Diwali Date 2025 UK is 20 October. See the 5-day schedule, city-by-city puja timings, temple Annakut links, fireworks rules, maps, and family itineraries.

Diwali Date 2025 UK – October 20 Festival Schedule & Puja Timings
Planning ahead for the Festival of Lights? Diwali Date 2025 UK – October 20 Festival Schedule & Puja Timings is your definitive, calendar‑ready guide. You’ll get the confirmed UK date, the full 5‑day festival sequence, and the exact method to time Lakshmi Puja in your city—plus city‑by‑city timing tools (sunset + panchang links), where to celebrate (from London’s Trafalgar Square to Leicester’s Golden Mile and Birmingham’s Soho Road), temple Annakut hubs, fireworks law, weather prep, and family itineraries. Whether you’re in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, or Edinburgh, this guide helps you celebrate with calm and clarity.
Table of Contents
- Quick Answer: UK Diwali 2025 Date, 5-Day Calendar, and Timing Toolkit
- Why the Date Shifts and How BST Affects Puja Timings
- City-by-City Puja Windows (Approximate) and Verification Links
- Where to Celebrate: Biggest UK Diwali Events and Maps
- Temples and Annakut (Day After Diwali): Addresses + Official Links
- Getting There: Trains, Trams, Buses, Parking, and Crowd Hacks
- Fireworks in the UK: What’s Legal, What’s Not
- Weather & What to Wear in Late October
- Eco-Friendly and Sensory-Friendly Diwali
- Family Itineraries (London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester)
- Checklist: Home Lakshmi Puja (What You Need + When to Start)
- Key Statistics (With Sources)
- Featured Snippet: Fast Answers People Search For
- FAQs
- Conclusion & Call to Action
Quick Answer: UK Diwali 2025 Date, 5-Day Calendar, and Timing Toolkit
- UK Diwali date (2025): Monday, 20 October 2025
5-day festival calendar (UK)
- Dhanteras: Saturday, 18 Oct
- Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali): Sunday, 19 Oct
- Diwali / Lakshmi Puja: Monday, 20 Oct
- Govardhan Puja / Annakut: Tuesday, 21 Oct
- Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, 22 Oct
Timing toolkit (works in every city)
- City sunset (choose your city): https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/
How to time Lakshmi Puja (simple 3‑step method)
- Note your city’s sunset for 20 Oct on timeanddate.
- Confirm Lakshmi Puja muhurat (Pradosh Kaal while Diwali tithi is active) on your city’s panchang page.
- Start within a calm 60–90 minute window after sunset; if you have kids or elders, begin toward the earlier edge.
Why the Date Shifts and How BST Affects Puja Timings
- Diwali is set by the Hindu lunar calendar—specifically the new moon (Amavasya) in Kartik—so the Gregorian date changes each year.
- UK timing is sensitive to British Summer Time (BST). In 2025, BST is still in effect on 20 October (clocks change the last Sunday of October), so sunset occurs later than in standard time.
- That means most UK cities will observe Lakshmi Puja in early evening windows—verify your city’s sunset and tithi to fine‑tune your start.
City-by-City Puja Windows (Approximate) and Verification Links
Use the windows below as planning guides; verify exact city muhurats and your local sunset 24–48 hours ahead.
- London (BST): approx 6:00–8:15 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london?month=10&year=2025 - Leicester (BST): approx 5:55–7:45 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/leicester?month=10&year=2025 - Birmingham (BST): approx 6:00–8:00 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/birmingham?month=10&year=2025 - Manchester (BST): approx 5:50–7:45 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/manchester?month=10&year=2025 - Glasgow (BST): approx 5:45–7:30 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/glasgow?month=10&year=2025 - Edinburgh (BST): approx 5:45–7:30 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/edinburgh?month=10&year=2025 - Cardiff (BST): approx 6:05–7:50 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/cardiff?month=10&year=2025 - Belfast (BST): approx 5:55–7:45 PM
Sunset: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/belfast?month=10&year=2025
Tip: If your family can only gather later at night, prioritise a start that still overlaps the recommended muhurat. If you miss it due to work/travel, complete puja respectfully at the earliest feasible time you can do it mindfully.
