Diwali in Wolverhampton: Everything you need to know about the annual festival of light and what to expect on the night

Phoenix Park in Wolverhampton will once again be the setting for the Wolverhampton Diwali event, an event organised by Wolverhampton Council and set to bring Hindus, Sikhs and other members of the community to the Blakenhall area of the city.

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 religions, as well as a time for families to come together.

Ahead of the big celebration on Saturday, 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 symbolizes new beginnings and, 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.  

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 colored rice, sand, or flower petals. 

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 and in remembrance of the games of dice.

Where and when is the main celebration taking place in Wolverhampton?

​​​​The Diwali celebration event will take place at Phoenix Park, next to Dudley Road in the Blakenhall area of Wolverhampton.

The celebration is hosted by the Shree Krishan Mandir and will take place between 4pm and 8.30pm on Saturday, October 11.

The event is supported by the Indian Multicultural Society, Shree Krishan Mandir, Gurudwara Sikh Council and Gujrati Association.

What events will be taking place during the event?

There will be music on stage, with those in attendance able to enjoy performances from various cultural groups, including the headliner Badwal Palwan, Jodi Dancers, and other guest artists like Pargan Bhandal and Roshni Pink. 

There will also be food and drink provided at the event and funfair rides, while the main event of the evening will be the switching on of the lights and a spectacular fireworks display, with the night sky lighting up with thousands of fireworks.

What is the capacity of the event and will there be road closures?

The park has a capacity of 9,000 and people are advised to arrive early at Phoenix Park as the event will operate on a first come, first served basis. 

Once capacity has been reached, the gates will shut and a one in, one out system will be implemented.

There are no road closures in place on the day, but the area around Phoenix Park is expected to be busy all day, with Wolverhampton Council saying that measures may be in place between 8am and 11pm.

What have organisers and sponsors said about the event?

Councillor Chris Burden, Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for City Development, Jobs, and Skills said: “This is a great free event for all the family to celebrate Diwali, featuring entertainment and amazing firework display. 

"We encourage everyone to plan early and come along to celebrate this important event in the city’s calendar.”

Che Watson, Brindley Group Chairman, which is sponsoring the event, said: “The Brindley Group are proud to support Wolverhampton’s Diwali Mela this October - a vibrant celebration that brings communities together through culture, light, and joy.

“At Brindley Group, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve, and this partnership is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity and unity across the region.”

If you would like to trade at this year’s event or need any further information, contact Mr Raj Sharma on 07905705660 or by email: [email protected].