When is Diwali 2025 in UK? Monday 20 Oct. See the complete festival calendar (Dhanteras–Bhai Dooj), muhurat tips, Trafalgar Square, temple aarti, sweets, travel, and FAQs.

When is Diwali 2025 in UK – Complete Festival Calendar

Diwali 2025 in the UK falls on Monday, 20 October 2025. That’s the short answer to “When is Diwali 2025 in UK.” But the Festival of Lights is far more than one evening. It’s an entire week (and, for many, a whole season) of traditions—Dhanteras shopping, Chhoti Diwali prep, Lakshmi Puja and aarti on Diwali night, Annakut (Govardhan Puja) the next day, and Bhai Dooj to wrap up the cycle. For Sikh and Jain communities, it also coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas and Mahavira Nirvan Diwas respectively.

This complete festival calendar is built for the UK’s 1.9 million–strong Indian diaspora (and our London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Scotland, and Wales neighbours who join in). You’ll get exact 2025 date expectations, city-by-city event pointers, temple aarti guidance, sweets and shopping corridors, TfL and nationwide travel tips, fireworks law (what is and isn’t allowed), and family-friendly itineraries. We’ll also show you how to verify muhurat (auspicious times) for your local mandir, because UK temple schedules vary slightly by sampradaya and location.

• Table of Contents
  • UK Diwali 2025 at a glance (5‑day calendar)
  • Muhurat basics: how to check your UK city’s aarti time
  • UK Indian festival calendar 2025 (month‑by‑month highlights)
  • City mini‑guides: London, Leicester, Birmingham & Midlands, Manchester & North, Scotland, Wales
  • Temple aarti and Annakut: who to follow and how to plan
  • Sweets and shopping corridors: where to pre‑order mithai
  • Travel & transport: TfL, National Rail, and regional networks
  • Fireworks in the UK: the law, timings, and safe alternatives
  • Home Lakshmi Puja in 20–30 minutes (flat‑friendly)
  • Family itineraries (central + regional options)
  • Budget planner (realistic UK scenarios)
  • Accessibility and sensory‑friendly planning
  • Photography tips for aarti, rangoli, and night scenes
  • For sponsors and community organisers
  • Key statistics and authoritative sources
  • Featured snippet: UK Diwali 2025 in 60 seconds
  • Useful external resources
  • FAQ: When is Diwali 2025 in UK – Complete Festival Calendar

UK Diwali 2025 at a glance (5‑day calendar)

• Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi): Saturday, 18 October 2025
  Jewellery and utensil purchases, deep-cleaning, diyas and décor shopping.
• Naraka Chaturdashi / Chhoti Diwali: Sunday, 19 October 2025
  Final prep, rangoli, warm-up lights, smaller gatherings.
• Lakshmi Puja / Diwali (Main): Monday, 20 October 2025
  Evening aarti and Lakshmi–Ganesha puja; family visits and sweets.
  Sikh community: Bandi Chhor Divas kirtan and langar.
  Jain community: Mahavira Nirvan Diwas prayers.
• Govardhan Puja / Annakut: Tuesday, 21 October 2025
  Elaborate vegetarian offerings (Annakut), special darshan routes.
• Bhai Dooj: Wednesday, 22 October 2025
  Sibling blessings, sweets and gifts.

Note: UK public festivals (e.g., Trafalgar Square, Leicester’s Golden Mile events) may run on the nearest weekend(s) for maximum attendance. Always confirm local timings with organisers a week prior.

Muhurat basics: how to check your UK city’s aarti time

Auspicious windows (Pradosh Kaal/Nishita Kaal) differ by location and tradition. Your local mandir will post the final aarti schedule 1–2 weeks ahead. To cross‑check:

1. Set your city (e.g., London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow) on a reliable panchang.
2. Confirm Lakshmi Puja muhurat for Monday, 20 October 2025.
3. Match it to your mandir’s announced aarti slot (they may slightly adjust for crowd management).
4. Arrive 30–45 minutes early with family, especially elders and young children.