Where to Celebrate: Biggest UK Diwali Events and Maps
London
- Trafalgar Square Diwali (Mayor of London/Diwali in London)
Official: https://www.diwaliinlondon.com
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Trafalgar+Square,+London+WC2N+5DN
Why go: UK’s flagship open‑air showcase with dance, music, food, and family zones.
Leicester
- Golden Mile (Belgrave Road) — Lights Switch‑On & Diwali Day Celebrations
Official: https://www.visitleicester.info/diwali
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Belgrave+Road,+Leicester+LE4
Why go: One of Europe’s largest Diwali festivals with a legendary switch‑on.
Birmingham
- Soho Road (Handsworth) + City Centre programmes
Soho Road BID: https://www.sohoroadbid.org
City events: https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/events
Map (Victoria Square): https://maps.google.com/?q=Victoria+Square,+Birmingham+B1+1BD
Why go: Street‑festival energy in Handsworth and big‑stage city showcases.
Manchester
- Curry Mile (Rusholme) lights + city centre pop‑ups (Exchange Square/Cathedral Gardens)
Visit Manchester: https://www.visitmanchester.com/whats-on
Map (Curry Mile): https://maps.google.com/?q=Wilmslow+Road+Curry+Mile+Rusholme+Manchester
Map (Exchange Square): https://maps.google.com/?q=Exchange+Square+Manchester
Why go: Late‑evening glow on Curry Mile; city centre family days.
Other hubs to check
- London Wembley/Neasden & Southall Broadway
- Glasgow George Square / community halls
- Edinburgh Princes Street Gardens (Edinburgh Diwali)
- Cardiff city centre cultural listings
- Belfast City Hall grounds & community venues
Temples and Annakut (Day After Diwali): Addresses + Official Links
Plan Annakut darshan on Tuesday, 21 Oct. Arrive early or choose a later slot to avoid peak crowds.
London & around
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple)
Address: Pramukh Swami Rd, London NW10 8HW
Official: https://www.mandir.org
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Pramukh+Swami+Road,+London+NW10+8HW - Sanatan Hindu Temple (Wembley)
Address: Ealing Road, Wembley HA0 4TA
Official: https://www.sanatan-temple.org
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Sanatan+Hindu+Temple+Wembley - ISKCON Soho Street (Central London)
Address: 10 Soho St, London W1D 3DL
Official: https://iskcon.london
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=10+Soho+St,+London+W1D+3DL
Midlands & North
- Shree Geeta Bhavan (Birmingham)
Address: 107–117 Heathfield Rd, Handsworth, Birmingham B19 1HL
Official: https://www.geetabhavan.org.uk
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=107-117+Heathfield+Rd,+Birmingham+B19+1HL - Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple (Tividale, near Birmingham)
Address: Dudley Rd E, Tividale, Oldbury B69 3DU
Official: https://www.venkateswara.org.uk
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Dudley+Rd+E,+Tividale,+B69+3DU - ISKCON Leicester
Address: 31 Granby St, Leicester LE1 6EJ
Official: https://iskconleicester.org
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=31+Granby+St,+Leicester+LE1+6EJ - Hindu Temple (Oldham)
Official: https://www.hindutempleoldham.org.uk
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Hindu+Temple+Oldham - Bolton Hindu Temple
Official: https://www.boltonhindutemple.org.uk
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Bolton+Hindu+Temple
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
- Scotland (Glasgow Hindu Mandir)
Official: https://www.glasgowhindusociety.org
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=129+Muirhead+St,+Glasgow+G1+5ES - Edinburgh Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre
Official: https://www.edinburghhindumandir.org.uk
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=St+Andrew+Pl,+Edinburgh+EH6+7EA - Cardiff Sanatan Dharma Mandal
Community info via city listings
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=Mardy+St,+Cardiff+CF11+6QW - Belfast Hindu Temple
Official: https://www.belfasthindutemple.org
Map: https://maps.google.com/?q=7-11+Cliftonpark+Ave,+Belfast+BT14+6DX
Always check each temple’s website 7–14 days before Diwali for aarti/Annakut times, parking, and any RSVP guidance.
