditions, food, stories and entrepreneurial spirit to a new generation.