• Muhurat reference: DrikPanchang

UK Indian festival calendar 2025 (month‑by‑month highlights)

Below is a UK‑focused planning calendar for major Hindu/Sikh/Jain festivals. Exact tithi observance can vary; treat these as expected 2025 dates and verify locally.

• January
  • Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri (mid‑Jan; Sankranti expected Tue 14 Jan)
  • Republic Day India events (around Fri 26 Jan)
• February
  • Vasant Panchami (early Feb)
  • Maha Shivratri (Wed 26 Feb 2025 – verify locally)
• March
  • Holika Dahan/Holi (expected Thu 13 Mar/Fri 14 Mar – confirm locally)
  • Ram Navami (early April window; some almanacs place around first week of Apr)
• April
  • Ram Navami (early April, expected ~6–7 Apr)
  • Hanuman Jayanti (mid‑April, varies)
• May–June
  • Buddha Purnima (May)
  • Rath Yatra community days in June/July (organiser‑specific)
• August
  • Raksha Bandhan (expected Sat 9 Aug – verify)
  • Krishna Janmashtami (mid‑Aug; late‑night aarti; confirm locally)
  • Ganesh Chaturthi (Wed 27 Aug)
• September
  • Pitru Paksha (fortnight – tithi based)
  • Navratri begins (Mon 22 Sep – Tue 30 Sep window used by many UK mandirs)
• October
  • Dussehra/Vijayadashami (Wed 1 Oct)
  • Karwa Chauth (early–mid Oct; verify locally)
  • Dhanteras (Sat 18 Oct)
  • Chhoti Diwali (Sun 19 Oct)
  • Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (Mon 20 Oct) – Sikh Bandi Chhor Divas; Jain Mahavira Nirvan Diwas
  • Govardhan Puja/Annakut (Tue 21 Oct)
  • Bhai Dooj (Wed 22 Oct)
  • Chhath Puja (late Oct/early Nov – verify locally)
• November
  • Tulsi Vivah (Nov – tithi based)
  • Guru Nanak Gurpurab (Nov; date per Nanakshahi/Panchang—confirm)

Why “verify”? UK temples reflect different traditions (Vaishnava, Shaiva, Shakta, Swaminarayan, ISKCON, etc.), and schedules may be adjusted for crowd flow and local logistics.

City mini‑guides: London, Leicester, Birmingham & Midlands, Manchester & North, Scotland, Wales

London

• Public festival
  • Diwali in Trafalgar Square (Mayor of London) with rangoli, stage shows, stalls; free entry and family areas. Date typically a Sunday close to Diwali.
  • Track listing: London.gov Events, Visit London
• Temples & aarti
  • BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden): Diwali aarti, Chopda Pujan, Annakut next day. mandir.org
  • Bhaktivedanta Manor (Watford): Lakshmi Puja, kirtans, and elaborate Annakut; well‑managed darshan. krishnatemple.com
  • ISKCON London (Soho Street): evening aarti and kirtans; central and transit‑friendly. iskcon-london.org
  • Shree Sanatan Hindu Mandir (Wembley): festival aarti and community programmes. sanatan-temple.org
• Corridors for sweets & outfits
  • Southall Broadway, Wembley/Ealing Road, Harrow centres, Tooting, East Ham, Ilford Lane.
• Transport
  • TfL planner & accessibility: tfl.gov.uk
  • Tip: After 21:30, frequencies drop—screenshot last trains and consider buses or rideshare for final legs.

Leicester

• Famous for
  • One of Europe’s biggest Diwali light displays along the Golden Mile (Belgrave Road). Switch‑on, street festival, and fireworks (where licensed) are typically city‑managed.
  • Track listings: Visit Leicester
• Temples
  • Shree Sanatan Mandir, ISKCON Leicester, and others host aarti and Annakut; check local pages a week before.
• Travel
  • Arrive early for switch‑on and main Diwali evening; use Park & Ride or plan walk‑ins from National Rail.

Birmingham & Midlands (Wolverhampton, Coventry, Nottingham)

• Events
  • City‑backed indoor/outdoor Diwali shows; temple networks across the Midlands.
  • Birmingham: Visit Birmingham
• Temples
  • Shree Geeta Bhawan (Birmingham), ISKCON Bhaktivedanta Manor’s Midlands outreach, and numerous local mandirs.
• Travel
  • West Midlands Railway/Tram; late services vary—plan your last train and a fallback bus.

