How Is Diwali Celebrated in the UK? A Guide for Kids
Diwali in the UK is celebrated in homes, temples, community halls, schools and city centres. Families may light diyas, make rangoli, share sweets and meals, wear special clothes, pray, exchange gifts and spend time together.
Diwali is celebrated by millions of people around the world, including many families living in the United Kingdom.
A Diwali celebration in Britain might happen inside a family home, at a Hindu temple, Sikh gurdwara, Jain centre, community hall, school or at a large public event in a city centre.
One important thing for children to understand is that there is no single way to celebrate Diwali. Different families and religious traditions may celebrate in different ways.
What is Diwali?
Diwali, also written Deepavali, is often called the Festival of Lights.
It falls on a different date each year, usually during October or November, because the festival follows a lunar calendar.
Light is one of Diwali's best-known symbols. For many people it represents goodness, knowledge and hope overcoming darkness.
Homes and places of worship may be decorated with small lamps called diyas, candles and strings of lights.
Diwali has different religious meanings for different communities. Many Hindu families connect the festival with stories about Rama and Sita or with the worship of Lakshmi. Sikh and Jain communities also mark Diwali-related festivals and events with their own histories and meanings.
How is Diwali celebrated in the UK?
🪔 Lighting diyas
Small lamps may be placed around the home, near windows or beside decorations. Diyas are one of the most recognisable symbols of Diwali.
🌸 Creating rangoli
Families may create colourful rangoli designs using coloured powder, rice, flowers or other materials.
🍬 Sharing sweets
Boxes of mithai, or South Asian sweets, are often given to relatives, friends and neighbours.
🍛 Eating together
Families may prepare a special meal and spend time eating together with relatives and friends.
👗 Wearing special clothes
Some people wear new or festive clothes such as kurtas, saris, lehengas or other smart clothing.
🙏 Worship
Some Hindu families carry out puja at home or visit a mandir. Other communities may attend their own places of worship.
🎁 Giving gifts
Children may receive sweets or presents, while adults may exchange gifts with relatives and friends.
🎵 Community celebrations
Public events can include music, dancing, food stalls, performances and children's activities.
What might Diwali feel like for a child in Britain?
Imagine a dark autumn evening in Britain. Tiny lights glow around a doorway. A colourful rangoli pattern has been created near the entrance.
Inside the house, relatives are arriving. Children are talking and playing. Boxes of sweets are being opened and food is being prepared.
Later, the family might visit relatives, attend a place of worship or go to a community celebration.
For many children, Diwali is therefore not just about lamps. It is also about family, food, stories, faith and community.
Big Diwali celebrations in Britain
Diwali in London
London regularly hosts a large public Diwali celebration in Trafalgar Square.
Visitors may see music, dancing, performances, food stalls and family activities. The event also gives people who do not celebrate Diwali at home an opportunity to learn about the festival.
Diwali in Leicester
Leicester is particularly famous for its Diwali celebrations around the city's Golden Mile.
The area is known for elaborate lights and community celebrations that can include music, dancing, food, children's activities and public entertainment.
How do UK primary schools learn about Diwali?
Diwali may be explored through religious education, assemblies, stories, art, music and classroom activities.
Children might:
- look at a diya and discuss why light is important;
- design a rangoli pattern;
- hear a story connected with Diwali;
- learn Diwali vocabulary;
- compare different festivals of light;
- talk about how different families celebrate festivals.
A good lesson should also explain that not every Hindu family celebrates in the same way and that Sikh and Jain Diwali traditions have their own meanings.
Does everybody celebrate Diwali in the same way?
No.
Families can have different languages, regional traditions, religious beliefs and family customs.
| You might see | Remember |
|---|---|
| Diyas | Different families may use different lamps or decorations. |
| Rangoli | Patterns and materials vary. |
| Prayer | Different traditions have different forms of worship. |
| Special food | There is no single Diwali meal eaten by everybody. |
| Rama and Sita | Their story is important to many people but is not the only Diwali tradition. |
Why are Rama and Sita linked with Diwali?
One famous Hindu tradition connects Diwali with the return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after Rama defeated Ravana.
The story comes from the Ramayana, one of India's great ancient epics.
The Ramayana is much larger than the short episode usually told in children's Diwali lessons. It contains journeys, battles, friendships, difficult choices and many famous characters, including Hanuman.
Who is Lakshmi?
Lakshmi is a Hindu goddess associated with prosperity, good fortune and wellbeing.
Many Hindu families include Lakshmi Puja in their Diwali celebrations.
Children may see images of Lakshmi with lotus flowers, lamps and other symbols.
🎮 Build Your Diwali Discovery
Choose three things you would like to explore.
🧠 Diwali Quiz for Kids
My Diwali in the UK Activity Sheet
Name: ________________________ Date: ______________
Add patterns and draw the flame.
Try flowers, circles, dots and symmetry.
1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
One way Diwali is celebrated in the UK is:
_________________________
_________________________
Useful Diwali words
Festival of Lights
small lamp
decorative pattern
worship
sweets
ancient epic
prydain.co.uk • Free children's learning resource
Books for children learning about Diwali
Children who enjoy learning about Diwali may also enjoy exploring its stories, traditions and Hindu mythology in more detail.
Diwali For Kids: Why We Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights
A children's introduction to Diwali traditions, stories and celebrations.
View on Amazon UKDiwali for Kids: Deepavali Introduction & Celebrations
A child-friendly introduction to the Festival of Lights and its traditions.
View on Amazon UKRamayana for Kids
A useful next step for children interested in Rama, Sita, Hanuman and Ravana.
View on Amazon UKFirst Book of Hindu Gods
An introduction to Hindu gods, goddesses, stories and symbols for younger readers.
View on Amazon UKDiwali vocabulary for children
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Diwali / Deepavali | The Festival of Lights. |
| Diya | A small lamp. |
| Rangoli | A decorative pattern often created near an entrance. |
| Puja | An act of Hindu worship. |
| Mandir | A Hindu temple. |
| Mithai | South Asian sweets. |
| Lakshmi | A Hindu goddess associated with prosperity and good fortune. |
| Ramayana | An ancient Indian epic. |
Questions children ask about Diwali
Is Diwali a public holiday in the UK?
No. Diwali is widely celebrated in Britain, but it is not a UK-wide bank holiday.
When is Diwali?
The date changes each year and usually falls during October or November.
Where is Diwali celebrated in Britain?
Diwali is celebrated in homes and communities throughout Britain. London and Leicester are particularly well known for large public celebrations.
Do UK schools teach children about Diwali?
Many schools include Diwali in religious education, assemblies, art, stories or lessons about festivals and communities.
Do only Hindus celebrate Diwali?
Diwali is especially important in Hindu traditions, but Sikh and Jain communities also mark festivals and events connected with the Diwali period.
Why are lamps lit during Diwali?
Light can symbolise goodness, knowledge and hope overcoming darkness.
What does the Ramayana have to do with Diwali?
One well-known Hindu tradition links Diwali with Rama and Sita's return to Ayodhya after Rama defeated Ravana.