Getting There: Trains, Trams, Buses, Parking, and Crowd Hacks
Transit planners
- Transport for London (TfL): https://tfl.gov.uk
- National Rail (UK‑wide): https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
- West Midlands (TfWM): https://www.tfwm.org.uk
- Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM): https://tfgm.com
- ScotRail: https://www.scotrail.co.uk
- Transport for Wales: https://www.transportfor.wales
Parking and arrivals
- City centres fill fast on festival weekends—arrive 45–60 minutes before peak stage times.
- Park on the periphery and walk 8–12 minutes to avoid congestion.
- Photograph your bay and pin your location; set a family meeting point away from stages.
Crowd hacks
- Weeknights deliver calm lights + easy dining.
- For weekend events, go in the first 60–90 minutes after opening for short food queues.
- Screenshot event flyers—mobile data slows at peak.
Related internal guides
- Manchester Diwali 2025 – Curry Mile & Exchange Square Festival Events Guide
- Diwali Events Near Me UK 2025: City Guide & Festival Dates
- Southall Diwali 2025 – Little India Broadway Lights & Festival Celebrations Guide
- When is Diwali 2025 in UK – Complete Festival Calendar, Aarti & City Events
- Birmingham Diwali Festival 2025: Soho Road Celebrations & Events
Fireworks in the UK: What’s Legal, What’s Not
- UK law: fireworks must not be set off between 11 pm and 7 am; on Diwali, the curfew extends to 1 am.
GOV.UK info: https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law
Practical takeaways
- Buy only from licensed sellers; follow safety distances; respect neighbours and pets.
- High‑street areas and crowded squares are not suitable for fireworks—choose LED lamps and temple aarti lights instead.
Weather & What to Wear in Late October
Expect cool, sometimes damp evenings across the UK—layer up.
Climate references
- London: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/london/climate
- Birmingham: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/birmingham/climate
- Manchester: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/manchester/climate
- Glasgow: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/glasgow/climate
- Cardiff: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/cardiff/climate
- Belfast: https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/uk/belfast/climate
What to wear/pack
- Layered festive wear + windproof/water‑resistant shell
- Comfortable closed‑toe shoes
- Compact umbrella, portable charger, small tote, and a warm shawl for elders
Eco-Friendly and Sensory-Friendly Diwali
- Eco: Clay diyas or LEDs; biodegradable rangoli; reusable thalis/cups; carry a tote for recycling; leave no trace.
- Sensory: Pick edge spots away from speakers; schedule short breaks; use noise‑reducing headphones for children; choose first or last hour to avoid peak density.
Family Itineraries (London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester)
London: Trafalgar Square + Home Puja
- 14:30: Trafalgar Square programme (music/dance + kids’ crafts)
- 17:30: Head home; prep thali
- 18:30–20:00: Lakshmi Puja after sunset (verify timing)
- 20:30: Neighbourhood lights walk or temple darshan
Leicester: Golden Mile Lights + Annakut Next Day
- 16:00: Belgrave Road stroll; mithai + décor shops
- 18:00–19:30: Home puja window (verify locally)
- Next day AM: Annakut darshan; arrive early for smooth parking
Birmingham: Soho Road + City Centre
- 15:00: Photo walk + shopping on Soho Road
- 17:30: Early dinner
- 19:00–20:30: Home puja after sunset
- 21:00: Short city centre lights stroll (if a programme runs)
Manchester: Curry Mile + City Centre
- 15:30: Mithai/decor on Curry Mile; chaat stop
- 17:00: Golden‑hour photos
- 18:30–20:00: Home Lakshmi Puja
- 20:45: Exchange Square lights walk or dessert run
Checklist: Home Lakshmi Puja (What You Need + When to Start)
Start times
- Begin within your city’s muhurat window after sunset; plan 60–90 minutes for a calm, complete puja.
Essentials
- Lakshmi–Ganesha images/murtis
- Diya + ghee/oil; matches/lighter; incense
- Kumkum, haldi, akshat (rice), bell
- Fresh flowers, fruit, sweets (laddoo/barfi), dry fruits
- Aarti plate; water in a small lota; new diary/ledger if you keep accounts
Flow (simple)
- Clean altar and light diyas/incense.
