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Where to celebrate Diwali in the UK: From Leicester’s Diwali Day to Edinburgh’s parade
Diwali brings fireworks, food and colourful parades across Britain. Discover the best celebrations in Leicester, London and Edinburgh.
This month, Britain lights up for Diwali, with vibrant parades, mesmerizing firework displays, and traditional temple ceremonies.
Every year, the UK stands out as one of the best places to celebrate Diwali outside of India, but this year’s celebrations bring some exciting changes.
Leicester’s Diwali festival moves back to Cossington Park after being scaled back in 2025. Meanwhile, London’s Neasden Temple is preparing its much-loved Annakut celebrations, and Edinburgh’s parade returns for its 11th year with the new addition of Hindu deity installations.
Here’s where to experience Diwali across the UK this November, what to expect, and how to join in.
When is Diwali in the UK in 2026?
Diwali 2026 festivities begin with Dhanteras on Friday, 6 November, followed by Lakshmi Puja on Sunday, 8 November, the main day of Diwali.
As Diwali isn’t a UK bank holiday, most public events are scheduled for the weekend of 7 and 8 November. On the same weekend, Sikh communities also mark Bandi Chhor Divas on 8 November, celebrating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji from imprisonment.
One exception is Edinburgh’s Diwali parade, which is scheduled for the following weekend (Sun Nov 15).
| Event | Where | 2026 date |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali fireworks | Byron Park, Harrow | Sat Nov 7 (ticketed) |
| Diwali at the museum | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich | Sat Nov 7 |
| Diwali Day | Cossington Park, Leicester | Sun Nov 8 |
| Diwali and Annakut | Neasden Temple, London | Sun Nov 8 |
| Edinburgh Diwali | New Town parade and Ross Bandstand | Sun Nov 15 |
London’s Trafalgar Square Diwali celebrations were scheduled for Sunday 25 October last month, but were canceled due to weather-related safety concerns.
Leicester: Diwali Day moves to Cossington Park
Leicester’s annual Diwali Day takes place on Sunday, November 8.
The festivities return to their original site, Cossington Recreation Ground, for 2026, after being scaled back last year. Moving back to the park eases crowding on Belgrave and Melton Roads, allowing you to enjoy plenty of food vendors, arts and crafts stalls, and the much-loved children’s funfair.
The festival’s highlight, though, is its diverse program of stage performances, from the Philharmonia Orchestra and the Aakash Odedra Company to a laser show. However, in 2026, there will be no fireworks display to close the night because of safety concerns.
Outside of the main event, the Golden Mile along Belgrave Road is already illuminated (since late October). The popular Wheel of Light returns on Belgrave Road, and Rangoli artworks will be on show at the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.
Just about an hour from the capital by train, Leicester makes for an excellent day trip from London during Diwali weekend.
London: Diwali at Neasden Temple
The Shri Swaminarayan Temple, more commonly known as Neasden Temple, is one of the largest Hindu temples outside India, and its Diwali celebrations are just as grand.
The temple hosts two “Annakuts,” monumental displays of hundreds of vegetarian dishes offered to the deities.
The first Annakut takes place on Sunday, November 8, from 10am to 7pm. You’ll also find food stalls around the temple grounds if the sight of all those food offerings makes you hungry!
Then that evening, Sharda Pujan (devotional book-blessing ceremonies) takes place from 5.00pm to 6.30pm, followed by a fireworks display at Gibbons Recreation Ground at 7:30pm.
On Tuesday 10th November, Neasden Temple hosts their second Annakut for the Hindu New Year.
The temple is open to the public and free to enter during the festivities. However, always follow temple etiquette by covering your shoulders and knees, removing your shoes, and refraining from taking photos inside.
If taking London public transport, the closest station is Neasden on the Jubilee Line. The temple is running free shuttle buses every 10 minutes from Neasden Station to the temple between 5:30pm and 7:30pm on Sunday.
London: Additional ways to spend Diwali weekend
Beyond the traditional ceremonies and fireworks at Neasden Temple, there are many other Diwali-inspired things to do in London this weekend.
Fireworks in Byron Park, Harrow
On Saturday, November 7, Byron Park in Harrow is hosting a huge fireworks display.
What’s unique about this event is that it brings together two celebrations: Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night, a British observance held every 5 November to commemorate the failure of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot.
Expect Diwali stage performances, followed by a musical fireworks display and a mega light show. The fireworks are scheduled for 7:45 pm, and it’s a ticketed event. Booking online costs less than paying at the gate.
Diwali day at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
For a daytime family-friendly event, head to the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. On Saturday, November 7, from 10:30am to 5pm, there’s a free Diwali event here with live music, dance performances, and plenty of fun activities and workshops.
Shopping for Dhanteras
If you want to partake in the Dhanteras tradition, Ealing Road in Wembley and Southall Broadway are the best Indian shopping spots in London. Here you’ll find plenty of Diwali sweets, festival outfits, jewelry, and other auspicious items.
Edinburgh: A Diwali parade through the New Town
If you miss the UK’s main Diwali festivities, you’ll have a second chance to celebrate in Edinburgh on Sunday, November 15.
The Edinburgh Diwali Parade returns for its 11th year. Assembling at 12:30pm in St Andrew Square, the parade winds through the New Town, featuring colorful floats with giant Hindu Gods
After the parade, you can enjoy live performances at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens from 3pm, followed by a fireworks display at 6.30 pm. The entire day is free and open to all, with no ticket needed.
New for 2026, Diwali Idols (sculptures of Hindu deities) will also be on display at the Ross Bandstand from Friday 6 November.
Edinburgh’s Diwali event opens the city’s winter festival season, which includes the world-famous Hogmanay celebrations at New Year’s.
Planning your Diwali weekend in the UK
For Leicester’s or Edinburgh’s Diwali events, book your train ticket as soon as possible, as UK train prices increase as the date approaches.
November in the UK is very cold and damp, especially in Scotland.
In London, temperatures drop to around 8°C (46°F) in the evenings, and lower in Edinburgh. So bring plenty of warm layers, a scarf and gloves, and waterproof shoes if the event is taking place in a field or park.
Finally, if you’re traveling to the UK from overseas, sort your mobile data solution before you fly. You can buy a UK SIM card at the airport or install a travel eSIM; just remember to turn off data roaming on your home line to avoid UK roaming fees.
Celebrate Diwali across the UK with Holafly
Hopping from Leicester’s Diwali Day to a temple visit in London means a lot of train times, maps, and messages to friends about where to meet. A Holafly eSIM for the United Kingdom gets you online as soon as you land, with unlimited data, 5G speeds where available, and 24/7 customer support. Install it before your trip, switch it on when you arrive, and keep your plans on track.
Holafly also makes travel easier with Always On, 1 GB of backup data every month at no additional cost. It activates automatically as long as the eSIM stays installed, renews monthly, and works in 150+ destinations. If your plan ends before the last train home or a weekend trip runs longer than expected, Always On keeps you connected to check times and get back on your way.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
