Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, when Hindu, Sikh and Jain families across London and the UK mark the festival of lights with Lakshmi Puja, oil lamps, fireworks, sweets and temple visits, on the same day that the nation gathers for Remembrance Sunday. The five-day festival began with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and Choti Diwali on Saturday 7 November, and in the UK Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj are expected on 9 and 10 November, a day earlier than in India because of the time difference, according to festival calendars. This year London's best-known public celebration, Diwali on the Square in Trafalgar Square, did not take place: the free event planned for Sunday 25 October was cancelled by the Diwali in London Committee the day before on expert safety advice about forecast storms, which were affecting preparations at the site. Celebrations instead move to temples, community centres and homes, as the Westminster newsroom of The WP Times reports.
Diwali is not a public holiday in the UK, but it is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in the country, with large gatherings in London, Leicester and Birmingham. In London, many families visit temples such as the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, while Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas at gurdwaras. Because Diwali coincides with Remembrance Sunday this year, families attending morning temple services may also observe the two-minute silence at 11am, and Westminster will see heavy security and road closures around Whitehall in the morning. Fireworks are a traditional part of Diwali, and under the Fireworks Regulations 2004 they may be set off until 1am on the night of Diwali, rather than the usual 11pm limit. Pet owners and neighbours are asked to be considerate, and fire services remind families to keep candles and diyas away from curtains and to supervise children around sparklers.
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Diwali 2026: the dates
The festival runs over five days, with the main celebration on the third day. Dates can vary slightly between communities and calendars.
The five days
| Day | Date in the UK | Observance |
|---|---|---|
| Dhanteras | Friday 6 November | buying gold, silver and new utensils for luck |
| Choti Diwali | Saturday 7 November | preparations and lighting of the first lamps |
| Diwali and Lakshmi Puja | Sunday 8 November | main day of worship, lights and fireworks |
| Govardhan Puja | Monday 9 November | offerings of food, the new year in some traditions |
| Bhai Dooj | Tuesday 10 November | celebration of brothers and sisters |
Why the dates move
Diwali is set by the Hindu lunar calendar and falls on the new moon in the month of Kartik. That means it moves each year between mid-October and mid-November in the Gregorian calendar.
What happened to Diwali on the Square
The Mayor of London's annual celebration in Trafalgar Square is one of the largest public Diwali events in the UK, drawing thousands of visitors.
"The safety of site teams, participants and visitors must come first."
(Diwali in London Committee, statement on the cancellation of Diwali on the Square 2026, Greater London Authority)
The planned programme
- A dance sequence by 200 dancers in the centre of the Square.
- A main stage of music and dance celebrating London's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities.
- Workshops on arts and crafts, storytelling, yoga, meditation and dance.
- Vegan and vegetarian food stalls and a Ramayana puppet show for families.
No new date announced
The Greater London Authority's announcement did not give a new date. Visitors were asked not to travel to Trafalgar Square on 25 October.
Where to celebrate Diwali 2026 in London
Without the Trafalgar Square event, Diwali 2026 in London is focused on places of worship and local community celebrations.
Temples and gurdwaras
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, one of the largest Hindu temples outside India, traditionally welcomes visitors over Diwali.
- Many temples in Wembley, Harrow, East Ham, Southall and Croydon hold evening aartis and fireworks.
- Gurdwaras mark Bandi Chhor Divas, the Sikh festival that falls at the same time.
- Visitors should dress modestly, remove shoes and check opening times before travelling.
Restaurants and markets
Many Indian restaurants in central London offer special Diwali menus, and sweet shops in Southall, Wembley and Tooting are among the busiest places in the capital in the days before the festival.
Diwali and Remembrance Sunday
This year the main day of Diwali 2026 coincides with Remembrance Sunday, when the National Service of Remembrance is held at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.
What it means in Westminster
- Whitehall and surrounding streets are closed for the morning ceremony.
- The two-minute silence is observed at 11am across the country.
- Families travelling into central London in the morning should allow extra time.
- Our guide to Remembrance Sunday 2026 has timings and how to watch.
Fireworks rules
Fireworks may not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on certain nights. On Diwali the curfew is extended to 1am, as it is on Chinese New Year and New Year's Eve. Breaking the curfew can lead to a fine.
Diwali 2026: questions and answers
When is Diwali 2026 in the UK
Sunday 8 November 2026.
Is Diwali a bank holiday in the UK
No. Diwali is not a public holiday, although some schools and employers allow time off.
Is Diwali on the Square happening in 2026
No. The event planned for 25 October was cancelled because of storm safety concerns, and no new date was announced.
Can I set off fireworks late on Diwali
Yes, until 1am on the night of Diwali under the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
What is Bandi Chhor Divas
It is the Sikh festival celebrated at the same time as Diwali, marking the release of Guru Hargobind from prison.
Background: Diwali in Britain
Diwali has been celebrated in Britain for decades, and the Trafalgar Square event has become one of the capital's best-known free festivals. Leicester's Diwali celebrations on the Golden Mile are among the largest outside India.
For more on what's happening in the capital, read our guides to London Christmas lights 2026 and London concerts in November 2026.
Sources used: Greater London Authority, Diwali in London Committee, Public Holidays UK, Hindu Tone, Fireworks Regulations 2004, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
