A WIDE range of events celebrating Diwali are bringing music, culture and community celebrations to venues across Leicester, culminating in the city's Diwali Day celebrations on Sunday 8 November.
Leicester's annual Diwali programme will see the Golden Mile and venues across the city host a wide range of activities, celebrating the traditions and cultures that have helped make the city's festivities among the largest outside India.
The programme includes community celebrations, dance and music performances, exhibitions, workshops and family activities at locations including Attenborough Arts Centre, Leicester Cathedral, Haymarket Theatre, Curve and the Peepul Centre.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy Leicester's popular Wheel of Light, which is back on the Belgrave Road until Diwali Day, alongside the traditional lights that are once again illuminating the Golden Mile.
The celebrations will culminate on Diwali Day, Sunday 8 November, when the Diwali Village and stage return to Cossington Street Recreation Ground. The event will feature food stalls, family funfair and a community stage programme including Puja, a religious ceremony led by Leicester Hindu Festival Council.
And in a first for the 2026 celebrations, the Aakash Odedra Company will lead the stage finale with a new production bringing together Bollywood dance from Shiamak, theatre from Red Lotus and music from the Philharmonia Orchestra.
A unique aerial performance from suspended acrobat ‘Heliosphere’ and laser show will bring the evening to a dazzling end.
These new celebrations are being presented in partnership with Belgrave Business Association and Leicester-based arts organization, Inspirate.
The Har Har Rangoli exhibition at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre will also form part of the Diwali Day celebrations, showcasing the traditional art of rangoli on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November.
Cllr Vi Dempster, asst city mayor for culture said: "Diwali is one of the highlights of Leicester's cultural calendar and I'm delighted that we can offer this fantastic programme of events.
“Leicester's Diwali Day celebrations reflect the creativity and community spirit that makes our city so special, and I really value the partnership we have with the Leicester Hindu Festival Council to make this happen.
“From cultural performances to the traditional celebrations on the Golden Mile, there are opportunities for residents and visitors of all backgrounds to get involved and experience Leicester's Festival of Light.
“I would encourage everyone to come along, enjoy the celebrations and help make this year's Diwali another memorable occasion for our city."
Diwali, the festival of light, is celebrated by Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and is associated with the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair. Leicester's celebrations bring together residents and visitors from all backgrounds and have become one of the city's best-known annual events.
Full programme details and event information are available on the Visit Leicester website at: visitleicester.info/festival/diwali-in-leicester/