Mark the Festival of Lights with fireworks, creative workshops and festive feasts across the capital.
Diwali brings families and friends together to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Taking its name from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning a row of lights, the Hindu festival is marked by glowing diyas, shared meals and gifts of mithai, or traditional sweets. In 2026, Diwali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, with celebrations taking place over several days. London’s line-up spans temple festivities, fireworks displays, hands-on workshops and menus made for sharing. Whether you’re planning a family outing or gathering friends around the table, here’s where to celebrate Diwali in London this year.
Admire the Diwali Lights at Harrods
Harrods is illuminating its Knightsbridge façade with a Diwali display of light, colour and movement. Head to Brompton Road from 4pm to watch the show, then step inside for a programme of seasonal activities. Artist and calligrapher Sai Banerjee will personalise purchased Harrods Collection candles, while tea tastings and food sampling from Viras and Läderach add to the festivities. Live flute music and Diwali-inspired beauty experiences complete the celebrations.
Where: Harrods, 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, SW1X 7XL.
When: 6, 7 and November 2026
Website: www.harrods.com
Watch the Fireworks at Byron Park
Byron Park’s annual celebration brings Diwali and Guy Fawkes Night together for a family day out. Arrive early to explore the street food stalls and funfair, with henna, face painting and glitter tattoos adding to the entertainment. The evening builds towards a musical fireworks display lasting around 20 minutes. Entry is free between noon and 3pm, with paid tickets required later in the day.
Where: Byron Park, Harrow, London, HA3 7QX
When: Saturday 7 November 2026 at 7.30pm
Website: https://diwalifireworksdisplay.co.uk
Experience Diwali at Neasden Temple
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, widely known as Neasden Temple, welcomes visitors for a day of worship and community celebrations. The free programme includes Annakut Darshan, featuring elaborate food offerings, and Sharda Pujan, honouring Saraswati, the Hindu deity associated with knowledge, learning and the arts. A fireworks display at nearby Gibbons Recreation Ground brings the evening to a colourful close. Visitors should dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered.
Where: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Pramukh Swami Road, Neasden, London, NW10 8HW
When: Sunday 8 November 2026 from 10am to 8pm
Website: www.neasdentemple.org
Make a Zine With Poonam Dhuffer at Dishoom
For a quieter way to mark the festival, join artist and somatic practitioner Poonam Dhuffer at Dishoom Borough. Her hands-on workshop introduces zine-making through collage, colour, imagery and words, inviting participants to reflect on what they would like to welcome into the year ahead. All materials are provided, alongside bottomless chai and snacks. You’ll leave with a handmade booklet filled with personal reflections and intentions for 2027.
Where: Dishoom Borough, The Hop Exchange, 11–13 Park Street, London, SE1 9AB
When: Saturday 7 November 2026
Website: www.dishoom.com
Celebrate at the National Maritime Museum
Royal Museums Greenwich is bringing artists, performers, musicians and makers together for All Together Now, a free Diwali celebration at the National Maritime Museum. Curated by Mehala Ford, founder of COMMONGROUND&, the programme explores the strength of community through music, dance, storytelling and creative workshops. Browse the museum’s first Diwali Bazaar for work by South Asian designers and makers, or join conversations and activities taking place throughout the galleries.
Where: The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NF
When: Saturday 7 November 2026, from 10.30am to 5pm.
Website: www.rmg.co.uk
Sit down to a Diwali dinner with Sabrina Gidda
Chef and author Sabrina Gidda is taking over the kitchen at The Hero in Maida Vale for a one-night Diwali dinner. Her five-course menu draws on a range of culinary influences, with dishes including Chilli Cheese Pav, Black Chickpea Hummus, Hariyali Bream and Coconut Masala Bisque. Barbecued Guinea Fowl and Confit Leg Biryani follow, before a dessert of Cardamom, Saffron and Pistachio Tres Leches rounds off the meal.
Where: The Hero, 55 Shirland Road, Maida Vale, W9 2JD.
When: Sunday 8 November 2026, from 6pm to 10pm.
Website: theherow9.com
Cook with Riya Patel at Mission Kitchen
Riya Patel, founder of paneer brand All The Aunties, joins cook club for a hands-on Diwali gathering at Mission Kitchen. A cardamom-spiced Negroni sets the tone before guests prepare a vegetarian feast of paneer butter masala, rice, naan and kachumber salad. Vinca wine, Botivo spritzes and a spread of mithai accompany the evening. Guests can arrange a complimentary place for an aunty, mother or grandmother, subject to availability. Tickets are currently sold out, with a waiting list available.
