Diwali in Leicester

Leicester’s Diwali festivities are famous the world over, bringing the local South Asian community together to celebrate the festival of light with the wider population.

Enjoy traditional Rangoli art and ride aboard the iconic illuminated big wheel and explore the fantastic Sari and jewellery shops of the Golden Mile as they really come to life, and of course, try the delicious range of food that gained Leicester the title of England’s Curry Capital.

Diwali is a very special time of the year in and around Leicester, with the Asian community coming together to celebrate with the wider city. The Diwali lights will be up on Melton Road from 17 October until Diwali Day on 8 November, and it’s the perfect time to explore the Golden Mile and discover what makes the Festival of Light such a special time in Leicester.

The fun takes place in Cossington Recreation Ground, just off the Golden Mile, where there will be food, entertainment from the Aakash Odedra Company and Philharmonia orchestra, laser show and Heliosphere and lots more! The Diwali Village will also offer a wonderful selection of food stalls, where visitors can enjoy delicious South Asian flavours, as well as Billy Bates Funfair. You can also experience the beautiful Har Har Rangoli Exhibition at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre on Sat 7 and Sun 8 November, with incredible artworks made by pouring sand.

Join a FREE celebration with a day of dance, entertainment, crafts and more, plus community dance and music groups sharing their traditions, stories and cultures

Join a fun, FREE, family-friendly Diwali celebration at Beaumont Shopping Centre from 11am to 4pm. There will be free family crafts, live music, Bhangra dancing, Dhol drumming, henna and face painting, with something for everyone to enjoy.

An evening of classical music and timeless melodies at Leicester Cathedral. Join an evening of music reimagining familiar melodies on sitar, sarangi and tabla featuring Sandeep Kandola, Harminder Sahota and Harkiran Sahota. Tickets available here.

The Diwali lights in Loughborough are turned on at the Town Hall on Monday 26 October.

Celebrate the festival of light on Saturday 31 October with musical performances by Leicester young musicians alongside celebrated South Asian artist Daljit Neer and his son Bhindarjit Neer. An exciting programme brings together traditional South Asian music and dance styles with our Western ensembles. Book your tickets here

Celebrate Diwali by the water with a magical evening of lights, music, and family fun. Running from 5.30pm to 8pm, enjoy stunning light displays, a live DJ, toasted marshmallows around the fire pit, and warm drinks. Activity tickets are also available for climbing, bell boating, balance beams, aerial trekking, and the Powerfan.Info and tickets here

Just before this year’s Diwali celebrations, discover the story of how the sudden influx of Ugandan Asian refugees fleeing the tyranny of Idi Amin rejuvenated a dilapidated Victorian area of Leicester and led to the creation of The Golden Mile. Hosted by Jim Butler the creator, writer and producer of the popular ‘Hidden Histories of Leicester’ series. Tickets from Leicester Museum website.

Experience the magic of Diwali at the UK’s biggest indoor Diwali Shopping Festival, held at the Ramgarhia Community Centre, just minutes from Leicester’s iconic Golden Mile. Discover over 70 exhibitors from across the UK offering fashion, jewellery, home décor, gifts, beauty, and delicious food, alongside entertainment, cultural performances, exclusive giveaways, and family-friendly attractions. More info here.

This family favourite returns to the Peepul Centre with a visually stunning, heartwarming production performed by talented local children. Celebrating the triumph of good over evil, it weaves the epic stories of Rama, Sita, and Hanuman together with Guru Hargobind Rai’s historic release of 52 Rajas. This rich narrative unfolds through vibrant music, expressive dances, Bhajans, Shabads, and Sufiana Bhajans. Book your tickets here!

Fosse Park will host The Diwali Bazaar outside Food Central from 12 noon to 4pm. This exciting and vibrant day of celebration will feature live South Asian entertainment, cultural performances, and artisan market stalls.

Little Journey is a children’s adaptation of the Akash Odedra Company’s award-winning Samsara, inspired by Journey to the West. Developed here and premiering in the city before heading to New York, the production is a fantastic example of the exciting work being created by Leicester-based artists and organisations.

Celebrate the festival of light for FREE with a giant Rangoli colouring wall and the chance to make a charm-bracelet to give to a friend or member of your family. From 11am-5pm, head to East Square (near Luke1977 and Damaged Society) to join the fun!

Lanterns of the Wild opens on 6 November, just in time for Diwali weekend. See the wild in a whole new light and discover all-new India Illuminated, rich with colour, wildlife and spectacular new lantern landscapes. You can get 20% OFF over the Diwali weekend (6, 7 and 8 November) by using the code VISITLANTERNS20​. This applies to Lanterns tickets, or Lanterns Day and Night bundles, not the VIP experience.

Tickets are available here.