Diwali 2025: What it is and where you can join in celebrations during the annual festival of light in the West Midlands

The annual event marks one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism and is a huge part of the social calendar for those people of those religions, as well as a time for families to come together.

We've taken a look at what Diwali is, what is done to celebrate it and what people can expect from the big event in Wolverhampton.

What is Diwali?

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the spiritual victory of light over darkness and good over evil, with celebrations varying by religious tradition. 

Celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs, it symbolises new beginnings. For Hindus, it often marks the return of Lord Rama or welcomes the goddess Lakshmi, while Jains celebrate the enlightenment of Lord Mahavira and Sikhs the release of Guru Hargobind Ji.  

The name means 'rows of lamps', with those who are celebrating often decorating their homes with bunting, strings of lights, and oil lamps called diyas, along with table decorations designed using patterns from a traditional art form known as rangoli.

When is Diwali 2025?

Diwali is always sometime between mid-October and mid-November during the Hindu month of Kartika.

Celebrations take place over five days known as Dhanteras (Day of fortune), Naraka Chaturdashi (Day of knowledge), Diwali (Day of light), Annakut (New Year) and Bhai Duj (Day of love between siblings) and, in 2025, this runs between October 18 and 22.

The third day, which this year falls today (October 20) is regarded as the main and most important day.

Diwali is an official holiday in several countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Mauritius, and Myanmar.

What are some of the other traditions observed during Diwali?

During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangolis, consisting of elaborate designs made of coloured rice, sand, or flower petals. 

The skies over the region will light up with fireworks as part of Diwali.

The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success.

Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks. 

Gambling, especially in the form of card games, is encouraged as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year.

Why is Diwali on a different day every year?

Diwali is one of the religious festivals whose dates change every year, as happens with Islamic events and several Christian events.

The third day of the festival, which is the main Diwali night, is held on the darkest night of the lunar month, when there is a new moon, and is known as Kartik Amavasya (New Moon Day). 

It is the darkest night after the Hindu month of Ashvin has ended and the month of Kartika has begun and when the date of that new moon is known, the Diwali festival can be added to the calendar.

What happens on the five days of Diwali?

On day one, people clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune.

On day two, people decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.

On day three, on the main day of the festival, families gather together for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, followed by mouth-watering feasts and firework festivities.

Day four is the first day of the new year, when friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.

On day five, brothers visit their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal. 

What are some of the events happening across the region to celebrate Diwali?

Diwali at Wightwick Manor and Gardens

From Monday, October 13 to October 26, running from 11am to 5pm at Wightwick Manor and Gardens, Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton

Wightwick Manor is the setting for a fortnight of colourful displays.

Wightwick Manor and Gardens lights up with its first ever Diwali celebration. 

The historic house will be transformed in celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Light, offering a vibrant blend of South Asian heritage and the manor’s artistic legacy.

Fusion: A Diwali Installation invites visitors on a vibrant journey through the manor. Wander through rooms adorned with marigolds, symbolic of celebration and joy in Indian culture, and diya lamps, which represent the triumph of light over darkness.

Festival of Lights at Staffordshire University

Thursday, October 23 from 6pm to 10pm at Staffordshire University, College Road, Stoke-on-Trent

Staffordshire University will be hosting a full evening of Diwali entertainment.

The university is welcoming students, staff and the community to enjoy an evening of cultural fun celebrating Diwali.

Events during the event will include Henna and Rangoi art and other arts and crafts, as well as dancing and giveaways.

The event supports the good relationship the university has with the Sikh and Hindu communities in the city and wider Staffordshire area and will see local groups proving food and drink.

Diwali Community Day

Saturday, October 25 from 12pm to 4pm at the New Art Gallery at Gallery Square in Walsall

The New Art Gallery Walsall will feature an afternoon of Diwali-inspired activities.

The gallery will be celebrating the festival of light with an afternoon of cultural activities for old and young to enjoy.

Activities will include traditional stories of Diwali with international storyteller Peter Chand, lotus flower-making workshop with artist Daya Bhatti and the chance to listen to Manpaal Singh perform with tabla and percussion.

As well as that, there will be Bharatanatyam dance performances from Jnan Deep Kundu, authentic South Asian food, Mehndi from Mrs Bedi and colouring sheets for children & adults.