Diwali Celebrations 2025
Diwali 25th Anniversary
Celebrating 25 years of Northampton’s Winter Festival of Lights
Saturday 18th October 10am – 8pm
Northampton Town Centre – Market Square
Stalls open at 10am | Entertainment from 12pm | Parade starts at 6pm
This years is the 25th Anniversary of The Diwali Winter Festival of Lights in Northampton, organised by the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation Northampton, and supported by Northampton Town Council, West Northamptonshire Council, Northampton Town Centre BID, Inspiration Arts, Rost Productions Ltd, Inspiration FM, University of Northampton, Northampton College and Grosvenor Shopping Centre. The event is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Join the celebrations with cultural food and drink, community stalls, live stage entertainment, henna painting, arts and crafts, saree dressing and the spectacular Diwali lantern procession and magical parade, featuring breathtaking giant puppets including Harminder the elephant.
As 2025 also marks the 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton – the theme for Diwali this year will be commemorating this significant milestone in the town’s history and all are encouraged to wear colours of fire – the brighter the better!
The Story of Diwali
The Parade Route
The Diwali Procession of large-scale puppets, vehicles, community groups, schools and dignitaries will begin at 6pm.
Programme for the day
10am – 4pm
Stalls Selling Cultural food & drinks, community stalls.
12pm-4pm
Cultural experiences – traditional cultural game Karom, Arts & Crafts, Henna Painting, Saree Dressing, Exhibitions by local community groups plus more! Performances from members of Northampton community groups.
4pm
Music with Mark Dean of Inspiration FM.
4pm-4:30pm
Welcome Dignitaries & Candle lighting by Dignitaries.
4:30pm-5:30pm
Performances by young people from local organisations.
5:30pm
Preparation for Diwali Procession.
6pm-7pm
Diwali Procession – Traditional walk around the town centre with Diwali Lanterns.
7pm-8pm
Raj Tilak – Welcoming back of Lord Ram. Short speeches by Dignitaries. Diwali Lights Countdown: Switching on of the lights to mark the celebration of the Festival of Lights. PLUS Fireworks Finale!
The evening will finish with bhangra music and plenty of dancing!
Join the 25th Anniversary Celebrations!
Message from the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation
“May the warmth and splendour, that are a part of this auspicious occasion, fill your life with happiness and bright cheer, and bring to you joy and prosperity, for the whole year.”
Organised by the Indian Hindu Welfare Organisation (IHWO) Northampton.
Supported by Northampton Town Council, Northampton Town Centre BID, West Northamptonshire Council, University of Northampton, Inspiration FM, Grosvenor Shopping Northampton, Route Canal Arts, Rost Productions and Stageright Productions ltd.
Northampton Town Centre BID is proud to be a sponsor of the Diwali event.
Meet the Sponsors
Share your memories
