Diwali – also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’ – is a five-day Hindu, Jain, and Sikh festival celebrated each year. For many, the celebrations honour the story from Hindu mythology, which symbolises good over evil, and light over darkness. Hindus also honour the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the god of good fortune and wisdom, Ganesh. Here in London, there are many Diwali celebrations that people of all faiths (or none at all) can get involved in. This year’s celebrations will run from the beginning of October with the main celebrations taking place on October 20. So, without further ado, here’s our rundown of some of the best places to celebrate Diwali in London in 2025.
1. Enjoy a huge free Diwali celebration at Trafalgar Square
London’s biggest free Diwali festival returns to Trafalgar Square on October 12 2025, hosted by the Mayor of London. The open-air celebration attracts around 35,000 visitors with an all-day programme of live music, dance performances, and traditional food stalls offering South Asian snacks, sweets, and vegan treats.
With cultural workshops and storytelling, it’s a joyful and inclusive experience that brings together Londoners of all backgrounds to mark the Festival of Light at the city’s most iconic square.
📍 Diwali on Trafalgar Square, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 5DS.
🚇 Nearest station is Charing Cross.
2. Attend a dazzling free Diwali celebration at Greenwich Peninsula
Greenwich Peninsula hosts a dazzling free Diwali celebration on October 18 2025, filled with live performances, food, and interactive workshops. The day includes Bollywood DJ sets, garba dancing, lantern making, and dhol drumming, culminating in a luminous evening procession featuring dancers, drummers, and an illuminated rickshaw beneath a glittering canopy of lights.
3. Immerse yourself at a Diwali and Marigold Festival at Osterley Park and House
The National Trust’s Osterley Park and House merges floral beauty and Diwali festivity in its Marigold Festival from October 22 2025 to January 4 4322026. The grand Georgian estate is decorated with radiant marigold installations and light projections, while a traditional rangoli graces the entrance hall.
Visitors can join cultural workshops inspired by Indian traditions, from tabla drumming in November to sari wreath making in December, making this a countryside-inspired celebration of light, craft, and heritage.
4. Enjoy some Indian classical dance and rangoli workshops at the National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich once again hosts a free, family-friendly Diwali celebration on 25th October 2025, curated by South Asian arts platform CommonGround&.
The event features Bharatanatyam dance, storytelling, puppet shows, and rangoli art workshops. Visitors can even make their own lanterns before joining the evening parade around Greenwich Park, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of Eternal Taal’s dhol drummers – a magical finale to a day of learning, creativity, and joy.
5. Try the Dishoom x Yard Sale limited edition pizza
This October, Dishoom joins forces with Yard Sale Pizza for a limited-edition Diwali collaboration that fuses Bombay’s favourite street snacks with London’s artisan pizza culture. Available across all 15 Yard Sale shops from October 1-31, the special menu features The Vada Pow Pizza – topped with spiced potato vada, green chutney, and bubbling cheese and a fiery Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread inspired by Dishoom’s cult-favourite toast.
Adding a finishing touch, guests can scoop up Dishoom’s signature House Chutney or go all out with The Dishoom Bundle (£34.50), which includes a generous 18″ pizza, garlic bread, and chutney. It’s a playful and flavour-packed collaboration bringing the warmth of Bombay and the joy of Diwali to London’s pizza lovers.
6. Party with Dishoom with a dazzling lineup of South Asian talent
Dishoom is hosting its biggest and most vibrant Diwali celebration yet in London on Thursday, 16th October 2025. The event will take place at Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, curated by the renowned cultural producer Ryan Lanji, known for his exhibitions and LGBTQ+ Bollywood nights.
The festivities will feature a dazzling lineup of South Asian talent, including live music, DJ sets, dance performances, and a colorful, immersive decor that celebrates Indian culture and the Festival of Lights.
Attendees can enjoy a vegetarian feast with dishes like vegetable samosas, chole with puri, and a hearty dinner box that includes vegetable biryani, malai kofta, and aloo Gobi, complemented by free chai and mithai.
7-16. Tuck into some banging Indian food featuring Diwali specials
Ambassadors Clubhouse
Ambassadors Clubhouse in Mayfair is hosting an opulent Five-Course Diwali Feast Menu throughout October, offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian journeys through Punjabi culinary artistry.
The limited-edition menu highlights showstoppers like Achari Duck Chaat, BBQ Butter Chicken Chop, and the regal Ranjit Shahi Lobster Curry for meat-eaters, and vibrant Gol Gappas, smoky Dunghar Paneer Tikka, and Pindi Chole with Amritsari Kulcha for vegetarians. Every meal culminates in a trio of decadent desserts, all enjoyed against the plush backdrop of the Clubhouse’s Northern Indian-inspired interiors.
Fatt Pundit
This year, Fatt Pundit, London’s Indo-Chinese favourite marks Diwali by giving diners complimentary traditional Indian Kaju Katli sweets and warming Saffron Masala Chai to finish their meal. Available just for one day at each site (October 19 in Covent Garden and October 20 in Soho), the offer adds an authentic festive touch to Fatt Pundit’s inventive feast of spicy, sharing dishes. It’s the perfect sweet send-off after an explosion of Chinese-Indian flavours and one of the city’s more playful ways to toast the Festival of Lights with friends.