- Offer flowers, sweets, and fruit.
- Recite a short Lakshmi mantra or Lakshmi Ashtakam.
- Aarti (clockwise), family blessings, and prasad.
- Optional: write a gratitude note for the year ahead.
Key Statistics (With Sources)
- Hindus in England & Wales: 1,032,775 (2021 Census); Indian ethnicity ~3.1% of the population.
ONS 2021 Census: https://www.ons.gov.uk - “Diwali” search interest spikes every Oct–Nov across UK cities.
Google Trends (UK): https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?geo=GB&q=Diwali - Fireworks: UK curfew extends to 1 am on Diwali (general curfew is 11 pm).
GOV.UK fireworks: https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law - Sunset timing is early evening across UK cities in late October—critical for home puja planning.
timeanddate (choose city): https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/
Featured Snippet: Fast Answers People Search For
- What is the Diwali date in the UK in 2025?
Monday, 20 October 2025. - What are the five days of Diwali 2025?
Dhanteras (18 Oct), Chhoti Diwali (19 Oct), Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (20 Oct), Govardhan/Annakut (21 Oct), Bhai Dooj (22 Oct). - What time should I do Lakshmi Puja?
After local sunset during Pradosh Kaal while Diwali tithi is active. Verify with timeanddate + your city panchang. - Where are the biggest events?
London (Trafalgar Square), Leicester (Golden Mile), Birmingham (Soho Road + city centre), and Manchester (Curry Mile + city pop‑ups). - Are fireworks allowed on Diwali?
Follow UK law—curfew is extended to 1 am on Diwali. Use only licensed fireworks and consider LED lamps and temple aarti lights instead.
FAQ section
What date is Diwali 2025 in the UK?
Monday, 20 October 2025.
What are the five days of Diwali in 2025?
Dhanteras: 18 Oct; Chhoti Diwali: 19 Oct; Diwali/Lakshmi Puja: 20 Oct; Govardhan/Annakut: 21 Oct; Bhai Dooj: 22 Oct.
How do I find my exact puja time?
Use your city’s sunset on timeanddate and confirm the muhurat on your city’s panchang page. Be ready 10–15 minutes before the moment.
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UK?
No. Many events happen on the surrounding weekends so families can attend.
Where can I see the most iconic Diwali lights?
Leicester’s Golden Mile (lights switch‑on), London Trafalgar Square, Birmingham Soho Road, and Manchester Curry Mile.
What should I bring for outdoor events?
Warm layers, compact umbrella, water, snacks, portable charger, and a small tote. For kids: glow wristbands and ear protection.
Can I burst fireworks on the street?
Follow UK law and local guidance—crowded high streets are not appropriate. Many families opt for LEDs and temple aarti lamps instead.
What is Annakut and when is it?
Annakut (Govardhan Puja) is the day after Diwali when temples arrange offerings (bhog) in grand displays—Tuesday, 21 Oct 2025.
Are city centre Diwali programmes free?
Most outdoor events are free; some museum family days are free/low‑cost; indoor concerts and galas are ticketed—check the official pages.
How early should I arrive for big events?
Aim for the first 60–90 minutes after opening or 45–60 minutes before the headline set for the best balance of atmosphere and queues.
Conclusion & Call to Action
Diwali Date 2025 UK – October 20 Festival Schedule & Puja Timings brings your planning into focus: the confirmed date, a clear 5‑day calendar, and a city‑proof timing method for Lakshmi Puja—plus the UK’s biggest celebration hubs, temple Annakut links, fireworks rules, travel strategies, weather prep, and family itineraries. Set a calm home puja window on Monday night and choose one (or two) festive outings on the weekends—you’ll enjoy the best of tradition and community without the stress.
Bookmark this guide, share it with your family, and set reminders to check your city’s timeanddate and panchang pages a few days before Diwali. Want a personalised plan—best arrival time, temple route, and a quiet photo loop for your city? Comment with your city, group size, and preferred day, and we’ll map it out. Shubh Deepavali!