Seasonal
The 6 Best Diwali Events in London
Where to mark Diwali in London in 2026, from the free crowds at Trafalgar Square and the Annakut at Neasden to a quieter, very good dinner in Mayfair.
In short: our top picks are Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) and Diwali Fireworks Display, Byron Park. 6 places in total, chosen on merit, with the full reasoning below.
Diwali falls on 8 November in 2026, and London does it properly. The festival of lights is a moveable feast, so the dates shift each year, but the rhythm holds: a free daytime gathering in Trafalgar Square the Sunday closest to it, the temples lit and busy, fireworks out west, and a run on tables at the better Indian rooms. You can play it big and public or keep it to dinner and a candle on the windowsill. We have done both. What follows mixes the genuinely worthwhile events, the ones drawing tens of thousands and the ones worth the trek to Neasden, with three restaurants where a Diwali dinner means something more than a thali and a tea light. Book the food early. Everyone has the same idea.
| Place | Area | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square | Westminster | |
| BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) | Neasden | |
| Diwali Fireworks Display, Byron Park | Harrow | |
| Gymkhana | Mayfair | ££££ |
| Brigadiers | City of London | £££ |
| Dishoom Covent Garden | Covent Garden | ££ |
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Editor’s choice
Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square
Why we pick itThe Mayor's free Diwali celebration draws about 35,000 people for a single day of classical and Bollywood dance, devotional music and a square full of vegetarian and vegan food stalls. Held on the Sunday nearest the festival, so expect early November, and go early for the diya lighting before the crowds thicken.
Free outdoor festival
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BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple)
Why we pick itThe country's largest Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations happen under this carved Italian marble and Indian limestone. The Annakut on 9 November is the thing to see: hundreds of vegetarian dishes built into a mountain and offered before dawn. Free to attend, dress modestly, and leave time for the security queue.
Temple celebration and Annakut
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Diwali Fireworks Display, Byron Park
Why we pick itOut in the Harrow heartland of London's Gujarati community, this is the proper fireworks-and-funfair version of Diwali. The main display goes up around 7.45pm on Saturday 7 November, with rides, food stalls and a licensed bar before it. Ticketed, and noticeably cheaper if you book ahead rather than pay on the gate.
Fireworks and funfair
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Gymkhana
Why we pick itThe two-star JKS flagship, all ceiling fans and dark wood done up like a colonial members' club. The kid goat methi keema and the wild muntjac biryani sealed under pastry are the orders to build a Diwali dinner around. A grown-up, slightly clubby room that suits the occasion without any fuss about it.
Worth knowingTwo stars invite comparisons the kitchen does not always survive, and the gap between the best plates and the merely good ones can feel wide.
Michelin-starred North Indian
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Brigadiers
Why we pick itModelled on the army mess bars of India, this is the louder, more sociable JKS option: tandoors, charcoal grills and smokers turning out suckling pig vindaloo and proper kebabs, with sport on the screens and a long whisky list. Good for a big table that wants the celebration to run late.
Worth knowingSpicing varies between visits and portions are questioned against the price, in a room that gets genuinely loud once the City crowd arrives after work.
Indian barbecue and bar
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Dishoom Covent Garden
Why we pick itThe original of the much-loved Irani cafe chain marks Diwali with special vegetarian dishes such as mattar paneer and chole puri halwa, plus its annual Diwali party. No bookings for small groups, so come early or settle in at the bar downstairs with a chilli cheese toast while you wait.
Bombay cafe
Before you book
Diwali 2026 lands on Sunday 8 November, with Annakut on the 9th. Trafalgar Square and Neasden are free, no ticket needed; the Harrow fireworks are ticketed and cheaper booked online. Restaurant tables go fast around the festival, so reserve a fortnight ahead for Gymkhana and Brigadiers, and check Dishoom for its special Diwali dishes nearer the date.
Common questions
What are the top picks in this guide?
Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square is our editor's choice: The Mayor's free Diwali celebration draws about 35,000 people for a single day of classical and Bollywood dance, devotional music and a square full of vegetarian and vegan food stalls. Held on the Sunday nearest the festival, so expect early November, and go early for the diya lighting before the crowds thicken. Diwali on the Square, Trafalgar Square, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) and Diwali Fireworks Display, Byron Park lead the guide, with 6 places in total, all chosen on merit.
How does Lamplit London choose its recommendations?
Every place is chosen on merit, after first-hand visits where possible, with no pay-for-placement. Read our full method at https://www.lamplitlondon.com/how-we-choose/.
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