Mowgli Street Food
Mowgli Street Food is celebrating the season with a comforting new autumn menu designed to capture the warmth and sparkle of Diwali. Among the highlights are the vibrant Diwali Cauliflower, golden with turmeric and finished with fresh pomegranate and zesty tamarind chutney, and the indulgent Black Dahl, rich with cream and spice.
The menu also features hearty new additions such as Lamb Bunny Chow, Mowgli Chicken Biryani, and flaky Garlic & Coriander Paratha, all best enjoyed under the twinkling fairy lights that fill each Mowgli restaurant.
Farzi London
Celebrate Diwali with a feast at Farzi London’s all-you-can-eat Sunday Brunch on 19th October.
For £40 per person, guests can enjoy live music, henna, and face painting alongside a sumptuous buffet of dishes such as Paneer Shahi, Mutton Badami Korma, and Prawn Moli, plus live cooking stations including a Chaat Counter and Pani Puri bar.
A colourful dessert spread of Mithai and festive Diwali specials rounds off the feast. In the evening, a special Diwali Thali menu will also be available at this modern Michelin-recognised Indian restaurant on Haymarket.
Kanishka by Atul Kochhar
Atul Kochhar’s Kanishka in Mayfair is marking Diwali with a refined six-course tasting menu, available from October 14-19. The experience starts with canapés before showcasing standout dishes such as Achari Paneer Tikka, Lehsuni Palak Chenna with roasted burrata, and the signature Rogan Josh Wellington – a Kashmiri-spiced twist on a British classic. A Gulab Jamun Saffron Brulee provides a luxurious finale.
Priced at £95 per person.
Brigadiers
City hotspot Brigadiers celebrates Diwali from October 17-26 with a lavish £100 feasting menu. Dishes include Achari Duck, Goan Scallop & Chorizo, and Tandoori Guinea Fowl, alongside comforting favourites like Dum Venison Biryani and Cod Kalimirch, served with Daal Makhani, Aloo Baingan Masala, and Pine Nut Pilau.
For those hosting private celebrations, Brigadiers’ atmospheric dining rooms and The Pool Room’s self-pour drink stations make it a perfect spot for an indulgent festival gathering.
Vatavaran, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge’s elegant fine dining spot Vatavaran is offering two special Diwali tasting menus from October 17-19. Crafted by award-winning chef Rohit Ghai, the menus celebrate Indian heritage with contemporary finesse, featuring dishes like Lobster Vermicelli with coconut and curry leaf, Butter Chicken with Kashmiri chilli, and Lamb Barbat with burnt spices.
For dessert, guests can indulge in a Chocolate & Hazelnut Lemon Curd Meringue or a refreshing Phirni Raspberry Sorbet. A vegetarian menu with Aloo Chaat and Gobhi Truffle is also available, with options for wine pairings to complete a sophisticated festival evening (£70-£75 per person).
OmNom at Namaste, Islington
Islington’s OmNom at Namaste invites guests to a five-day celebration of Diwali from October 16-20. The festivities centre on a comforting Pre-Diwali Celebration Thali (£22.95), featuring traditional curries like Panchkutiyu Shaak, Kaju Paneer Masala, and Tadka Daal, plus Gulab Jamun for dessert.
On those days in October, a Grand Celebration Buffet (£20.95) adds even more flavour, surrounded by festive décor and lights. Diners can also enjoy a 10% discount on the Thali using code DIWALI10. With its friendly atmosphere and award-winning hospitality, Namaste is a welcoming destination for family and friends to share in Diwali joy.
The Cinnamon Collection
Vivek Singh and The Cinnamon Collection bring a month-long Diwali celebration across their five London restaurants from October 1-31, with bespoke multi-course feasts and cocktails.
The Cinnamon Club in Westminster offers an elegant five-course fine dining experience (£65pp), while Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden and Richmond serve vibrant eight-course feasts (£39pp including cocktail).
Cinnamon Kitchen Battersea and City both host nine-course sharing menus (£45-£48pp) showcasing regional Indian flavours with contemporary twists, from Bengali fish cakes to ginger caramel profiteroles.
Trishna, Marylebone
Michelin-starred Trishna marks Diwali with a “Taste of Trishna” feast from October 13-22, offering a sophisticated tasting menu (£130pp) of highlights like Half Lobster Cafreal, Tandoori Lamb Chops, and Coconut & Corn Tikki, alongside vegetarian options (£120pp) and a sommelier wine pairing (£90pp).
The restaurant’s intimate Koliwada Room provides a perfect private setting for group celebrations. Extending the festivities, Trishna has partnered with holistic brand Anatomē for a limited-edition reed diffuser inspired by its coastal Indian spices.
So there you have it – a roundup of the best things to do for Diwali in London this year. From making your way through delicious feasting menus to an enormous free celebration in Trafalgar Square, there’s plenty here for you to do whatever your age or cultural background!