Manchester & North (Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, Newcastle)

• Events
  • Community and university‑hosted Diwali cultural nights; city squares sometimes add light installations.
  • Follow city pages and Eventbrite for dates.
• Temples
  • ISKCON centres, local mandirs in Manchester/Leeds/Bradford—confirm aarti and Annakut timings week‑of.
• Travel
  • Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and Northern services; late‑night options drop—pair with rideshare.

Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh)

• Events
  • City‑supported Diwali cultural programmes; temple aarti in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
  • Glasgow Hindu Mandir, Edinburgh Hindu Mandir & Cultural Centre—check aarti/Annakut times.
• Travel
  • ScotRail; Trams (Edinburgh); plan a rideshare last‑mile after 21:30–22:30.

Wales (Cardiff, Newport, Swansea)

• Events
  • Civic halls, university venues, and mandirs host Diwali week programmes; watch council pages.
  • Transport for Wales for late services, plus local buses.

Across the UK: Always recheck event pages the morning of—weather and security can shift gate times by 10–20 minutes.

Temple aarti and Annakut: who to follow and how to plan

• Follow pages
  • BAPS Neasden: mandir.org
  • Bhaktivedanta Manor: krishnatemple.com
  • ISKCON London: iskcon-london.org
  • Leicester/Birmingham/Manchester local mandirs and ISKCON centres (search your city + “Hindu temple” on Maps)
• Aarti strategy
  • Arrive 30–45 min early on Diwali night; ask volunteers for aisle seating for kids/elders.
  • For Annakut, choose early morning or late evening for calmer darshan.
• Photography
  • Follow “no photography” signs; no flash during aarti; never cross cordons.

Sweets and shopping corridors: where to pre‑order mithai

Pre‑order 3–5 days in advance and pick up on Diwali afternoon or after aarti.

• London
  • Southall Broadway; Ealing Road (Wembley); Harrow centres; Tooting; East Ham; Ilford Lane.
• Leicester
  • Belgrave Road/Golden Mile corridors.
• Birmingham & Midlands
  • Soho Road/Handsworth (Birmingham), Wolverhampton, Coventry hubs.
• Manchester & North
  • Curry Mile (Rusholme) and suburban Indian corridors.

Quick map searches

• Indian sweets Southall: https://maps.google.com/?q=Indian%20sweets%20Southall
• Indian sweets Wembley: https://maps.google.com/?q=Indian%20sweets%20Wembley
• Indian sweets Leicester: https://maps.google.com/?q=Indian%20sweets%20Leicester
• Indian sweets Birmingham: https://maps.google.com/?q=Indian%20sweets%20Birmingham

Allergen note

• Ask for nut/dairy/gluten labels—essential for school/work boxes and mixed groups.

Travel & transport: TfL, National Rail, and regional networks

• London (TfL): tfl.gov.uk – Tube, Elizabeth line, Overground, buses; check last services.
• National Rail (nationwide): nationalrail.co.uk
• Midlands: West Midlands Railway/Tram; city websites for special services.
• Manchester: TfGM (Metrolink/bus)
• Scotland: ScotRail
• Wales: Transport for Wales

Tips

• After 21:30–22:30, many lines reduce frequency—screenshot your last train.
• Side‑street rideshare pickups are faster than main exits.
• If driving, use off‑street car parks and note closing times; obey resident parking zones.

Fireworks in the UK: the law, timings, and safe alternatives

• It’s illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on a few dates (Diwali included), when the cut‑off is 1am.
• You must be 18 or over to buy most fireworks.
• Public displays in central areas require licences and are professionally run; most city Diwali events use light shows, lasers, or projection instead of fireworks.

Official guidance: Gov.uk – Fireworks: the law

Home guidance

• Warn neighbours; protect pets; keep water/sand buckets; wear eye protection; follow safety distances; never relight duds.
• Consider LED/flameless diya set‑ups and projection lights as neighbour‑friendly alternatives in flats/terraces.