Where: Mission Kitchen, The Food Exchange, New Covent Garden Market, SW8 5EL
When: Thursday 5 November 2026
Contact: https://luma.com
Mark Romy Gill at The Pem’s First Diwali
Chef, author and broadcaster Romy Gill is celebrating her Westminster restaurant’s first Diwali with a four-course set menu and welcome cocktail. Dishes draw on her favourite flavours, from Aloo Tikki with shallots, chilli, coriander and chickpeas to twice-marinated lamb chops. Dhaba-style Murgh, spiced pumpkin and Moong Dal Halwa also feature, bringing together savoury dishes and a traditional sweet finish. Non-alcoholic welcome drinks are available.
Where: Romy Gill at The Pem, Conrad London St James, Westminster, London, SW1H 0BH
When: 3 to 7 November 2026.
Contact: https://romygillatthepem.com
Gather for a feast with The Cinnamon Collection
Vivek Singh’s Cinnamon Collection is celebrating Diwali with special menus across its London restaurants. At Cinnamon Bazaar in Covent Garden, an eight-course sharing feast features dishes such as tandoori chicken thighs, Bengali-spiced fish cakes and chargrilled partridge with spiced pear chutney. Over in Westminster, The Cinnamon Club begins with mithai and canapés before serving a five-course menu of contemporary Indian cooking. Gather a group and choose the dining room that suits your celebration.
Where: Cinnamon Collection, Various locations across London
When: Monday 19 October to Saturday 14 November 2026
Contact: www.thecinnamoncollection.com
Create a Diwali Candle at Kricket
Kricket Shoreditch is teaming up with Hackney candle studio Ohros for a hands-on workshop led by founder Georgia. Choose from more than 30 fragrances to blend a bespoke soy wax candle, then name and label your creation. Each ticket includes the materials, a 90-minute guided session and a Botivo drink. Elsewhere, Kricket Canary Wharf’s Diwali Mela features screen printing with Natasha Kumar, henna, face painting and carrom, although that event is now sold out.
Where: Kricket, Various locations across London
When: Saturday 7 November 2026.
Contact: www.kricketrestaurants.com
Feast on Jamavar’s Royal Diwali Darbar Menu
Jamavar is marking its tenth anniversary with A Royal Diwali Darbar, a celebratory menu created by executive chef Surender Mohan. Inspired by the feasting traditions of India’s princely courts, the experience begins with the Jamavar Jewel Box, filled with Mirchi Pakora, Masala Kaju, Mathri, papads and chutneys. Dishes such as Dill Malai Jhinga from the tandoor and the restaurant’s Old Delhi Butter Chicken follow, making this a fitting occasion to gather around the Mayfair restaurant’s tables.
Where: Jamavar, 8 Mount Street, Mayfair, London, W1K 3NF
When: 28 October to 8 November 2026.
Contact: https://jamavarrestaurants.com
Try KOKUM’s Diwali Sharing Menu
East Dulwich’s KOKUM is serving a limited-edition Diwali feast built around dishes made for sharing. Crispy Spinach and Kale Chaat and Paneer Tikka Angara lead into the restaurant’s Butter Chicken and Dal Makhani. Mango and Cardamom Shrikhand provides a sweet finale, while Nani’s Nightcap offers another way to round off the meal. The Diwali cocktail combines vanilla ice cream, Baileys and vodka with a homemade masala spice blend.
Where: Kokum, 58-60 East Dulwich Road, East Dulwich, London, SE22 9AX
When: 3 to 8 November 2026.
Contact: https://kokumlondon.com
Save Room for Fatt Pundit’s Cookie Collab
Fatt Pundit and its Covent Garden neighbour Floozie Cookies have joined forces for The Double Date, a dessert created for Diwali. The collaboration pairs a warm date cookie with date and pomegranate molasses soft serve. Fresh dates, soft brown sugar and a splash of black coffee give the cookie its flavour, while the soft serve brings a cool contrast. Find it at Fatt Pundit’s Maiden Lane restaurant until Diwali Sunday.
Where: Fatt Pundit, 6 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, London, WC2 E7NA
When: Available daily until Sunday 8 November 2026
Contact: www.fattpundit.co.uk
Discover Babur’s Diwali Tasting Menu
Babur is celebrating the Festival of Lights with a five-course tasting menu and optional wine pairings. Dishes include Delhi-style Ram Laddu Chaat, Malvani Fish Tikka and Chicken Chettinad, followed by Palak Paneer Kofta and Khoya Gujiya. The celebrations culminate in a candlelit Diwali party on Sunday 8 November, when live performances accompany dinner. It’s a chance to explore the Forest Hill restaurant’s regional Indian cooking while marking the occasion with friends and family.
Where: Babur, 119 Brockley Rise, London, SE23 1JP
When: 6 to 8 November 2026.
Contact: https://www.babur.info