Your Ultimate Guide to Diwali 2025 in the UK: Dates, Events & Traditions

Diwali 2025, the Festival of Lights, will be celebrated across the UK with vibrant events, fireworks, and cultural festivities. Starting on Friday, October 17, the five-day festival peaks with Laxmi Puja on Monday, October 20, when families worship Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Cities like London, Leicester, and Birmingham will host spectacular Diwali events, from light displays and temple celebrations to food festivals and fireworks

Introduction to Diwali 2025

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant celebrations for Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities worldwide. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

In 2025, Diwali falls on Monday, October 20. Although it’s not a national holiday in the UK, Diwali is widely celebrated, especially in cities with large South Asian populations.

Many wonder: How many days is Diwali? Traditionally, Diwali spans five days, with each day holding its own religious and cultural importance. Here's a breakdown of each day:

1. Dhanteras: An auspicious day for buying gold, silver, and new household items. It marks the beginning of Diwali celebrations.


2. Narak Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali): This day symbolizes the victory of good over evil and is celebrated with early morning rituals and lighting lamps.


3. Laxmi Puja (Main Diwali Day): Families worship Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity, light diyas, decorate homes with rangoli and fairy lights, and enjoy feasts and fireworks.


4. Govardhan Puja: A day to honor Lord Krishna's protection of the villagers. Families perform rituals and prepare festive meals.


5. Bhai Dooj: The final day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters with prayers, gifts, and special meals.

Across these five days, homes and communities come alive with lights, prayers, gifts, and joyous celebrations.

How Diwali is Celebrated in the UK

In the UK, Diwali has grown into a vibrant and inclusive festival celebrated by communities far beyond the South Asian diaspora. Major cities light up with stunning displays, while homes, temples, and public spaces come alive with festivities, religious ceremonies, and community events.

Key traditions that define Diwali celebrations across the UK include:

Lighting Diyas and Candles: Homes and temples glow with light, symbolizing hope, prosperity, and the triumph of good over evil.

Rangoli Art: Colorful patterns crafted from powders, flowers, or rice decorate entrances, welcoming guests and positive energy.

Laxmi Pooja: Families perform prayers to Goddess Laxmi, seeking blessings for wealth, health, and happiness in the year ahead.

Sharing Sweets and Gifts: Loved ones exchange traditional Indian sweets and thoughtful gifts to celebrate togetherness.

Wearing New Clothes and Jewellery: People dress in vibrant ethnic wear, often adorning themselves with gold or traditional Diwali jewellery.

Many Hindu temples across the UK host Laxmi Pooja, cultural performances, storytelling sessions, and community Diwali fairs, welcoming people of all backgrounds to experience the festival’s rich traditions.

Top Cities & Must-Visit Diwali Events in the UK 2025

Diwali 2025 will be celebrated across the UK with grand events, colorful light displays, and cultural festivities. Major cities like London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, and Edinburgh will host vibrant celebrations, including fireworks, traditional performances, food festivals, and temple gatherings. From the dazzling Golden Mile in Leicester to the iconic Trafalgar Square Diwali in London, each city offers unique ways to experience the Festival of Lights.

London Diwali 2025 Events and Celebrations

Diwali on the Square – Trafalgar Square :

Diwali on the Square 2025 at Trafalgar Square is one of the biggest Diwali celebrations in London, set to take place in late October. This free event welcomes everyone to experience the spirit of Diwali 2025 with vibrant cultural activities, traditional performances, and a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city.

The celebration features music and dance performances by London’s Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities, including an opening act with over 200 dancers. Visitors can explore interactive zones like the Kids’ Zone, Yoga & Meditation sessions, Sari & Turban try-on areas, and enjoy intricate henna art.

A lively market will offer vegan and vegetarian South Asian food stalls serving delicious Diwali treats. With over 35,000 people expected, Diwali 2025 at Trafalgar Square promises a joyful mix of food, culture, and unity—making it a must-visit event in London’s Diwali calendar.

Devonshire Square Diwali

The Devonshire Square Diwali celebration 2025 is another exciting event happening in central London in late October. This free event offers visitors a chance to experience traditional Diwali festivities in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

The celebration features live South Asian dance performances, colorful Rangoli art displays, and complimentary henna tattoos, available on a first-come, first-served basis. It's a wonderful way to enjoy the artistic side of Diwali 2025 in London.

Wembley Park Diwali Weekend Festival

The Wembley Park Diwali Weekend Festival 2025 promises a vibrant three-day celebration packed with cultural experiences and festive energy. Visitors can enjoy live music, Bollywood dance performances, and a stunning lantern parade that lights up the entire area, creating a magical atmosphere.

The festival also features a lively market filled with South Asian delicacies, traditional arts, crafts, and local traders. It’s the perfect family-friendly event to experience the flavors, colors, and joyful spirit of Diwali 2025 in London.

Greenwich Peninsula Diwali

At Greenwich Peninsula, the Diwali celebrations in 2025 are expected to return with a blend of traditional dance, music, henna art, and chai tea ceremonies. Guests can also participate in creative workshops like lantern making, leading up to the Riverside Lantern Parade in the evening.

The event also includes food stalls serving flavorful Indian dishes and DJs providing festive music throughout the day.

Harrow Fireworks Diwali Display

The Harrow Fireworks Diwali Display 2025 is a local favorite, bringing families together for a vibrant night of dazzling fireworks, live music, and festive food. It’s a perfect way to celebrate Diwali 2025 in London, blending classic British fireworks tradition with South Asian cultural festivities.