Home Lakshmi Puja in 20–30 minutes (flat‑friendly)

What you need

• Lakshmi & Ganesha images/murtis; diya (ghee/oil) or LED; haldi, kumkum, rice (akshata); flowers/leaves; sweets/fruit; water cup; optional coins/ledger.

Steps

1. Shuddhi & sankalpa (2 min): Tidy, light diya, set intention (prosperity, wisdom, harmony).
2. Ganesh invocation (3 min): “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah” ×11; offer flowers/rice.
3. Lakshmi Puja (8–10 min): Offer haldi‑kumkum, rice, flowers; chant “Shreem” or short Lakshmi hymn.
4. Aarti (3–5 min): Perform aarti to Lakshmi–Ganesha; keep flames away from curtains; ventilate incense.
5. Naivedyam & prasad (2–3 min): Offer sweets/fruit; share prasad; call elders for blessings.

Safety

• Place diyas on metal/ceramic trays, never unattended; use flameless candles with kids/pets.

Family itineraries (central + regional options)

London: Trafalgar Square + temple aarti

• 14:30 — Arrive at the Square; rangoli photos, browse stalls.
• 16:30 — Tea/snack; pick viewing spot.
• 17:00–19:30 — Prime sets.
• 20:00 — Tube to Soho Street (central) or plan Neasden aarti the following evening.

Leicester: Golden Mile lights + aarti

• 16:30 — Arrive for light switch‑on day (or Diwali night).
• 18:30 — Temple aarti (ISKCON/Sanatan); walk the Mile; mithai pickup.
• 21:00 — National Rail/drive back early to avoid queues.

Birmingham & Midlands: temple + community show

• 17:00 — Temple aarti (Geeta Bhawan/local mandir).
• 19:00 — Civic hall Diwali programme; aisle seating for elders.
• 21:30 — Tram/Rail or rideshare home.

Manchester & North: university hall + darshan

• 17:30 — Diwali cultural night at a uni/civic hall.
• 20:30 — Local temple darshan; dessert in a nearby corridor.

Scotland: Glasgow or Edinburgh

• 16:00 — Family activity at museum/civic venue (if listed).
• 18:30 — Temple aarti; mithai pickup.
• 20:30 — Tram/train home; pack warm layers.

Student plan (any city)

• Trafalgar Square/Golden Mile + temple aarti.
• Tube/rail + short walk; split mithai boxes with friends; bring a portable charger.

Budget planner (realistic UK scenarios)

Free to low‑cost (£0–£15)

• Public festival + temple aarti; water and one snack; contactless fares.

Mid‑range (£20–£60 per person)

• Street food + dessert + travel + small mithai box.

Premium (£70–£150+ per person)

• Pre‑show dinner, larger sweets/gifts, ride‑hailing both ways, tickets for a theatre/concert add‑on.

Case study: Couple under £110

• Travel: £10–£16
• Food & dessert: £30–£45
• Mithai: £15–£25
• Contingency/coffee: £10–£15
  Total: ~£65–£101

Family of four under £180

• Travel: £18–£30
• Food & drinks: £80–£100
• Sweets: £25–£40
  Total: ~£123–£170

Money‑savvy tips

• Eat early to beat queues and surge pricing.
• Consolidate errands (festival + temple + sweets on one corridor).

Accessibility and sensory‑friendly planning

• Step‑free journeys: Use TfL’s accessibility planner; check lifts/ramps status on the day.
• Viewing areas: Ask stewards about accessible zones at Trafalgar Square and city stages.
• Elders/infants: Choose earlier slots; aisle/edge seating; schedule quiet breaks.
• Sensory care: Drums and amplified music are loud—bring ear protection for kids/sensory‑sensitive guests.
• Family rendezvous: Screenshot maps and agree a meetup point in case of separation.

Photography tips for aarti, rangoli, and night scenes

Smartphone

• Flash off; tap to focus on diya/performer; slide exposure slightly down; use 1× (wide) for clarity.
• Portrait mode near string lights for bokeh; 10–15s clips to avoid blur.

