Leicester Diwali & Hindu Community Guide

Diwali on the Golden Mile

Leicester's Diwali is famous: thousands of lights line Belgrave Road — the "Golden Mile" — with a switch-on event about two weeks before Diwali and a celebration with fireworks on Diwali day, drawing visitors from across the UK and abroad.

Temples and community

Leicester has a large Gujarati and East African Indian community and many temples and community centres in the Belgrave and Rushey Mead areas, as well as a BAPS mandir.

Navratri

Garba nights fill community halls and larger venues across the city during Navratri.

Shopping

Belgrave Road and Melton Road are lined with sari shops, jewellers, sweet shops and grocers stocking puja items.

See live listings: temples in Leicester.

Why Leicester celebrates so big

Leicester's Indian community grew rapidly from the late 1960s and 1970s, including many Gujarati families who came from East Africa. Belgrave Road and the surrounding streets became the heart of the community, and the city now hosts one of the biggest Diwali celebrations in the world outside India, organised with the city council.

What to expect at Diwali

• The lights switch-on event about two weeks before Diwali, with music and dance
• Thousands of lights along Belgrave Road through the festival period
• A Diwali day celebration with fireworks
• Sweet shops and restaurants staying busy late into the evening

Visiting tips

Arrive early for the main events, use public transport or park-and-ride where offered, and dress warmly — Diwali in the English Midlands is often cold. Families with young children may prefer the quieter evenings between the big events.