Diwali at London Zoo

London Zoo also joins the Diwali celebrations by hosting special educational activities designed for children and families. Guests can learn about animal symbolism in Hindu mythology, enjoy themed decorations, and participate in fun Diwali-inspired experiences throughout the zoo.

Leicester Diwali 2025 – The UK’s Largest Diwali Celebration

Golden Mile and Cossington Street Recreation Ground

Leicester is home to one of the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India, drawing tens of thousands of visitors every year. The festivities are centered around the city’s famous Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) and Cossington Street Recreation Ground.

The celebration begins with the spectacular Diwali Lights Switch-On and concludes with a grand Diwali Day finale. Belgrave Road transforms into a glittering display with thousands of decorative LED lights illuminating the streets throughout the festival period.

A major attraction is the Wheel of Light, a 35-meter Ferris wheel offering panoramic views of the Golden Mile and the vibrant celebrations below.

Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy street performances, including live music, traditional dance, DJ sets, and street art that bring the entire area to life with festive energy.

At Cossington Diwali Village, families will find a range of entertainment options:

Cultural stage shows featuring traditional performances
1. Children’s funfair rides
2. Food stalls serving Indian snacks and drinks
3. A mesmerizing Fire Garden display

The highlight of Leicester’s Diwali celebrations is the grand fireworks display, scheduled for 7:30 PM on Diwali Day. This breathtaking show lights up the night sky and is a must-see for everyone attending.

Local temples such as ISKCON Leicester and the Shri Swaminarayan Temple also host special Laxmi Pooja ceremonies and community gatherings, adding a spiritual element to the city’s celebrations.

Temples Hosting Diwali Celebrations in 2025

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir – Neasden, London

Known as Neasden Temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir hosts one of the largest Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations in the UK. Open to everyone, the temple offers a rich blend of devotional activities, charity drives, and cultural displays. Visitors experience vibrant decorations, traditional rituals, and a beautiful Annakut (a mountain of food offered to the deities). It’s a spiritual and community celebration where family values, goodwill, and devotion take center stage.

Bhaktivedanta Manor – Watford

At Bhaktivedanta Manor, thousands gather annually for Diwali celebrations filled with stage performances, dramas, devotional music, and free vegetarian meals. Visitors can also meet the temple’s beloved cows and take in the serene atmosphere. One of the most special moments is witnessing Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman on the beautifully decorated altar, surrounded by lamps symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.

Inspired by Lord Rama’s homecoming, this beautiful Diwali trail leads families to a shimmering lake where they can release glowing lotus flower candles and floating ghee lamps. As night falls, thousands of candles light up the water, creating a breathtaking sight reflecting the spiritual essence of Diwali.

ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple

ISKCON-London Radha-Krishna Temple also hosts a vibrant Diwali celebration filled with devotion and community spirit. Following a stunning classical dance performance, the temple presents its first-ever Diwali Kirtan Mela, where visitors can immerse themselves in soulful devotional singing. Devotees will have the special opportunity to offer aarti plates to the deities, adding a deeply spiritual experience to the day. The celebration also features henna art stalls, a variety of devotional books, and cultural exhibits. Throughout the afternoon, Maha-prasadam will be lovingly distributed, allowing everyone to share in the blessings of the festival.

Hindu Temple Nottingham

In Nottingham, the temple transforms into a magical wonderland of lights and colors during Diwali. Families light diyas, create colorful rangoli designs, and share the story of Lord Rama’s return and victory over Ravan, reminding everyone that good always triumphs over evil. It’s a festival of togetherness, where homes glow, sweets are shared, and the community comes alive in celebration.

Shri Sanatan Mandir – Leicester

One of Leicester’s oldest and most prominent Hindu temples, Shri Sanatan Mandir, hosts large-scale Laxmi Pooja, cultural performances, and Diwali fairs. Families gather here for prayers, rangoli competitions, and to share festive meals, making it a central part of Leicester’s Diwali traditions.

Shree Ghanapathy Temple – Wimbledon, London

As the first Hindu temple established in the UK, Shree Ghanapathy Temple in Wimbledon sees thousands gather during Diwali for Ganapathy Homam, special prayers, and vibrant community celebrations. The temple becomes a hub for cultural performances, devotional music, and spiritual gatherings.

ISKCON Temples Nationwide

Temples under ISKCON UK (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) hold elaborate Diwali celebrations with kirtans, drama performances, prasadam feasts, and educational sessions explaining the festival’s deeper meanings. The celebrations highlight Lord Krishna and Rama’s stories, spreading messages of love, compassion, and victory of light.

Tips for Celebrating Diwali Safely in the UK

Firework Safety: Buy licensed fireworks and follow local regulations

Respect community noise levels and environmental guidelines

Prepare for colder weather with outdoor celebrations

Is Diwali a Public Holiday in the UK?

While Diwali is not a public holiday in the UK, it’s widely celebrated, especially in multicultural cities. Many schools and workplaces acknowledge it, offering flexibility.

Conclusion

Diwali 2025 in the UK promises a magical mix of lights, culture, food, and community spirit. From London’s iconic Trafalgar Square celebration to Leicester’s breathtaking fireworks, there’s something for everyone.

Whether you're shopping for gold jewellery, enjoying traditional sweets, or attending Laxmi Pooja, Diwali in the UK is a vibrant, inclusive experience.