Camera (manual)

• Stage: 1/125–1/250 sec, f/2.8–f/4, ISO 800–1600.
• Aarti: meter for the flame; underexpose 1/3 stop; no flash.
• Rangoli: top‑down with even light; avoid harsh shadows.

Etiquette

• Ask before close‑ups; keep aisles clear; obey “no photography” signs.

For sponsors and community organisers

• Why sponsor
  • High dwell‑time, multi‑generational audiences, strong community trust.
• Assets
  • Booths, stage backdrops, MC mentions, printed programmes, QR‑based offers, sustainability activations.
• Timeline
  1. 8–10 weeks out: Shortlist events/boroughs; define KPIs.
  2. 6–8 weeks out: Request media kits/rates; secure slots.
  3. 4–6 weeks out: Finalise creative (A3/A2 posters, reels, QR landing pages).
  4. 2–3 weeks out: Prep giveaways; brief staff on cultural etiquette.
  5. Event week: Track scans, footfall, sign‑ups; schedule post‑event follow‑up.

KPIs: footfall, QR scans, coupon redemptions, newsletter sign‑ups, conversions.

Key statistics and authoritative sources

• Indian ethnic group in England & Wales reached about 1.86 million in the 2021 Census (largest minority group by ethnicity), underpinning major Diwali programmes in UK cities.
  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): ons.gov.uk
• London and Leicester host some of Europe’s biggest Diwali events, supported by city agencies and community partners.
  • Mayor of London events: london.gov.uk/events
  • Visit London: visitlondon.com
  • Visit Leicester: visitleicester.info
• UK fireworks law sets time limits and purchase rules; public displays require licensing.
  • Gov.uk – Fireworks: gov.uk/fireworks-the-law
• TfL accessibility tools support step‑free travel planning for families and elders.
  • TfL Accessibility: tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility

Featured snippet: UK Diwali 2025 in 60 seconds

1. Diwali date: Monday, 20 October 2025 (Dhanteras 18 Oct; Chhoti 19 Oct; Annakut 21 Oct; Bhai Dooj 22 Oct).
2. Check muhurat on DrikPanchang and confirm your mandir’s aarti a week before.
3. Pick one temple for aarti and one public festival (Trafalgar Square/Golden Mile).
4. Pre‑order mithai 3–5 days ahead; plan pickup after aarti.
5. Map TfL/National Rail routes; screenshot last trains and step‑free paths.
6. Expect light shows (not fireworks) at squares; follow UK fireworks law.
7. Dress warm, carry a bottle/power bank, and pack ear protection for kids.

Useful external resources

• Mayor of London – events: https://www.london.gov.uk/events
• Visit London – what’s on: https://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/whats-on
• Visit Leicester – Diwali: https://www.visitleicester.info/whats-on/festivals/diwali
• TfL journey planner & accessibility: https://tfl.gov.uk
• National Rail: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk
• Gov.uk – Fireworks law: https://www.gov.uk/fireworks-the-law

Related internal guides

• Best Diwali Events in London 2025 – Trafalgar Square & More
• Diwali 2025 Celebrations in London – Events, Dates & Traditions
• BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir Toronto Diwali 2025: Oct 20
• Diwali 2025 UAE: Complete Guide for Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah
• Best Diwali Fireworks UAE 2025: Burj Khalifa, Global Village & Al Seef Shows

FAQ: When is Diwali 2025 in UK – Complete Festival Calendar

Conclusion

Now you know when Diwali 2025 is in the UK—Monday, 20 October—and how the full five‑day sequence flows (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj). With this complete festival calendar, you can pick your temple aarti, lock a public festival (Trafalgar Square or Leicester’s Golden Mile), pre‑order mithai, plan step‑free travel, and celebrate in a way that fits your family. Verify muhurat with your mandir, arrive a little early on peak nights, keep it sustainable with LEDs and reusable décor, and share the light with neighbours. Shubh Deepavali!

Want printable checklists, temple aarti alerts, and city festival updates as they drop? Subscribe to our newsletter and bookmark this guide—then tell us in the comments: where will you light your first diya this year—at Neasden, on the Golden Mile, or at home with family?