Where to Celebrate Diwali in London 2025: A Local’s Guide to the Festival of Lights
There’s something about London in autumn. The days get shorter, the air turns crisp, and just as the city starts to feel darker Diwali lights it up again.
This year, Diwali falls on 20 October 2025, but London’s celebrations will spread across the whole month with dance, food, lights, and music filling the streets, museums, community spaces, and landmarks.
If it’s your first time experiencing Diwali in London, you’re in for something unforgettable. This isn’t just a festival you watch it’s one you feel all over the city. And the best part? Whether you want huge free events or small local gatherings, there’s something for everyone.
Let’s walk through the best places to celebrate Diwali 2025 in London from iconic Trafalgar Square to hidden community gems.
Trafalgar Square — The Heart of London’s Diwali
If London has one big “Diwali moment,” it’s Diwali on the Square the city’s official celebration right in Trafalgar Square.
This year, it’s happening on Sunday 12 October 2025 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and it’s completely free. The event brings together Londoners from every background to celebrate through dance, music, food, and storytelling.
You can expect:
A grand opening ceremony with traditional aarti and live performances
Dancers, drummers, and cultural showcases from Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities
Family-friendly workshops like sari and turban tying, rangoli making, yoga, and puppet theatre
Food stalls serving everything from samosas and chaat to vegan sweets and warm chai.
As the sun sets and the lights switch on, Trafalgar Square feels transformed glowing diyas, upbeat music, and a sense of shared joy that’s rare to find in such a busy city.
If you’re a first-timer, this is the easiest and most magical way to experience Diwali in London.
🪔 Greenwich Peninsula — The Festival Procession
For something a little more local and a lot more interactive, Greenwich Peninsula’s Diwali is a beautiful celebration.
On Saturday 2 November 2025, the area will host lantern-making workshops, Dandiya and Garba dance sessions, and an illuminated procession through the streets. It’s family-friendly, artistic, and a lot less crowded than central London.
You’ll find street food stalls tucked between glowing arches, music spilling out from performance corners, and a lantern parade that lights up Barton Yard like a scene from a film.
It’s the kind of celebration where you can join in, not just watch.
National Maritime Museum — Lanterns by the River
Greenwich also has another gem: the National Maritime Museum’s Diwali Festival, set for 25 October 2025.
This one’s perfect if you’re with family or want something calmer and cultural. The museum will host free workshops, storytelling sessions, dance performances, and an enchanting lantern parade along the riverside at sunset.
It’s not just about spectacle it’s about learning the stories behind the festival. Whether you’re lighting your first diya or have grown up celebrating Diwali, this event has a beautiful, reflective energy.
Royal Albert Hall — A Diwali Story on Stage
If you want to go beyond markets and workshops, The Royal Albert Hall’s “Diwali Story” offers a more immersive celebration.
This theatrical performance mixes live music, dance, and storytelling to bring the spirit of Diwali to life on stage. It’s visually stunning, emotionally powerful, and a reminder of how London embraces the festival in its own creative way.
Seats sell out early, so if you’re planning to go, book ahead. This is Diwali for those who love a touch of drama and artistry.
Dishoom’s Diwali Party — Where Food Meets Festivity
Sometimes, Diwali isn’t about the big public events. It’s about warm lights, good food, and being surrounded by people who are ready to celebrate.
Every year, Dishoom London’s beloved Indian restaurant group hosts a Diwali Party. In 2025, it’s happening on 16 October at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow.
Think live music, vibrant decor, delicious festive feasts, and dancing until late. It’s one of the most stylish and welcoming Diwali nights in the city.
You’ll want to book this one in advance too it’s hugely popular.
London Zoo — Diwali in the Land of the Lions
Yes, even the zoo gets in on the celebration. On 17 October 2025, London Zoo will transform the “Land of the Lions” into a festival space with rangoli, diya installations, craft workshops, and colourful lights.
It’s a brilliant pick for families with kids you can wander through the glowing decorations, meet the animals, and join creative workshops all in one afternoon.
There aren’t many places where you can spot a lion and make a diya in the same day. Only in London.
Community Celebrations & Parties
Some of the best Diwali moments happen away from the headlines. Across London, smaller community groups and cultural centres host dinners, parties, and music nights that are full of warmth and real local spirit.
For example:
Mauritian Dodo Diwali Family Party (25 October) brings live music, Sega dancing, and good food in North London.
Greenwich Diwali Dinner & Dance offers a more relaxed evening with live performers and traditional feasts.
If you’re new to the city or want something low-key and friendly, these events are a fantastic way to celebrate without big crowds.
How to Make the Most of Diwali in London
Celebrating Diwali here isn’t about picking just one event it’s about building your own little festival trail.
You could start with the official Trafalgar Square celebration one weekend, visit Greenwich the next, and finish it off with a dinner party or theatre night. That’s the beauty of London it lets you dip into the festival in so many different ways.
A few simple tips to make it smoother:
Arrive early at major events like Trafalgar Square to get a good spot.
Book ahead for anything ticketed (especially Royal Albert Hall or Dishoom).
Dress warm but festive — London nights in October can be chilly.
Take the Tube instead of driving; road closures and big crowds are common.
Bring cash or a card for food stalls — trust me, you’ll want to try everything.
Why London’s Diwali Hits Different
There’s something truly special about celebrating Diwali in a city like London. It’s global and local at once. You can stand in the middle of Trafalgar Square surrounded by thousands of people and still find a moment of quiet when the diyas are lit.
It’s the warmth of strangers dancing together at Greenwich. It’s hearing tabla rhythms echo under the Royal Albert Hall’s dome. It’s chai steam rising into a cold night sky outside Dishoom.
London doesn’t just observe Diwali it lives it, neighbourhood by neighbourhood.
Final Thoughts & Your Diwali Trail
If you’re in London this October, don’t just attend one event. Build a trail. Go big at Trafalgar Square. Find a quiet lantern-lit moment at Greenwich. Dance the night away at Dishoom. Watch a story unfold at Royal Albert Hall.
Let the festival of lights guide you through the city in its own unique way.
And if you want to keep discovering more hidden events, cultural moments, and real local recommendations follow @london.yaar I share the kind of London you don’t always find in guidebooks the London that glows brightest when you look a little closer.