Home > Diwali Festival
Sunday 9 October – Monday 24 October
Belgrave Road, Golden Mile, Cossington Street Recreation, city centre and other locations
Leicester‘s celebration of Diwali is one of the biggest outside of India with everything from dance, fireworks, food and fashion making it the perfect place to enjoy Diwali. The festival kicks off with the city’s famous lights switch-on on Sunday 9 October and culminates with a glorious fireworks display and entertainment on Diwali Day Monday 24 October. There is also a fantastic selection of events taking place around the city during the fortnight including a Diwali Mela Bazaar, Rangoli exhibition and waterside celebrations.
The festivities begin with the illumination of the Diwali lights along Belgrave Road, on Leicester’s ‘Golden Mile’, on Sunday 9 October. Up to 40,000 people watch the lights switch on, which follows a vibrant programme of music and dance on the Belgrave Road stage, presented by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council and Leicester City Council.
The stage programme for Diwali lights switch-on runs from 5.30pm - 8pm on Belgrave Road with the lights turned on at 7.30pm followed by the fireworks, which this year can be viewed from Belgrave Road. The Diwali Village on Cossington Street Recreation Ground will feature a full stage programme showcasing local talent, children’s fun-fair rides and stalls including food and concessions, from 3pm - 9pm.
The Golden Mile will be bathed in light throughout the festive period until Diwali Day, when the celebrations continue with events on Cossington Street Recreation Ground. On Diwali Day, Monday 24 October, the Diwali Village will again be on Cossington Street Recreation ground from 3pm along with a full stage programme of entertainment at 6pm presented by the Leicester Hindu Festival Council. Look out for Dundu, a giant illuminated puppet as they parade through the crowds along with the fireworks, which will begin at approximately 8.10pm.
This year Leicester’s Wheel of Light returns. The big wheel will be located on Belgrave Road from Friday 7 October - Sunday 6 November.
With special thanks to our sponsors University of Leicester
For more information on other Leicester Festivals taking place during Winter 2022, download the Winter What's On Guide, and make sure you're following on social media:
facebook.com/leicesterfestivals
Take a look at this stunning video of the 2022 Light Switch-on for a taste of the celebrations:
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