Where is the Best Place to Spend Diwali?

Diwali casts a golden glow, illuminating temples, palaces, and city streets in a spectacle of light and devotion. The festival pulses with energy - from the flicker of countless oil lamps to the crackle of fireworks cascading over the night sky. Homes are decorated with marigolds, markets overflow with sweets and silks, and the air carries the scent of incense and true celebration. As one of the most colourful and deeply rooted festivals in the world, Diwali is an extraordinary way to experience worldly destinations at their most radiant. But where to begin? The best place to spend Diwali depends on whether you’re drawn to regal grandeur, spiritual sanctuaries, or the lively heart of urban festivities...

What is Diwali?

A festival that spans centuries and civilisations, Diwali, or Deepavali, derives its name from the Sanskrit word that means ‘row of lights.’ Deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, it celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. It is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, making it a favourable time to look towards new beginnings. 

While Diwali has mythology and faith at its core, it is a festival, so you can expect to see streets and cities illuminated flickering diyas (oil lamps made from clay), dazzling fireworks, and feasts that impress even the most well-travelled foodies. As families come together and cities throng with excitement, the exact reasons why Diwali is celebrated go beyond tradition. It’s a reaffirmation of hope, joy, and renewal.

India: The Heart of Diwali Celebrations

India is the birthplace of Diwali and the country where the festival’s importance is felt the most. As a predominantly Hindu nation, it plays host to the festival on an extraordinary scale, with each region bringing its own unique traditions to the celebration. The atmosphere is nothing short of electric, with homes decorated in marigolds, oil lamps and and torans (decorative door hangings) lining doorways, and fireworks bursting over the cities. The blend of spiritual devotion, age-old rituals, and sheer festivity makes India the best place to experience Diwali in all its splendour.

Delhi: The Capital Illuminated

If you want to see how Diwali is celebrated in India on a grand scale, Delhi is the perfect place to start. In the capital, markets explode with colourful decorations - diyas, marigold garlands, and rangoli - while landmarks like Akshardham Temple and India Gate are illuminated once night falls by lights and fireworks. The city’s Diwali melas (or fairs) sell everything from traditional sweets to handcrafted gifts, making it a great place to soak in the festive spirit.

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Jaipur: The Royal Glow

Rajasthan may be widely known as the ‘Pink City’, but it adopts all the colours of the rainbow during Diwali, turning particularly golden as its palaces and bazaars twinkle under thousands of fairy lights. We recommend a walk through Johari Bazaar, as shopfronts here compete for the best-lit display, and you’ll also experience the wonderful warmth of Rajasthani hospitality. If you’re after something truly special, a stay in a heritage hotel - perhaps the hand-carved marble hallways of Taj Rambagh Palace - grants a regal Diwali experience like no other. 

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Agra: A Monumental Celebration

While the Taj Mahal itself remains unlit to preserve the ivory-white marble, the rest of Agra comes to life with celebrations. Diwali in Agra is marked by spectacular fireworks over the Yamuna River and grand feasts featuring Mughlai delicacies. While you can’t go into the Agra Fort after sunset, you can ascend to one of its balconies in the late afternoon and spot the city preparing for the celebrations from up high, without as many crowds.

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Varanasi: A Spiritual Spectacle

For an unforgettable but not overdone experience, few places rival the Diwali celebrations in Varanasi. Folk artists and musical performances take place, the chants of prayers ring through the temples, the ghats of the Ganges glow with countless diyas floating on the sacred river, and crowds gather to observe the famous Ganga aarti ceremony by the sacred waterway in an incredible display of devotion. This is a city where Hindu rituals have been performed for centuries - in fact, it’s the country’s spiritual capital - which only amplifies the spiritual essence of why Diwali is celebrated: the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance.

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Amritsar: Where Faiths Unite

Amritsar in the Punjab is primarily associated with the Sikh religion, but that doesn’t mean this city’s Diwali celebrations are any less spectacular. For those of Sikh faith, Diwali simply means something a little different: the foundation of the religion’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple, and the release of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment. Because of this, Diwali is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Diwas, or Prisoner Liberation Day. The Golden Temple is of course the focus of the celebrations, and is bathed in the soft glow of thousands of lamps sat on the surrounding Amrit Sarovar tank and fireworks from overhead. Like in other cities, you’ll be able to hear devotional prayers and hymns.

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Beyond India: Where Else is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated on a grand scale in India as it is a largely Hindu country, but Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and followers of the ancient Indian religion of Jainism also take part. So, where is Diwali celebrated outside of India? Here are some standout destinations:

Singapore: Little India in Full Bloom

If you find yourself in Singapore during Diwali, a walk through Little India will take you straight to the heart of the festival. Serangoon Road, once the home of Indian immigrants and now a cultural hub of the city state, transforms into a glowing wonderland of intricate light installations. The community all work together to make the festival extra special, so the air is filled with the scent of incense and traditional Indian sweets, and cultural performances and vibrant street markets make it one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India.

Fiji: An Island Illuminated

With a significant Hindu population, Fiji embraces Diwali with open arms. The island nation becomes awash with the lights that symbolise the festival’s arrival, and traditional Hindu celebrations mix with the wonderful warmth of the Pacific island, making it an incredibly unique place to celebrate the festival.

England: Diwali in the Midlands & the South

London’s Diwali festivities, held in Trafalgar Square, bring together thousands of people in a dazzling display of dance workshops, music performances, and, of course, fireworks. It’s considered one of the biggest Diwali celebrations in the world outside India, showcasing the diversity of the South Asian community in the UK. You’ll also find some of the world’s largest celebrations further north in Leicester, where people arrive from far and wide to see thousands of decorative Diwali lights along the city’s ‘Golden Mile’. 

From the ancient Indian cities to the thriving Hindu communities across the world, the best place to spend Diwali depends on what you’re looking for – royal splendour, spiritual serenity, or a cultural melting pot of celebrations. Wherever you choose, you can expect an explosion of light, laughter, and tradition, qualities that make this festival so incredibly enjoyable.

Diwali 2025: When and What to Expect

Have we left you wondering when Diwali is celebrated in 2025? Mark your calendars, as this year Diwali falls on October 20th, 2025. The five-day festival includes:

• Day 1: Dhanteras – The festival begins with the purchase of gold and new utensils for good fortune.

• Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Diwali) – Homes are cleaned and diyas are lit to ward off evil.

• Day 3: Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali Night) – The most significant day, with prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, firework displays, and huge feasts.

• Day 4: Govardhan Puja – Celebrating Krishna’s protection of his devotees.

• Day 5: Bhai Dooj – A day dedicated to the bond between siblings.

FAQs About Diwali

Which religions celebrate Diwali?

While primarily a Hindu festival, Diwali is also observed by Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. They each add their own historical and spiritual significance.

Which countries celebrate Diwali?

Apart from India, Diwali is widely celebrated in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, and Australia, among others.

Where is the biggest Diwali in the world?

The biggest Diwali celebrations take place in India, particularly in cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Varanasi, where the festival takes over entire streets and famous landmarks.

Where is the biggest Diwali celebration outside of India?

London’s Trafalgar Square hosts one of the largest international Diwali events, while Little India in Singapore and Leicester in the UK also see grand festivities.

Do you say ‘Happy Diwali’?

Yes – “Happy Diwali” is the most common greeting, but you could also say “Shubh Deepavali” (pronounced sh-hub dee-pah-vuh-lee) for a more traditional touch.

Why is Diwali called the Festival of Light?

Diwali is called the Festival of Light because it symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This is celebrated by illuminating homes, streets, and temples with countless oil lamps and fireworks.

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