LEICESTER’S Golden Mile is set to close to traffic today to allow people to safely visit its restaurants and shops and celebrate Diwali Day.
Belgrave Road, and the junctions with its side streets, will be fully closed to all traffic on Monday 20 October, from 5pm until around 9.30pm. Numerous local parking restrictions will also in place throughout the event.
Thousands of colourful Diwali lights have been installed along the popular shopping street, with the Wheel of Light – a 110-foot illuminated Ferris wheel – set to return as a centrepiece.
However, visitors are being reminded that this year’s Diwali Day celebrations on the Golden Mile will look different.
There will be no stage entertainment or firework display at this year’s event. And Cossington Street Recreation Ground will no longer feature as part of the festivities.
The changes have been made following serious public safety concerns raised by the safety advisory group responsible for making recommendations on public events in the city. This is due to the massive crowd numbers the event has attracted in recent years.
Cllr Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for culture, said: “We hope people will celebrate this year’s Diwali Day on the Golden Mile. We’re closing Belgrave Road to traffic for the evening so that they can make the most of the restaurants, shops and fantastic festive lights as they celebrate with friends and family.
“However, we know that this year’s celebrations will feel different but our priority must be the safety of the public.
“We are absolutely determined that Diwali continues to be part of the city’s festive calendar. We will be working with partners and the local community to explore options for how the city builds on its proud tradition of bringing our communities together to celebrate the Festival of Light.”
A two-week programme of events and activities to celebrate Diwali is already under way in Leicester.
Highlights include the popular Rangoli exhibition at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre (until 20 October); Diwali crafts at Central and Belgrave libraries; and a Diwali light Garden at Highcross Leicester from 20 to 24 October.
Full details are included in the Diwali Leicester 2025 guide and online at visitleicester.info/Diwali
Diwali in Leicester is generously sponsored by Marshmallow car insurance, Barratt Homes and Lidl.