Top Diwali Events in the UK 2025: A Complete Guide to Celebrations

When the nights in the UK start getting longer and colder, the Festival of Lights arrives to brighten streets, homes, and hearts. Diwali in the UK is more than just a festival. It is a blend of tradition, community, and joy that draws people of all backgrounds together. If you are wondering where to celebrate Diwali in 2025, you’ll find that the UK has some of the most colorful and vibrant events outside India. From Trafalgar Square in London to community festivals in Northampton, here’s your complete guide to the best Diwali events across the country.

What is Diwali and When is Diwali in the UK 2025

Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families gather, homes are decorated with diyas, and communities come alive with fireworks, food, and cultural performances.

In 2025, Diwali will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, with events and festivals taking place throughout October.

Major Public Diwali Festival 2025 Events Across the UK

The following are the most popular Deepawali 2025 celebration places in the United Kingdom:

1. Diwali on the Square, London

London’s Diwali on the Square is one of the biggest celebrations in the UK. Held at Trafalgar Square, it brings thousands of people together for music, dance, workshops, and delicious Indian food. It is a free, open-air event that captures the true spirit of Diwali.

• Date: Sunday, 12 October 2025, 1 pm – 7 pm
• Venue: Trafalgar Square, Westminster, London

2. Diwali at Marble Hill House, Twickenham

If you want to celebrate Diwali in a scenic setting, Marble Hill House is the perfect spot. This historic English Heritage property hosts an evening of lights, drumming, giant puppets, and creative workshops that both adults and children enjoy.

• Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025
• Venue: Marble Hill House, Twickenham, London

3. Diwali at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

Families love the Diwali celebration at the National Maritime Museum. The event includes storytelling sessions, traditional performances, and a vibrant light procession that fills Greenwich with festive energy.

• Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
• Venue: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

4. Hounslow Diwali Mela

Hounslow is home to a large South Asian community, and its Diwali Mela is a highlight every year. Expect Bollywood music, traditional dance, food stalls, and plenty of family-friendly activities.

• Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
• Venue: Kingsley Academy, Cecil Road, Hounslow, London

5. Northampton Diwali Winter Festival of Lights

Northampton marks 25 years of its Diwali Winter Festival of Lights in 2025. The celebration includes a lantern parade, cultural performances, food stalls, and arts and crafts. It is one of the most family-friendly Diwali events in the UK.

• Date: Saturday, 18 October 2025
• Venue: Market Square, Northampton

6. Leicester Diwali Shopping Festival

While Leicester’s large outdoor Golden Mile celebrations are scaled back in 2025, the Diwali Shopping Festival at the Ramgharia Community Centre ensures that the city still celebrates in style. You’ll find stalls with jewellery, fashion, gifts, and festive food.

• Date: Sunday, 12 October 2025, 12 pm – 8 pm
• Venue: Ramgharia Community Centre, Leicester

7. Diwali Utsav 2025, Platinum Suite Leicester

Another cultural highlight in Leicester is Diwali Utsav at Platinum Suite. This two-day celebration includes traditional performances, music, and food that bring the community together.

• Date: Friday, 17 October and Saturday, 18 October 2025
• Venue: Platinum Suite, Leicester

8. Royal Albert Hall, London – “Diwali Story”

For those who enjoy theatre and live performances, the Royal Albert Hall presents a musical called “Diwali Story”. It combines dance, music, and storytelling to narrate the significance of Diwali.

• Date: Saturday, 4 October 2025
• Venue: Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, London

9. Edinburgh Diwali (Scotland)

If you want to experience one of the most spectacular Diwali celebrations outside India, Edinburgh Diwali is the place to be. The highlight is the vibrant parade through the city’s New Town, where dancers, drummers, and performers light up the streets with energy. It’s not just an Indian festival here; Scottish bagpipes often join in, giving you a unique cultural fusion you won’t see anywhere else. Add fireworks, food stalls, and a buzzing crowd, and you’ve got a festival that truly brings Diwali to life in Scotland.

• Date: Sunday, 2 November 2025
• Venue: Parade and performances in Edinburgh’s New Town, main stage at Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens

10. Diwali Mela at St Fagans, Cardiff (Wales)

Cardiff’s Diwali Mela at St Fagans is perfect if you’re looking for a family-friendly festival with a cultural twist. Set in the beautiful grounds of the National Museum of History, the mela blends fun with tradition. You can learn how to drape a saree, try your hand at rangoli, enjoy mehndi designs, or even join a yoga session. Kids love the craft zones, while adults enjoy the music and food. The relaxed, open-air setting makes this mela feel like a community picnic with Diwali spirit.

• Date: Saturday, 11 October 2025, from 10:30 AM
• Venue: St Fagans National Museum of History, Cardiff, Wales

11. Belfast Diwali – Lighting Lives, Beyond Lamps (Northern Ireland)

If you’re in Northern Ireland, Belfast Diwali at City Hall is a must-visit. The event is built around the theme “Lighting Lives, Beyond Lamps,” focusing on unity, hope, and community spirit. You’ll see traditional lamps lit against the backdrop of Belfast’s iconic City Hall, cultural performances on stage, and food that reminds you of India. It’s not the biggest Diwali event in the UK, but it has a warm, community-driven feel that makes it truly special.

• Date: Saturday, 25 October 2025
• Venue: Belfast City Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Family and Community Events Across the UK

Apart from these major celebrations, smaller Diwali events are planned in local community halls, temples, and cultural centres across the country. From rangoli workshops in Birmingham to light switch-ons in local parks, you will find Diwali celebrated in almost every corner of the UK.

Tips for Attending Diwali Events in the UK

• Check local council or event websites for updated timings and entry details.
• Some events are free while others require tickets in advance.
• Public transport is the best way to reach large gatherings like Trafalgar Square.
• Carry some cash for food stalls and small purchases.
• Dress warmly as most outdoor events continue into chilly evenings.

Whether you are in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, or anywhere in between, Diwali in the UK 2025 offers something for everyone. From massive public festivals to intimate community melas, each event brings the warmth of lights, music, food, and tradition. If you plan ahead and pick the right event, you can be part of one of the brightest and most joyful festivals in the world, right here in the UK.